The Emergence of the Zizians: Cult Dynamics in Internet Culture

This chapter examines the rise of the Zizians, a group shaped by 2009 internet culture and influenced by pickup artist ideals. It explores how their decentralized structure and shared unsettling beliefs link followers while drawing parallels with broader cult dynamics. The discussion highlights the nuances of subcultures, the manipulation of community bonding, and the potential for ordinary fan communities to evolve into harmful cult-like behaviors.