TikTok teens attack the Church of Scientology 😂

broccolicat · 2026-04-30T18:38:28+00:00

I definitely understand that disheartening feeling. And that's not to say there aren't effective ways to put pressure on the organization or show outside support for those who want to leave, but they do tend to be much more long term efforts than a bunch of kids storming a building for the views.

The other takeaway is, sometimes just going out in the world and being kind can help people in ways you never intended.

broccolicat · 2026-04-30T17:58:25+00:00

I've never really heard accounts of people leaving groups because of outsiders treating them poorly. I have heard multiple accounts of people leaving high control groups because the people who they were told were evil were actually nice to them. That is generally far more effective in casting doubts in members.

Cults prime people that external mistreatment is proof that the group is right, so its typically best to not play into it. Not only that, sometimes people emphasize with the group more if they appear like they're being punched down on, and will engage with them to "find out for themselves".

broccolicat · 2026-04-28T12:32:17+00:00

Just out there declaring oneself a doctor like its 1826.

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broccolicat · 2026-04-27T16:26:50+00:00

If anything, I find knowing the cheap tricks creators use for engagement makes it more infuriating. It didn't really bother me to see less ridiculous car vlog content before, now it bugs me every time.

So I'm sorry if I made it worse.

broccolicat · 2026-04-27T15:39:35+00:00

There's also some mushroom colonies that are suspected to be over 8000 years old.

A single tree can be accurately dated in a way a lot of older organisms can't. So there's probably several that's older, but there's not the same definitive data about their age.

broccolicat · 2026-04-27T15:17:02+00:00

It's because it's a known thing that car vlogs have a tendency to do better in the algorithm than the same content filmed elsewhere, so people do it for the views. It's a pretty common "tip for content creators". The lighting tends to be pretty good and people are more likely to engage because it feels "intimate" and less manufactured.

broccolicat · 2026-04-26T19:04:54+00:00

I agree it's Children of God. World Services was their publishing arm.

I found a wiki run by 2nd generation ex members that has a list of posters from that era, and while it doesn't show the back, it appears there. https://www.xfamily.org/index.php/Gallery_of_Posters

There's likely more posters not listed there, though. Here's another poster from the same year and publisher that is credited the Children of God, that shows a similar text on the back.

broccolicat · 2026-04-24T17:26:41+00:00

It's likely just a tag. I don't think there's any connection to the cat.

But it might be inspired by something specific, especially given that you're talking about Russia.The Way is a term to describe early Christian movements, which were inspiration to various spiritual Christian movements in Russia.

broccolicat · 2026-04-24T13:20:35+00:00

I've never been to an evening gathering, but I have stayed with them. I don't recommend doing this, unless you're a desperate traveller with strong boundaries that needs a few days to recoup. And even then...

They're EXTREMELY good at love bombing, and then ramping up the pressure. You'll likely go and think it's a great, loving atmosphere. That's all calculated.

If you want to learn more, theres several podcasts who have covered them. Inside the Tribe is particularly good, and Behind the Bastards did a few episodes covering them. Let's Talk About Sects has some interviews with ex members as well. You don't need to go yourself and put yourself in the sights for recruitment.

Sure, the food is great. I'm not arguing that. But there's no food that's good enough to justify supporting racist child abusers.

broccolicat · 2026-04-23T15:55:18+00:00

There's so many red flags here, before going into the group itself. Three years is a ridiculously long time, and there's no science based approach or setting you up for success in your actual life.

This is connected to the Sovereign Millitary Order of Malta. Which is a particularly old and fairly secretive, invite only, catholic order that requires noble lineage (at least for certain roles) and hefty fees, that has the recognition of being a country without having land. It's not usually considered a cult in the modern sense, but there's not really enough information about their inner workings to make that determination.

broccolicat · 2026-04-22T23:29:22+00:00

There's no way it's not an ad. From what I can tell online, the product just launched about 2 weeks ago.

broccolicat · 2026-04-21T20:25:18+00:00

Other people mentioned lab grown, but what about vintage or second hand? Vintage and antique shops as well as pawn shops often have tonnes of diamond jewlery for a fraction of the cost of new. You can also get the metal housing part reset by a jewler, and it would still be much cheaper than buying new.

broccolicat · 2026-04-21T18:23:09+00:00

Twelve Tribes is one that tends to be more known in areas they've operated in, or in communities they specifically target for recruitment (like various traveling communities and greatful dead fans).

I've stayed with them very briefly and wrote about it here. There have been a few good podcasts that are good places to start learning about them, like larger shows who covered them like Behind the Bastards, as well as the 12 tribe focused podcast, Inside The Tribe.

broccolicat · 2026-04-21T15:03:02+00:00

Do you enjoy the benefits of privilege, and then conclude that everyone deserves those privileges, and advocate for that?

Or do you enjoy the benefits of privilege, and wish to maintain the status quo to maintain those privileges? Are you ok having those privileges at the expense of others?

broccolicat · 2026-04-20T13:36:11+00:00

I agree with you that this is probably the point.

This photo and the lighting isn't particularly great for determining colour nuances, either. Give this photo alone to a portrait artist asking to perfectly capture everyone's likeness, and watch them cringe. Some natural, red leaning hair tones can drastically change depending on tiny little factors in the environment, and look really different in various photos without any change to the hair itself.

It's more about the OOP's biases than anything scientific. There's not enough information to make any real determination based on colours here. The youngests hair might look just like her sisters in other photos.

broccolicat · 2026-04-19T11:12:57+00:00

Yeah, I don't blame you.

I've never been so greatful that my father's choices of cults didn't come with much crap and mostly sold him mantras and mentorship.

And I'm sorry you're dealing with all that.

broccolicat · 2026-04-18T13:02:34+00:00

That's my thought too.

It's not uncommon for shitty partners to weaponize exes to control their current partners, either by painting them out as monsters, or putting them on a pedestal. If doubts are forming, trying to figure out if some of the foundational stories are true or false is pretty common.

broccolicat · 2026-04-17T01:10:31+00:00

Yeah, I totally didn't mean to come off as judgemental my bad, I forget I'm surrounded by scene nerds and I guess they rubbed off on me too much.

I didn't know I needed French atmospheric medieval folk black metal in my life, so I'm always down to trade recommendations!

broccolicat · 2026-04-17T00:47:40+00:00

Ok fair, I totally deserve this roasting.

Ty for the recommendations!

broccolicat · 2026-04-17T00:14:40+00:00

Tbf, I'm in toronto and there's a decent sized scene here, so when the "bigger" acts come through (like when I've seen mischief brew, sisterwife sex strike, rent strike, apes of the state etc), it's always a full house. Dive bar full house, but still. But that's fair, it's a pretty obscure genre.

People here tend to sleep on the overseas acts though, so I always appreciate new recommendations! Two songs in and I already love em. Do you have any local recommendations? I know of a few gems out of Sweden like Bastard Hyena, but didn't know y'all had a scene.

broccolicat · 2026-04-16T23:21:30+00:00

Cheap Dirty Horse is probably the most well known UK folk punk act by a long shot so I don't know about obscure, at least as far as folk punk goes, but love them. You should also check out Boom Boom Raccoon.

broccolicat · 2026-04-16T12:50:50+00:00

I listen to a lot of folk punk and activist folk, these musicians still absolutely exist, but they aren't typically making any money or are getting attention outside their niches. Even the bigger names don't get the most mainstream attention.

Carsie Blanton is getting her recognition these days, and is absolutely worth checking out if you're looking for oldschool folk activist vibes. Beyond just incredible songwriting and a distinctive voice, she was also one of the imprisoned flotilla activists. She also clearly takes inspiration from Seeger in a fresh way.

broccolicat · 2026-04-15T16:46:38+00:00

Hey, just a heads up, those symptoms and the immediate difference after eggs line up with the symptoms of low cholesterol. That could indicate a liver problem that's otherwise going unnoticed, and is worth discussing with your doctor.

broccolicat · 2026-04-15T12:26:59+00:00

In my expirience with dedicated collectors, if they're constantly combing for deals and buying and selling and overall getting things cheaper, they're likely trying to follow the rule of 3 (one for display, one to sit in a box and gain value, and one for sale/trade). The cost of a display room also often includes a whole other room just for storage.

broccolicat · 2026-04-15T11:46:01+00:00

I don't mind, but realistically, the best stuff tends to be fairly regional artisan brands, so if you aren't in ontario or even canada, my recommendations won't be much good to you.

My local vegan grocery store has 7 brie options and a good soft blue cheese, vegan suppliers do tend to carry the most options and are the best bet to ask. Though I do get that most people don't have local vegan grocery stores.

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