That link factnet is not working. Mainstream media is full of so much crap, that I really never trust it anyway, unless I can prove what they are saying.
While you aren't a cult in the true definition of the term you could be construed as the leader of an audience cult. The cult mentality of many listeners may actually fit that description. They don't think, they listen and believe. Your intent would have no bearing upon their behaviors
You know like the AJ audience cultists or the people that tune in to Noory and others. They don't think. They tune in to be programmed, told what to think and believe.
This exactly what people do to you, when you think a little bit differently than they do. Media attacks, senseless claims, complete lies... State and the media, now THAT is a cult.
Even the most docile church with the best of intentions is closer to a cult than anything you have to offer. Don't let them get to you. You do not owe anyone an explanation. Besides, explaining clear truth to an obfuscated mind is nearly futile.
Hi Stef. Having just listened to your entire interview with Tom and Whipple I am enormously impressed by Tom's maturity. His mum should be proud of him and ashamed of herself.
I agree that you do not lead a cult, but even mentioning legal action is a disgrace in the context of libertarian philosophy. You do not own your reputation since it only exists in the minds of others.
In a broader sense, I hope one day that you will come to reject the idea of intellectual property, as many if not most of the anarchist thinkers have.
It does seem so truly ridiculous that you should have to do a show on this stuff Stef. I guess people though really they do know FDR is not a cult but feel they need some sort of nasty, vicious accusation to loosely throw about the place in order to deal with their anxieties and fears.
The ending to this video is particularly moving and I'll certainly be posting it on my blog :)
hey stef, i cannot join the freedomain radio site... it wont allow me to register. im sorry for what i did before but your website has made me a better person.
It's standard mass media showing their great standards! Kid declaring independence doesn't get ratings, but kidnapping and brainwashing todays youth sure does!
I know he felt it necessary to make a video defending himself. But if anyone with any intellect at all watches a few of his videos, I think the last thing that would occur to you is the word CULT! I mean come on! It's information, not a group or club! No money involved. What more can I say?!
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
well the accusation applies more to his forum where questioning stef's ideas is subtley forbidden, as people quickly get banned. Because some of the regular, kind of dweeby weak people know this they just follow everything stef says in a kind of creepy way. He makes good videos and podcasts thoguh.
I have disagreed with Stef in the forums a lot of times and seen a lot of people question the validity of his claims and argue apposing points. I've haven't been banned nor the people who disagree with him. The only people who get banned are the ones who are verbally abusive.
Not true at all. I read the forums regularly and have seen plenty of people having been banned for no good reason. Accusations of 'rudeness' sometimes come up but people who agree with stef are rude to people who disagree all the time and they never get banned. I like the podcasts stef puts out but to deny this is wilful ignoring of the facts imo.
If you had to recomend a type of clothing that a listener should wear while listening to your pod casts would you say... sweat pants? maybe some nice nike foot wear? what is your drink of choice? and what color... I'm just yanking your chain I just stated listening to your pods and so far they are very interesting... peace
I'm a subscriber, I've seen many of your videos, bought one of your books, and read some of the threads on your forum. In my judgement, the cult claim is turning things upside down. It's an example of the kind of bullshitting often used in political debates called "framing". For more on such debating methods, read the following two Wikipedia entries: "Bullshit" and "Framing_(social_sciences)".
Some canadian gazette sent me an email about stefbot in December and I referenced my vids, mentioning his similarity to that of a religion. Now I'm curious??
Now stefbot responds with this pedantic "refutation" pointing to 'standards', 'definitions' and asks us to stick with THESE (cherries) which HE has picked. As if the gravity of his sophisticated idealism doesn't thwart the naive (note cult 4 above).
Note his admitting & differing guilt in 'cult 8'. Abandon the family , taking of time.
It's truly a tragedy that you must make these two vids. It's a testament to how far the truth has come, but a stark reminder of how much further it still has to go.
"It's truly a tragedy that you must make these two vids. It's a testament to how far the truth has come, but a stark reminder of how much further it still has to go.
Do what you gotta do, my man. "
Im very sorry, i was meant to do a positive thumb for your comment and accidentally clicked the negative thumb!!!
Freedom is somewhat like slavery, to those who can't function on their own. People become slaves to their own lack of ambition. Nature used to weed them out. Freedom allows successful, sustainable methods of living to win and failing ones to fail. Why would people who live failed lives vote for more freedom. It is the very reason they fail!
I was in a real cult, Scientology. Let me just say you might disagree with Stef but he does not even come close to a cult leader.
Stef talks about big topics and people are going to strongly disagree. Just because someone challenges your world view does not mean that you should make false statements to damage that person or the listeners. They scared of his ideas and the effects of not believing in fairy tales.
I don't know the legal system in Canada, but here in the states, defamation of character, and slander, are actionable in civil courts.
It's just a suggestion, but if I were you, I would look into lawsuits against any media outlet, and/or persons, that out and out lied about you, and defamed your good character.
"All press is good press. " I think it's true. I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if the listenership increases as a result of the media articles. The people who are actually interested in ideas will look past the typical media crap and find value in FDR. Those who can't look past the media crap and simply accept it at it's word are really only interested in the ideas they prefer to believe, and thus will have no interest in Philosophy.
Increased FDR listenership would be awesome. I'm a fan. Stef is a man of great integrity (my opinion). As long as Stef knows when and where the shots are being fired from he can protect himself. It's absolutely mind blowing that he is accused of being a cult leader. Mainstream media used it's power to sell 9/11 and the war in Iraq. Mainstream media can crush FDR and anyone they want. That is not good press.
Protection is a numbers game. How many people have read about the FDR cult? So far there are 1823 views of this rebuttle, of which, I will assume 99% of them were members of the choir. What is the effectiveness of this counter attack? What will happen if they keep firing at FDR?
Maybe just ignoring all the bullshit coming from the mainstream media is the best way to go. It may even be a good thing that they are attacking you at this point. It's better than being ignored.
Arguing over semantics will achieve nothing. You should be arguing against what people perceive to be "sinister" about FDR, not against a dictionary definition of cult.
I can not believe people have called you a cult. If there was anything said your the OPPOSITE of a cult. Seriously I am quite astonished and repulsed on the intelligence of people who have made these statements.
I consider myself quite intelligent and have agreed and disagreed (on very small things) on all different levels.
Well, I guess when you set out on a mission to deprogram cult members, all the cults (family, religion, state, media) are going to attack you for threatening their livelihood.
It's sad that there's even a need to post a rebuttal video to such absurd claims of being a "cult", but as always you tackle the issue (and your critics) with poise and intellectual rigor!
The point of philosophy is to start with something so simple as not to seem worth stating, and to end with something so paradoxical that no one will believe it.
looool cult leader...haha ....i've seen your videos and your a very smart man :) nd the douchebags that say your a cult are just misinformed people cant really hate on them..just laugh it off with them
Is this true true news? Are you a cult of ego? Or is this maybe not quite sure news? or true news? Are you becoming a god? ;-)
lostinthelandoflies 1 year ago
That link factnet is not working. Mainstream media is full of so much crap, that I really never trust it anyway, unless I can prove what they are saying.
NWOSupporter2012 1 year ago
Does this mean he does not have somebody lock up in the basement?
LibertyJedi 2 years ago
Scientology fits all of these descriptions.
GodOfTheInternets 2 years ago 2
haha dude u rocked that
ssips720 2 years ago
While you aren't a cult in the true definition of the term you could be construed as the leader of an audience cult. The cult mentality of many listeners may actually fit that description. They don't think, they listen and believe. Your intent would have no bearing upon their behaviors
You know like the AJ audience cultists or the people that tune in to Noory and others. They don't think. They tune in to be programmed, told what to think and believe.
It's a big brush. It's just a thought.
Slavestorms 2 years ago
a) FDR listeners cannot think or criticize.
a) You have listened to the show.
b) You can think and criticize.
Therefore your arguments fails I'm afraid :)
stefbot 2 years ago
Cult of truth perhaps.
Meanie83 2 years ago 2
Thank you, Stefan
origin47 2 years ago
Rock on dude, keep it going!!!!! And the last thing you are is a cult!!
12stepfailure 3 years ago
The media sure does have egg on its face. Their actions speak for itself.
Victorprossartcom 3 years ago
This exactly what people do to you, when you think a little bit differently than they do. Media attacks, senseless claims, complete lies... State and the media, now THAT is a cult.
Velrity 3 years ago 3
What you said was fair. I wouldn't accuse you of brainwashing more than any other reasonable academic.
flaze3 3 years ago
They are like termites. They will destroy most of people sooner or later. And more you try, the harder they hit. Know it from my experience.
HCLivess 3 years ago
Even the most docile church with the best of intentions is closer to a cult than anything you have to offer. Don't let them get to you. You do not owe anyone an explanation. Besides, explaining clear truth to an obfuscated mind is nearly futile.
mrethrift 3 years ago 5
Hi Stef. Having just listened to your entire interview with Tom and Whipple I am enormously impressed by Tom's maturity. His mum should be proud of him and ashamed of herself.
philonymous 3 years ago
your philosophy sounds very much what Jiddu Krishnamurti talks about, i think its a good thing, lots of fact finding and seeing things as are
Jangaboo 3 years ago
At least you know that you've succeeded in growing your audience. You know how it goes... they only fight you when you're having an effect.
conquesimo 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
It's so silly to try to deny the obvious fact that FDR is culty as fuck.
anarch0atheist 3 years ago
Lol... how so?
esalian9 3 years ago
I agree that you do not lead a cult, but even mentioning legal action is a disgrace in the context of libertarian philosophy. You do not own your reputation since it only exists in the minds of others.
In a broader sense, I hope one day that you will come to reject the idea of intellectual property, as many if not most of the anarchist thinkers have.
spires1212 3 years ago
It does seem so truly ridiculous that you should have to do a show on this stuff Stef. I guess people though really they do know FDR is not a cult but feel they need some sort of nasty, vicious accusation to loosely throw about the place in order to deal with their anxieties and fears.
The ending to this video is particularly moving and I'll certainly be posting it on my blog :)
candburd 3 years ago
hey stef, i cannot join the freedomain radio site... it wont allow me to register. im sorry for what i did before but your website has made me a better person.
bkunwar 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
stefbot brainwashed the wrong kid hehe
erdal0 3 years ago
It's standard mass media showing their great standards! Kid declaring independence doesn't get ratings, but kidnapping and brainwashing todays youth sure does!
walkerindarkness 3 years ago
Slander is a state law that infringes on individual liberty surely stef... You'd use the state courts and laws against people you dislike?
davyjames 3 years ago
I agree with minteko who said the government's a cult. Not surprising the child's mom is a politician.
UnhealthySalad 3 years ago
I know he felt it necessary to make a video defending himself. But if anyone with any intellect at all watches a few of his videos, I think the last thing that would occur to you is the word CULT! I mean come on! It's information, not a group or club! No money involved. What more can I say?!
jerami101 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
well the accusation applies more to his forum where questioning stef's ideas is subtley forbidden, as people quickly get banned. Because some of the regular, kind of dweeby weak people know this they just follow everything stef says in a kind of creepy way. He makes good videos and podcasts thoguh.
davyjames 3 years ago
I have disagreed with Stef in the forums a lot of times and seen a lot of people question the validity of his claims and argue apposing points. I've haven't been banned nor the people who disagree with him. The only people who get banned are the ones who are verbally abusive.
bobbincygna 3 years ago 7
Not true at all. I read the forums regularly and have seen plenty of people having been banned for no good reason. Accusations of 'rudeness' sometimes come up but people who agree with stef are rude to people who disagree all the time and they never get banned. I like the podcasts stef puts out but to deny this is wilful ignoring of the facts imo.
davyjames 3 years ago
What's not true. I haven't disagreed with Stef without getting banned? I haven't seen people do the same and not get banned?
bobbincygna 2 years ago
He's a witch! Burn him, burn him!
*sigh*
Stargazer5781 3 years ago 3
If you had to recomend a type of clothing that a listener should wear while listening to your pod casts would you say... sweat pants? maybe some nice nike foot wear? what is your drink of choice? and what color... I'm just yanking your chain I just stated listening to your pods and so far they are very interesting... peace
azgartd123 3 years ago
I'd totally go with a tutu and and afro... ;)
stefbot 3 years ago
I'm a subscriber, I've seen many of your videos, bought one of your books, and read some of the threads on your forum. In my judgement, the cult claim is turning things upside down. It's an example of the kind of bullshitting often used in political debates called "framing". For more on such debating methods, read the following two Wikipedia entries: "Bullshit" and "Framing_(social_sciences)".
maganz 3 years ago
Some canadian gazette sent me an email about stefbot in December and I referenced my vids, mentioning his similarity to that of a religion. Now I'm curious??
Now stefbot responds with this pedantic "refutation" pointing to 'standards', 'definitions' and asks us to stick with THESE (cherries) which HE has picked. As if the gravity of his sophisticated idealism doesn't thwart the naive (note cult 4 above).
Note his admitting & differing guilt in 'cult 8'. Abandon the family , taking of time.
dospook 3 years ago
??.. can you be less pedantic
xelenty 3 years ago
satire?
bobbincygna 3 years ago
Hardly just some esoteric mumbler with a bone to pick.
ewops 3 years ago
Every meme is a cult.
marjan15 3 years ago
So... The government is a cult?!
minteko 3 years ago
You're the man. *applause*
Younglad666 3 years ago
It's truly a tragedy that you must make these two vids. It's a testament to how far the truth has come, but a stark reminder of how much further it still has to go.
Do what you gotta do, my man.
snipa4lyfe 3 years ago 2
"It's truly a tragedy that you must make these two vids. It's a testament to how far the truth has come, but a stark reminder of how much further it still has to go.
Do what you gotta do, my man. "
Im very sorry, i was meant to do a positive thumb for your comment and accidentally clicked the negative thumb!!!
candburd 3 years ago
I will serve stefbot. Must serve the master. I obey stefbot. Must protect master.
Does this mean I have to throw away the T-Shirts I ordered and the shampoo ... and the coffee mugs?!
What would the media do to MLK if he was around these days ...
r7n7 3 years ago
shoot him
sidewaysdragon 3 years ago
Calling you a cult is the only recourse they have if you are leading the masses away from the true cults of society.
Sepero1 3 years ago
Phenominal restraint Stef.I aspire to be that enlightened.
VCADD 3 years ago
Phenomenal
VCADD 3 years ago
A website is a cult?! Haha! Too funny.
"OMG! It's a cult! Hurry! Close the browser!"
PhilosophyWatch 3 years ago
lol!
What!? Someone must link me to these accusations!
Although Stefan voices his opinions and philosophy very articulately, like any other, all of his ideas have been around in some form or another.
I've been to the website, and it's just another forum really. It's no more a cult than any other forum I frequent.
GregIsLegend 3 years ago
Freedom is somewhat like slavery, to those who can't function on their own. People become slaves to their own lack of ambition. Nature used to weed them out. Freedom allows successful, sustainable methods of living to win and failing ones to fail. Why would people who live failed lives vote for more freedom. It is the very reason they fail!
hughtub 3 years ago
I was in a real cult, Scientology. Let me just say you might disagree with Stef but he does not even come close to a cult leader.
Stef talks about big topics and people are going to strongly disagree. Just because someone challenges your world view does not mean that you should make false statements to damage that person or the listeners. They scared of his ideas and the effects of not believing in fairy tales.
HeathenNewsNetwork 3 years ago 6
stef just explains the solution of anarchy in a easy to digest pill.
SpaceAnarchist 3 years ago
Funny thing is that MSM(main stream media) is part of the big cult worshiping money and goods provided by their masters called banks.
toadster464 3 years ago
Stef in HD, almost too lascivious for youtube...
supers0nik 3 years ago 2
All hail the great and powerful Stefbot.
Sorry, just had to get that out of the way. LOL
I don't know the legal system in Canada, but here in the states, defamation of character, and slander, are actionable in civil courts.
It's just a suggestion, but if I were you, I would look into lawsuits against any media outlet, and/or persons, that out and out lied about you, and defamed your good character.
xxxchaindrive 3 years ago
It's a great assurance when your defamers' loudest accusation is so easy to refute.
MisterC0 3 years ago
The same thing they did with Rand...
RyanPig 3 years ago 2
very true.
GregIsLegend 3 years ago
If I googled "FDR" and "personality cult" I would probably get a lot of results, but not in the way most of you would expect. ;)
tiecuando 3 years ago
So JWs are indeed a cult.
I'll be quoting that site.
someweirdgayguy 3 years ago
Cult leader sigh.. it's sad but predictable that sooner or later Sefan M. would have to deal with shit like this.
motokeiru 3 years ago
All press is good press.
iconoclastic23 3 years ago
Um...Not.
AntiShocker 3 years ago
"All press is good press. " I think it's true. I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if the listenership increases as a result of the media articles. The people who are actually interested in ideas will look past the typical media crap and find value in FDR. Those who can't look past the media crap and simply accept it at it's word are really only interested in the ideas they prefer to believe, and thus will have no interest in Philosophy.
sumadartsan 3 years ago
Increased FDR listenership would be awesome. I'm a fan. Stef is a man of great integrity (my opinion). As long as Stef knows when and where the shots are being fired from he can protect himself. It's absolutely mind blowing that he is accused of being a cult leader. Mainstream media used it's power to sell 9/11 and the war in Iraq. Mainstream media can crush FDR and anyone they want. That is not good press.
AntiShocker 3 years ago
Protection is a numbers game. How many people have read about the FDR cult? So far there are 1823 views of this rebuttle, of which, I will assume 99% of them were members of the choir. What is the effectiveness of this counter attack? What will happen if they keep firing at FDR?
AntiShocker 3 years ago
The mainstream media is a cult of mass hypnosis!
survivalstuffonline 3 years ago 4
Maybe just ignoring all the bullshit coming from the mainstream media is the best way to go. It may even be a good thing that they are attacking you at this point. It's better than being ignored.
escapethecollapse 3 years ago
I tried that for a few months, no luck. :)
stefbot 3 years ago
Arguing over semantics will achieve nothing. You should be arguing against what people perceive to be "sinister" about FDR, not against a dictionary definition of cult.
tryan4eva 3 years ago
I can not believe people have called you a cult. If there was anything said your the OPPOSITE of a cult. Seriously I am quite astonished and repulsed on the intelligence of people who have made these statements.
I consider myself quite intelligent and have agreed and disagreed (on very small things) on all different levels.
Good work stef. I freaking love your stuff.
chardoc89 3 years ago 4
Well, I guess when you set out on a mission to deprogram cult members, all the cults (family, religion, state, media) are going to attack you for threatening their livelihood.
odigity 3 years ago 2
It's sad that there's even a need to post a rebuttal video to such absurd claims of being a "cult", but as always you tackle the issue (and your critics) with poise and intellectual rigor!
giygas666 3 years ago 4
I'm here for the final freedomain radio cult cool-aid meeting! I hope I wasn't late.
MiniAgupa 3 years ago 4
The point of philosophy is to start with something so simple as not to seem worth stating, and to end with something so paradoxical that no one will believe it.
Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970)
weilandjason 3 years ago 3
Peace and thank you Freedomain Radio. It is good to know that their are "free-thinkers" in this world.
weilandjason 3 years ago
looool cult leader...haha ....i've seen your videos and your a very smart man :) nd the douchebags that say your a cult are just misinformed people cant really hate on them..just laugh it off with them
yourboycal 3 years ago