Popular Front Violent Rationalism: The Technocult Militancy of the Zizians
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Feb 28, 2025 Max Read, a journalist and creator of the Read Max Substack, dives deep into the Zizians, a militant cult behind a series of violent incidents. He reveals their bizarre beliefs rooted in cybersigilism and examines the unsettling rationalism that justifies their actions. The discussion touches on the unsettling dynamics of their community, blending authority with cult-like behavior, and explores how rationalism can spiral into extremism. Read also highlights the implications of echo chambers within intellectual subcultures, drawing chilling parallels to the Zizians' radical ideology.
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Zizian Violence
- The Zizians, a militant US-based cult, killed seven people over several years.
- Their violent acts include a shootout with a border patrol agent and the murder of a landlord with a samurai sword.
Killing as Commitment
- The Zizian killings appear to be driven by a belief in the necessity of killing.
- Ziz, the cult leader, reportedly pressured members to kill as a demonstration of commitment.
Ziz and Rationalism
- Ziz, a trans woman from Fairbanks, Alaska, became involved in the Bay Area rationalist movement.
- Disillusioned by accusations of sexual harassment within the movement, she developed her own ideology.