Aubrey Marcus really wants to not be a cult leader. He really wants Fit For Service to not be labeled a cult. He’s come out and said so, in a bold but vague response to criticism of his content from our podcast. Matthew takes him at his word, and puts on his cult research hat to give some pointers on how Aubrey can avoid abusing his power. Key bits of advice include: rejecting high intensity recruitment techniques, not depicting the world outside Fit For Service as “upside down” or insane, and not platforming alleged child molesters like Marc Gafni.
While this open letter is addressed to Aubrey, his Fit For Service clients might also find it useful as they decide whether to keep spending up to 20K USD per year participating in the program. Also, if Aubrey feels that this episode contains information that will help current and future participants assess whether he is really making good on his promise to provide “radical self-sovereignty,” we at Conspirituality Podcast would happily give permission for this episode to be included with Fit For Service materials, pro bono.
This letter is also open in a broader sense, because it contains solid tips for all earnest charismatic influencers who want to improve their ethics game. We believe you can do it, influencers! You can dig deep, and live your better life, by fucking over fewer people!
Links:
87: The Aubrey Marcus Spectacle
'I Was 13 When Marc Gafni's Abuse Began' – The Forward
Former Rabbi Accused of Improper Sexual Conduct Now Rising Star in U.S. Spiritual Movement — Haaretz
Gafni Faces Fallout From New Age Community - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Marc Gafni Named In Latest Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Against Yeshiva University
Popular New Age author Marc Gafni molested 13-year-old girl in 1980, lawsuit says
Sara Kabakov lawsuit docket
“Jane Doe” lawsuit
Nicole Bedera—sociologist of sexual violence
What is DARVO? —Freyd
Institutional Betrayal Research Home Page —Freyd
When sexual assault victims speak out, their institutions often betray them — The Conversation, including 10 points on “institutional courage”