A short clip from when I was recording the audiobook... I understand there is a problem with the audiobook in the UK and Australia. I do not understand the problem, as it had been all set to launch with the book itself and then it turns out there is some issue with distribution rights that is too complicated for me to understand. I have asked the appropriate people to see if they can step in and sort it out... For the time being, you will have to do things the old fashioned way and read the book. I went to Barnes and Noble in Manhattan to see it in a real bookstore with my own … [Read more...]
A Billion Years Is Here
Today is the big day, which has been a long time coming. I am sorry if anyone was watching CBS Mornings today expecting to see me... It was my error. It is airing tomorrow, Wednesday morning. Looks like it will be on around 8:30. Now that the book and audiobook is available, I am interested to hear your initial thoughts. And if you have a copy of the book, would love to see you posting pix on social media with the #ABillionYears hashtag... … [Read more...]
One More Day to A Billion Years: Now Bot Followers?
After my recent post pointing out that account in my daughter's name has 432K "followers" but averages jus a few likes and comments, so clearly they have been buying bot followers, suddenly I have begun to have new "bots" following me. I have never seen so many "ghost" accounts show up each time I am alerted to "new followers." I assume scientology is arranging these "followers" so they can accuse me of what they do... The levels of insanity inside the bubble are pretty astounding! Tomorrow, finally, the book and audiobook will be available. The first media spot will be on CBS … [Read more...]
Fake Reviews for A Billion Years
In addition to the post from yesterday Panic Stations in the Bubble: A Billion Years Is Coming which documents scientology's efforts to retaliate with paid Google ads and new smears on social media, they are now having their minions put up "reviews" of the book they have not read on sites that allow them before the book is available. It's funny to see them claiming they have a "reviewer friend" who gave them the book (highly unlikely -- anyone who got a review copy had to sign a confidentiality agreement until after the publication date) and citing to "Mark" Rathbun (funny, if this person … [Read more...]
Panic Stations in the Bubble: A Billion Years Is Coming
The imminent release of A Billion Years has scientology doing things they have not done before. It's all-hands panic stations in OSA. These days their legal threats fall on deaf ears. Everyone knows they cannot file lawsuits -- not just because what is said is true, but because Miscavige cannot afford to go into deposition and be exposed for what he really is. Since the days of the Truth Rundown and then Going Clear, scientology has devoted a team to creating video and online content to smear those who speak the truth about their abuses. I have written a number of blog posts about this, … [Read more...]
Regraded Being
Another oldie but goldie. … [Read more...]
First Review: A Billion Years
The first review of A Billion Years just published in Kirkus. It is a "starred review." I had no idea what this means. I was thrilled to discover the following: Only about 10% of the books they review earn a star. Here is the review: … [Read more...]
First Excerpt from A Billion Years
The Daily Beast negotiated an exclusive first look to excerpt a short section from the book. What they chose is not what I would have selected to represent the contents of A Billion Years, but they are convinced this is what will interest their readers. I almost omitted reference to celebrities altogether for fear of it becoming a distraction from the more important things I had to say, but ultimately chose to include some of the interactions because to have left them out entirely would have not been authentic. These things did happen and in some ways impacted my thinking and … [Read more...]
Brainwashed According to Scientology
I noticed this some time ago, but had not gotten around to doing anything with it. Another brilliant analysis from the experts at STAND: who of course know absolutely nothing, including what Hubbard had to say... He kicks his piece off with a witty description of how to "wash a brain" before prattling on about how brainwashing is a hoax: How to wash a brain: Carefully remove the brain. Gently immerse it in a bowl of lukewarm soapy water. Scrub the brain gently with a fine bristled brush. Rinse the brain. Wrap the brain in plastic wrap to prevent further … [Read more...]
A Billion Years is a Week Away
Tuesday, 27 September is the big day, and it's only a week away... If you haven't already preordered your hard copy and/or audiobook, you can do so here. On the 22nd, the first small excerpt from the book will be published. The 22nd will also herald the first review by one of the important book industry publications. There won't be any other media until the 27th when the first interview on the book will be coming, and subsequently other media will then follow. I will keep you updated on what shows/publications/podcasts will be covering the book. It's getting … [Read more...]
Between Lives Implants and Clams
This recent promotion on Facebook brought up the subject of "Between Lives Implants," one of Hubbard's crazier concepts. Their lecture is necessarily a regurgitation of Hubbard's "technology" contained in his wonderfully bonkers book, History of Man. You know, the one that begins: This is a cold-blooded and factual account of your last sixty trillion years. The test of any knowledge is its usefulness. Does it make one happier or more able? By it and with it, can he better achieve his goals ? This is useful knowledge. With it the blind again see, the lame walk, … [Read more...]
City of Clearwater and Scientology Maneuverings
The latest reporting from Tracey McManus highlights the tensions in the city as they try to deal with the maneuverings of David Miscavige. The Mayor and City Manager are on one side, and the City Council on the other in the battle over parcels of downtown property scientology wants. Tracey's earlier report goes into more detail about the plans to build affordable housing across the street from Miscavige's office and the termination of that planned construction after Miscavige got involved. Now, City Council members (notably Mark Bunker and Kathleen Beckman) are upset that they have … [Read more...]
More Scientology Crazy on Amazon
I recently posted about the "book" scientology put on Amazon New Scientology Scam -- Panic Over A Billion Years. That one is gone, but they replaced it with a proliferation of others. They seem to come and go with these fake books with some regularity... It is indicative of how desperate they are that they continue to try this very lame "strategy"... Imagine putting this much time and effort into an utterly useless exercise. You gotta love an "analysis and study guide" about a book they have not read! And of course, it's always good to see Lyin' Ryan Prescott jumping … [Read more...]
Regraded Being
RB has a familial commitment this week. An oldie but goldie. … [Read more...]
Thursday Funnies
These are the "top" scientology orgs... Wow, if Joburg is way up there, and Silicon Valley, OMG things are even worse than I had thought. They are both completely and utterly empty... We are gearing up... A guy on his Method 1 is their Technical Team? They are going to be gearing up for a LOOONG time. There are 77 neighborhoods in Chicago So, that means you should join staff. Wonder if they know Baskin Robbins has 43 flavors? That should be good for some signups too. And did you realize Chicago has TWO MLB teams? Everyone should sign up on that … [Read more...]