the zeitgeist movement as a replacement religion
It has now been 2 years since the inception of the original LA zeitgeist movement chapter (from a billing perspective). In couple weeks, this meetup group will either shut down or shift focus towards a broader idea. Apologies to those who have recently joined, but you can find “authorized” chapters in your local area at thezeitgeistmovement.com.
We’re also roughly at the 1 year mark of the new LA chapter, which is the main subject here. I would have reported on this when it happened, but when you read the details, perhaps you’ll understand why I had no faith that tZM members were anything but mindless followers. The great William Cooper once said “what happens when you broadcast the truth is you piss everyone off.” This is somewhat valid.
Last December (2010), shortly after I attended a S. Calif ZM social “mixer,” my subscription to the state newsletter as well as my ZMCA.org password were both deleted without notification. This too might have been a good time to publish some facts. But with the renewal fee from Meetup.com due shortly, it’s ironic that money is the final impetus for this message. For those who have already heard this story, you can skip the next few paragraphs but I think it’s worth considering again, especially in light of the recent divorce between tZM and the Venus Project.
At the end of ’09, a request was made to share the organizer’s password to the LA chapter website. There was no functional need for this, but I had no problem with it and complied by giving this password to Eva (the current “official” LA chapter coordinator). Little did I know what would transpire over the next few months. Briefly, She proceeded change the password and lock me out numerous times. Each time I inquired, she gave me the new password, but never explained why it had been changed. Several other changes were made to the site with no discussion whatsoever.
In April, I emailed members of the LA chapter, reporting the split between tVP and the Earth 2.0 project. The tone of my message was of disappointment with the tVP – blasphemy within the movement at that time. Soon the password changed again. The other admins’ privileges were reduced. Also, members’ communication became restricted, subject to the approval of the new admins (Jason and Eva). This time, when I inquired, I got no response. Instead, Eva arranged meetings with several members, both online and in person, excluding me from both. After nearly a week, I regained admin access, but still no response from her. Instead, she demanded of Meetup.com tech support that her admin rights be restored, which was refused. Faced with having lost the organizer status she basically tried to steal, she forwarded my Earth 2.0 email to Jen (US chapter coordinator), much like a grammar school tattletale, in an attempt to show that I was inadequate as organizer. She and Jason succeeded in convincing Jen that I was somehow causing problems within the group and that a new coordinator was needed. At this point, she proceeded to set up another website for LA, which to this day remains the “official” chapter website.
I used to say that I was utterly astounded that Jen simply went along with the testimonial of a few people, ignoring the other 200 members in the LA chapter. But in reality, I’m not. So many people in this current system are clearly in a state of lack. In many cases, it is financial. But in even more cases, the lack is emotional and is often manifested in a headstrong need to be a hero. And in fact, this was Jen’s chance to be just that – to use her “power” as US coordinator to remove the evil and corrupt Cal from the reigns of Los Angeles and install “new leadership” with integrity. Sounds grotesquely familiar, doesn’t it? I should add that some members attempted to get everyone together and actually communicate about this problem, but the “politicians in power” conveniently never showed up.
My point here is that this emotional lack results in an attachment to group think. Churches are an obvious example of this, as are employers, sports teams, nations, and countless others. But since tZM members have supposedly seen “the light,” or irrelevance, of these mainstream institutions, they are some of the neediest people on the planet. And the Zeitgeist Movement “brand” fills that void perfectly.
What are your true motivations in the movement? Are you a “yes” man or company woman for tZM? Is your position as coordinator a replacement for the corner office or the luxury car you can’t afford? Do you want to meet and hang out with Peter Joseph? Are you a Venus Project groupie? By these definitions, the coordinators of LA, California and the US are true “executive officers” of the movement (and they didn’t even have to interview). For them and others, the movement is essentially a religion.
If you support a movement to eradicate scarcity in the world, it is because there is scarcity in your own life. You see how your own situation would improve in a resource based social system. And it is your obligation to seek solutions to live an abundant life right now, instead of whining to everyone else about how they should help you change the current system. This typical form of activism, after all, will be as irrelevant as politics, law, and advertising. Real activism is truly “being the change” you wish to see in the world.
As I stated earlier, the meetup group will cease to be specifically affiliated with the zeitgeist movement. For those familiar with the 2nd film, (or with Thomas Paine), My country is the world…and my movement is to do good.
this is one of the main reasons we stopped going to these meetings…. thanks for bringing the truth to light!
Cal,
I am so glad you finally brought this to light – it has been bothering me every since it happened. I am, however, also glad that this situation did occur – it was a great lesson to be learned (“to test a mans character, give him “power” ” – I saw a lot of people’s characters when push came to shove).
I met a lot of great people and thinkers in my short stint as a “member” of TZM – most of the members are amazing people and have sincere intentions – just remember you DO NOT need to be a part of any group or movement to see change… true change comes from “being the change” you want to see in the world.
Well written Cal, happy to see this out for all to see (should have been done sooner).
David X
Well first off Id like to say that TZM is the short abbreviation for the zeitgeist MOVEMENT. By definition:
move·ment:
a. A series of actions and events taking place over a period of time and working to foster a principle or policy: a movement toward world peace.
b. An organized effort by supporters of a common goal: a leader of the labor movement.
NOW, having said that, lets see the definition of RELIGION.
re·li·gion/riˈlijən/Noun
1. The belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, esp. a personal God or gods.
Last I checked the Zeitgesit diety wasnt sitting on his throne. Now I don’t claim to be well versed with the politics of ANY organization. I see a vision and I decide to either do my PERSONAL part in the group or not. When you give a MAN with out shelter or food change, do you have expectations of what he will do with it or do you just DO IT because you want to help better a situation. Sure, he might go booze it up, but you did you part in helping with a pure heart and with the best intentions. Donating if not anything but TIME to a cause or organization is still with the best intentions. If nobody gave a flying fuck about how this movement moves, you mine as well be asking for anarchy.
Heres my thing, lets get together to help us better our world. I come from a broken home with the POV from parents only to be described as Hitler and a nun. Constantly faced with the tug of war of “happy american home” and “free spirited ingenuity”. I FIRST HAND know the difference between the thirst for financial freedom and true freedom. I see nothing wrong with people collectively gathering to support one another in the pursuit of a better life for everybody, including yourself. If your “personal” experience with the movement has bruised your ego and has caused you to lash out and support your animosity toward the movement, than may you find peace. An idea comes from a seed planted in ones mind, the steps following will always require support. Steps=MOVEMENT. Hopefully you understand that it is in our nature to surround ourselves with likeminded nurturing people. Im sure you know that without the connection physically, emotionally, spiritually….we die. True fact. So please do not slander a collective groups efforts to better sustain our lives and shift from this horrible value system we have. Quality of value should be greater than quantity of value.
“Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world – indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Margaret Mead
If you take this comment personally than I will assume that you truly do not understand the vision of a collective as great as this. Constructive criticism is meant to be learned from. Observe, analyze, reflect, grow.
I find it truly disheartening in your article that you are specifically making below the belt blows to a movement that you once supported. TZM is not a brand, or a cult, or a brainwashing left wing organization. I have few friends who know about the movement and I dont bible thump it. I do my part daily and share my will with likeminded individuals. I think thats really what its all about. One day Id like to have kids and have them know that money is not everything, that true peace and happiness comes from another place. Community and connection. So why so much animosity?
And for the record, I believe the word your looking for is creed, not religion. And if collectively coming together and sharing lifes TRUE value is viewed with distortion as a religion, then yes. Im a believer.
(If coming together in a conscious collective to better the world is such an awful thing, then PLEASE also condemn and do not support the following: Peace Boat, World Citizen Diplomats, Season for Nonviolence, Greenpeace, Habitat for Humanity, The Humane Society, GlobalWater.org, Global Village Foundation, We Are Change, World Wildlife Federation, Human Rights First, The Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness, NamasteDirect, Doctors Without Borders, Engineers Without Borders, SeaShepherd, etc, etc, etc. I think you get the point.
And if having a structure or basic framework is SO terrible than please also do not support: THE LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY, The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, The Natural Museum of LA county, Norton Simon Museum of Art, The HUNTINGTON library, Museum of Jurassic Technology, Pasadena Playhouse, Reading to KIDS, Liberty Hill Foundation, The Getty Museum, The Salvation Army, Goodwill, Friends of the Griffith Observatory and my favorite, The Los Angeles Zoo Association. =)
And for the record, I have no problem using my full name to be associated and tied to this post. Its rather funny when people hide behind an alias. If your gonna say something, dont be afraid to let it be known that YOUR sayin it. That is all.
As usual, such reactions simply further demonstrate my point … Do you really think dictionary definitions of movement, religion or any other word are relevant? I was merely making a point about how people can attach themselves to anything in the same way that they attach themselves to religion. And it appears that you exemplify this mindset.
Did you even read this completely? When did I ever “condemn” anything? When did I ever “slander” anything? Only someone who is religiously attached to the movement would have such a perception. I find it interesting (but not remotely surprising) that you neglect to even address the basics about what happened in the LA chapter. Is anything justified as long it’s in the name of what YOU support?
You can throw around labels like “bruised ego” and “animosity” all you want. Those are merely reflections of your own internal issues. Subconsciously, you want these labels to apply to me so that you can ignore how they apply to you. You will not find peace with this adversarial attitude. Read your comment again and tell me who’s the one “lashing out.”
I recommend you also analyze what you mean by “below the belt” in this context. This has no meaning unless YOU allow it to. If my account is hurtful, it is only because you are vulnerable. To reiterate what I said originally, it is only when individuals are strong that the group will be strong. And an individual’s strength must ultimately come from within, not from something external such as a religion. Or a movement.
As far as “hiding behind an alias” goes, I originally posted this on the ZM LA facebook page from my personal account and I sent it out to 250 people from my personal email address. Don’t make claims unless you know what your talking about.
it is not what the TZM says that is the problem. everything they say is completely & utterly possible. tho there are details not elaborated on, such as regarding how we would track resources without invading privacy. the problem is that this is a meritocracy! you wanna know why peter joseph has that kind of pull with them? simple, he’s made the most lectures, content, done the most interviews, & made 3 movies that i think are fine as far as information. but this fetish people have towards him fucking is stupid! GROW UP! make a earthship, contribute to something like open source ecology or whatever. but to just make endless radio shows & blogs is silly. TZM & TVP has the whole world starring at them in the face now & what are they doing? NOTHING!!! get it. unless you can out engineer jacque fresco or out think peter joseph, your nothing but a nameless “member”. so anyone who has a problem with the article this guys wrote. get used to it cuz they haven’t stopped pulling this crap.