These "guru" types are always giving off the same vibes I get from institutions and mega churches like Arise, especially those that then make the transition to “Born Again Christian”. Suspect the venn diagram of them would just be a circle.
"To be conscious of the fact we’re alive and will one day be dead is an odd burden to bear"
To be honest, most of the time I just put my head down and avoid thinking about this, even as my joints start hurting. But then there is the curiosity of my 4 year old. I had him when I was 42. He thinks a person gets taller as they age: "When I am 9000 years old, I will touch the moon!". Recently he has been saying things like "When I am 60 years old, you will be..." and I think quietly to myself "...dead" and don't even know where to go with suggesting I won't be there, because at the moment he's still very invested in me being nearby and available for cuddles.
💕What a gift to have a 4yr old to give you perspective! With life expectancy improving in most places, and better information on how to keep healthy through diet & exercise + looking after mental health, you have good odds of being there for him for a good part of his adult life 👍🏾In the meantime, having such a good relationship in the here & now will ensure you are in his memory banks as a positive influence whether you are physically present or not - that is all we have control over in the end eh?
Seldom has so much meaningless word salad been spouted with so little substance behind it as by Russel Brand. And people mistake it for genuine verbal dexterity. Hah!
Netflix in NZ has most of classic Star Trek (TOS, ENT, DS9, TNG and VOY also the animated series) so as long as they have that I will keep it. Though of course I did keep all my "back in the day" DVD's and have a couple of devices that will play them. Its way less hassle to stream them though.
Yes, Paramount+ sucks big time apparently. This is of course par for the course in terms of studio executives not knowing what to do with the property or how to handle it. We actually get Disco and SNW on free to air TV which has a streaming adjunct as well. Unlike many so-called fans I mostly like Disco. I do think that SNW is fantastic though and I love that they do new things - even though I don't care for (say) musicals. But honestly a lot of the fan groups are so toxic I dont even go there.
I've given Disco a few shots, but I've found it's just not for me. But there's so many toxic, overly online haters that accuse it of "ruining" Trek which is just ridiculous.
I do love SNW, and you should give Lower Decks a shot if you haven't already. It's pretty much made for people who watch too much Star Trek (which is me).
I think once you start digging deeper into the festival itself and who Francis has aligned himself with (check out ISTA which has its own very complicated and problematic history) you’ll find a very messy web of lies and deceit. I know that the person quoted in the story definitely isn’t the only one who’s lost thousands and thousands to this con man. It’s really sad to see how easily he was able to manipulate vulnerable and hurting people within his community.
I feel so sorry that it’s managed to get this far and only now people have felt safe to speak out. I hope some of them see the light and are able to take legal action etc in hopes to get some of that money back.
Highly depressed to look this guy up on insta and see that a few male friends follow him. There should be some filter on social media where anyone you know who follows a list of people of your choosing (trump, rogan, Tate and Peterson spring to mind) are immediately removed.
🙋🏾♀️Proud to be a Webworm supporter - although we are often just having fun or sharing personal stories, this type of exposure of people who do harm (emotional, financial, physical) to 100's,1000's,1,000,000's of people who trust them, is truly worth every $$.
🤔In fact, in the interests of putting my $$ where my mouth is, I have donated a year's sub for someone who can't afford it right now - my recent mental health strategy of concentrating on things I CAN change/influence means I am cancelling some US based subs, because it is clear that all it does is make me anxious without any ability to fix anything as I can't vote or influence any decisions in the US, whereas in Aotearoa I do have some agency & can add my voice/$$ to others to support or oppose bad policy both locally & nationally.
I had some weird subconscious belief that by being AWARE it would somehow stop bad things happening over there, but 3 weeks of ignoring all but brief headlines freed my mind up (& frankly physical TIME) to do other things that make a personal difference to my daily life, but also engage more in local solutions/projects. It was sort of like being in a cult in some ways - obsessively checking articles & news updates instead of getting on with real life 🤷♀️
Webworm is the most influential forum I have engaged in - in terms of actually giving people a voice (e.g. mega churches & "gurus") plus the wonderful way the Worms support each other through the comments when appropriate. So pleased to read people sharing the real difference you make to people 💕- that is "success" in my book. But also in these times of the main stream media shrinking, Webworm exposes get picked up & covered when the stories would otherwise not be seen or heard.
On the "guru" front, sadly the internet has opened the way for direct communications between them & vulnerable followers, with their ability to restrict fact-checking & genuine critical feedback, such as was highlighted with this Franko weirdo (who I am pleased to say, I had not heard of!)
In the vein of megachurches and bad behaviour, I just saw this headline: "Lawyer for megachurch pastor blamed 12-year-old for initiating ‘inappropriate’ sexual conduct" (https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/robert-morris-gateway-church-lawyer-letters-cindy-clemishire-rcna160661) - and then I see it's based on things that happened in the early 1980s. So it's persistent and pervasive, and there are plenty who are interested in taking their power and authority and using that to suppress and exploit others, even within a "church" context.
That headline reads like there is somehow there is appropriate sexual conduct with a 12 year old girl. It should be as the news banner reads - child sex abuse
It is but one of several. See Dee Parsons at Wartwatch.com.
The SBC has been in denial over sexual abuse in the convention. After 2 years their database of predators has gone nowhere and has been file away to oblivion allowing predators to continue to move to fresh files to pray. The announcement cited unspecified roadblocks. It reveals a lack of interest. Meanwhile they continue to target trans kids and adults in their culture war who are suffering high rates of mental health issues due to being targeted and ostracised.
Love your work. Thank you. So tired of all these weirdos leading good folk down a hole… they offer black and white while we all just need to learn how to dance in the grey.
Webworm always makes it's way into my inbox when I'm getting ready for the day and racing to get my offspring to school. Hurrah for the school hols so I can sit and digest it and not be late for work. That's some great feedback David. What you do really does impact people. Whether that be to truly make them examine their lives, or just to let us giggle at your tomfoolery for a while. Thanks for it all. Have a great time in NZ. It's friggin cold right now so prepare yourself! Ka kite. 😊
I lived with a self styled Jesus, a right Russel Brand clone decades ago. We moved to Taupo for a summer when I was having a rough period. He was a good friend for a time. Last time I saw him I went to collect the last of my things, and he was ushering out the back door his 15 year old girl friend. We were almost 30. It was the previous 16 year old girl friend that gave me the icks about him.
A few months ago we had a woofer stay. He was a RB clone also. I overheard him on the phone "they dont understand us babe, we are on another level"... They all look and act the same. That first pic of Franko was an instant red flag. The white Jesus stylings give me the creeps.
OMG! This reminded me I had one of those in my life many moons ago, but fortunately was an already established feisty independent woman so clicked on to the BS before too much time passed. Strongest memory was telling me HOW to put up a tent I had owned & erected SOLO for some3-4 years! They think they know best about everything, or is it a way to undermine your confidence? Also the "White Jesus" look when I think back ...
I think its about control. I had an even stronger friend for a long time, not a guru type, but his undermining of confidence was def a theme. Pump you up with support and love, then chop you down with a cruel comment that hits a weak nerve. This once was one of my best friends and I still have room in my head for him. But, fuck, was he an asshole sometimes. I feel pity for him, and glad he doesnt know where I live and wont turn up one day.
My grandmother (RIP) was a very staunch Catholic and she had the obligatory picture of Jesus in her lounge. He was a white dude with long brown hair and soulful eyes. So the stereotype fits.
I wish more people were taught and understand that we are all just winging it, and that it’s ok. And it can be comforting to think we have it figured out (or that someone does), but oh how much beauty there is in the not knowing.
Just completed transit to New Zealand, but catching up on the comments now. Many, many thanks for reading!
Can we get a “worms all the way down” shirt?
Good work (as ever) on that Franko guy (eeew the gun tattoo). And Tautoko the woman who gave you such heartfelt feedback ♥️
These "guru" types are always giving off the same vibes I get from institutions and mega churches like Arise, especially those that then make the transition to “Born Again Christian”. Suspect the venn diagram of them would just be a circle.
"To be conscious of the fact we’re alive and will one day be dead is an odd burden to bear"
To be honest, most of the time I just put my head down and avoid thinking about this, even as my joints start hurting. But then there is the curiosity of my 4 year old. I had him when I was 42. He thinks a person gets taller as they age: "When I am 9000 years old, I will touch the moon!". Recently he has been saying things like "When I am 60 years old, you will be..." and I think quietly to myself "...dead" and don't even know where to go with suggesting I won't be there, because at the moment he's still very invested in me being nearby and available for cuddles.
💕What a gift to have a 4yr old to give you perspective! With life expectancy improving in most places, and better information on how to keep healthy through diet & exercise + looking after mental health, you have good odds of being there for him for a good part of his adult life 👍🏾In the meantime, having such a good relationship in the here & now will ensure you are in his memory banks as a positive influence whether you are physically present or not - that is all we have control over in the end eh?
I have ancestors who lived into their late 90s, and one who very nearly made it to 104, so...maybe?
I’m thinking you view this as pure maths - so the end of his sentence is 102 ❤️❤️❤️
A sensible answer that probably would satisfy. I look forward to being able to clean the guttering without a ladder ;)
Seldom has so much meaningless word salad been spouted with so little substance behind it as by Russel Brand. And people mistake it for genuine verbal dexterity. Hah!
Brand has become a modern role model in how to grift.
Webworm is one of the best things I pay for. I certainly get more out of it than say, Netflix.
Must be nice to have such a tangible example of the difference you're making in the world!
Joe - THANKS FOR SAYING
Feel fee to use "better than Netflix" in any future advertising.
Netflix in NZ has most of classic Star Trek (TOS, ENT, DS9, TNG and VOY also the animated series) so as long as they have that I will keep it. Though of course I did keep all my "back in the day" DVD's and have a couple of devices that will play them. Its way less hassle to stream them though.
Lucky! In the US they moved them to a different, worse streaming platform.
Yes, Paramount+ sucks big time apparently. This is of course par for the course in terms of studio executives not knowing what to do with the property or how to handle it. We actually get Disco and SNW on free to air TV which has a streaming adjunct as well. Unlike many so-called fans I mostly like Disco. I do think that SNW is fantastic though and I love that they do new things - even though I don't care for (say) musicals. But honestly a lot of the fan groups are so toxic I dont even go there.
I've given Disco a few shots, but I've found it's just not for me. But there's so many toxic, overly online haters that accuse it of "ruining" Trek which is just ridiculous.
I do love SNW, and you should give Lower Decks a shot if you haven't already. It's pretty much made for people who watch too much Star Trek (which is me).
I just realized the last sentence can read a bit sarcastic, but it's actually meant sincerely. (Or is it....)
I think once you start digging deeper into the festival itself and who Francis has aligned himself with (check out ISTA which has its own very complicated and problematic history) you’ll find a very messy web of lies and deceit. I know that the person quoted in the story definitely isn’t the only one who’s lost thousands and thousands to this con man. It’s really sad to see how easily he was able to manipulate vulnerable and hurting people within his community.
I feel so sorry that it’s managed to get this far and only now people have felt safe to speak out. I hope some of them see the light and are able to take legal action etc in hopes to get some of that money back.
Highly depressed to look this guy up on insta and see that a few male friends follow him. There should be some filter on social media where anyone you know who follows a list of people of your choosing (trump, rogan, Tate and Peterson spring to mind) are immediately removed.
Thank you for Webworm, David!
Absolutely what I am here for. Appreciate the support.
🙋🏾♀️Proud to be a Webworm supporter - although we are often just having fun or sharing personal stories, this type of exposure of people who do harm (emotional, financial, physical) to 100's,1000's,1,000,000's of people who trust them, is truly worth every $$.
🤔In fact, in the interests of putting my $$ where my mouth is, I have donated a year's sub for someone who can't afford it right now - my recent mental health strategy of concentrating on things I CAN change/influence means I am cancelling some US based subs, because it is clear that all it does is make me anxious without any ability to fix anything as I can't vote or influence any decisions in the US, whereas in Aotearoa I do have some agency & can add my voice/$$ to others to support or oppose bad policy both locally & nationally.
I had some weird subconscious belief that by being AWARE it would somehow stop bad things happening over there, but 3 weeks of ignoring all but brief headlines freed my mind up (& frankly physical TIME) to do other things that make a personal difference to my daily life, but also engage more in local solutions/projects. It was sort of like being in a cult in some ways - obsessively checking articles & news updates instead of getting on with real life 🤷♀️
Webworm is the most influential forum I have engaged in - in terms of actually giving people a voice (e.g. mega churches & "gurus") plus the wonderful way the Worms support each other through the comments when appropriate. So pleased to read people sharing the real difference you make to people 💕- that is "success" in my book. But also in these times of the main stream media shrinking, Webworm exposes get picked up & covered when the stories would otherwise not be seen or heard.
On the "guru" front, sadly the internet has opened the way for direct communications between them & vulnerable followers, with their ability to restrict fact-checking & genuine critical feedback, such as was highlighted with this Franko weirdo (who I am pleased to say, I had not heard of!)
You are fucking awesome. Thanks, Cindy. I happily give out free subs, so this genuinely helps offset that side of things!
this is a good idea. thanks.
In the vein of megachurches and bad behaviour, I just saw this headline: "Lawyer for megachurch pastor blamed 12-year-old for initiating ‘inappropriate’ sexual conduct" (https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/robert-morris-gateway-church-lawyer-letters-cindy-clemishire-rcna160661) - and then I see it's based on things that happened in the early 1980s. So it's persistent and pervasive, and there are plenty who are interested in taking their power and authority and using that to suppress and exploit others, even within a "church" context.
That headline reads like there is somehow there is appropriate sexual conduct with a 12 year old girl. It should be as the news banner reads - child sex abuse
It is but one of several. See Dee Parsons at Wartwatch.com.
The SBC has been in denial over sexual abuse in the convention. After 2 years their database of predators has gone nowhere and has been file away to oblivion allowing predators to continue to move to fresh files to pray. The announcement cited unspecified roadblocks. It reveals a lack of interest. Meanwhile they continue to target trans kids and adults in their culture war who are suffering high rates of mental health issues due to being targeted and ostracised.
Especially within a church context. FIFY 😊
I think that "if he looks white Jesus, run" is an okay heuristic in this day and age.
Obviously the exception to this rule is Hozier 😅
I totally thought about him when posting that comment! Definitely doesn't fit. 💖
Love your work. Thank you. So tired of all these weirdos leading good folk down a hole… they offer black and white while we all just need to learn how to dance in the grey.
Hurrah! Nicely put.
Webworm always makes it's way into my inbox when I'm getting ready for the day and racing to get my offspring to school. Hurrah for the school hols so I can sit and digest it and not be late for work. That's some great feedback David. What you do really does impact people. Whether that be to truly make them examine their lives, or just to let us giggle at your tomfoolery for a while. Thanks for it all. Have a great time in NZ. It's friggin cold right now so prepare yourself! Ka kite. 😊
I lived with a self styled Jesus, a right Russel Brand clone decades ago. We moved to Taupo for a summer when I was having a rough period. He was a good friend for a time. Last time I saw him I went to collect the last of my things, and he was ushering out the back door his 15 year old girl friend. We were almost 30. It was the previous 16 year old girl friend that gave me the icks about him.
A few months ago we had a woofer stay. He was a RB clone also. I overheard him on the phone "they dont understand us babe, we are on another level"... They all look and act the same. That first pic of Franko was an instant red flag. The white Jesus stylings give me the creeps.
OMG! This reminded me I had one of those in my life many moons ago, but fortunately was an already established feisty independent woman so clicked on to the BS before too much time passed. Strongest memory was telling me HOW to put up a tent I had owned & erected SOLO for some3-4 years! They think they know best about everything, or is it a way to undermine your confidence? Also the "White Jesus" look when I think back ...
I think its about control. I had an even stronger friend for a long time, not a guru type, but his undermining of confidence was def a theme. Pump you up with support and love, then chop you down with a cruel comment that hits a weak nerve. This once was one of my best friends and I still have room in my head for him. But, fuck, was he an asshole sometimes. I feel pity for him, and glad he doesnt know where I live and wont turn up one day.
My grandmother (RIP) was a very staunch Catholic and she had the obligatory picture of Jesus in her lounge. He was a white dude with long brown hair and soulful eyes. So the stereotype fits.
Always pay attention to the "ick", particularly if you are a woman.
I wish more people were taught and understand that we are all just winging it, and that it’s ok. And it can be comforting to think we have it figured out (or that someone does), but oh how much beauty there is in the not knowing.