Today, Explained
The Zizian "death cult"
Mar 6, 2025
Max Read, a journalist and owner of the ReadMax newsletter, dives into the chilling world of the Zizians, a cult born from Silicon Valley's Rationalist movement. They discuss the group's radical ideologies, particularly their controversial views on morality and AI safety. The conversation unpacks the cult's descent into violence, including a fatal incident involving a Border Patrol agent. Read also highlights the psychological manipulation by their leader, Ziz, and the modern anxieties propelling individuals toward extremist beliefs.
29:55
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- The Zizians, led by Ziz, evolved from Rationalist ideals into a militant group, justifying violence against perceived injustices like factory farming.
- Escalating tensions with law enforcement highlighted the group's radicalization, leading to serious crimes and challenges to civil rights within their belief system.
Deep dives
The Rise of the Zizians
The Zizians emerged from the Rationalist movement, which encourages rational thinking and reasoning to achieve better outcomes in various areas of life. A key figure in this group is Ziz, a computer programmer who attracted followers through unconventional ideas, including the belief that animal lives are equal to human lives. Ziz proposed extreme measures against perceived injustices in factory farming, admitting a willingness to resort to violence in pursuit of these beliefs. Through her influence, Ziz fostered a sense of obligation among her followers to act on her radical principles, eventually leading them into conflict with the law.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
