Future Networks

BCM206 Project Ideation – Flat Earthers of UOW

In this blog post, I will apply my understanding of future networks through the exploration of concepts related to the formation of online tribes and new religious-like practices. With a focus on the controversial cult-like online community, ‘Flat Earth Society’, my short story and group project work together to provide unique insights that reveal how internet is actively fostering the development of new religions and spiritual movements.

Short Story

Cult of Reality Distortion

In the not-so-distant future, a world gripped by technological advancement and societal upheaval witnessed the rise of an enigmatic figure: Lucius Kael, the charismatic leader of the “Enlightened Horizon” movement. Kael, a former neuroscientist with unparalleled expertise in brain manipulation, had mastered a form of advanced mind-control technology that allowed him to distort reality itself.

Under the banner of the “Cult of Reality Distortion,” Kael wielded his mind-control device to twist the perceptions of his followers. He employed a combination of psychological manipulation, advanced technology, and strategic messaging to recruit his members. His recruitment tactics were carefully designed to exploit vulnerabilities and create a sense of belonging and purpose among potential followers.

Seeking control and power, he aimed to assert his authority over his followers by creating an alternate worldview that separated them from mainstream society. This manipulation ensured unquestioning loyalty and dependence on him for information and guidance. By framing his followers as part of an exclusive, enlightened group, Kael cultivated a strong sense of identity and camaraderie, capitalising on the human need for belonging.

His ultimate goal was nothing short of reshaping the very fabric of their understanding. His most audacious claim? To convince his devoted disciples that the Earth was, unequivocally, flat.

Amidst the fervor of Kael’s followers, one woman stood apart. Maya Harland, a skilled deprogrammer renowned for her ability to break the shackles of psychological manipulation, was determined to rescue the cult’s members from the grip of Kael’s mind-altering technology.

Drawn to the complexities of human behaviour, Maya had pursued a neuroscience degree at a prestigious institution, where Kael, a captivating and innovative professor, became her mentor. Kael’s lectures mesmerised Maya, his ability to distill intricate concepts into relatable insights inspiring her academic pursuits. Yet, as Maya advanced under Kael’s guidance, she detected a disconcerting shift in his teachings—once progressive ideas morphed into dogmatic beliefs.

Doubts stirred as Kael’s theories veered toward the unconventional and extreme, challenging the very foundations of scientific understanding. Maya’s allegiance wavered as her mentor’s influence waned, prompting her independent investigations that unveiled the unsettling truth: Kael was manipulating students, indoctrinating them into his Cult of Reality Distortion.

With the support of a secretive anti-cult organisation known as “Sanctum,” Maya embarked on a perilous mission to dismantle the Cult of Reality Distortion and free its entrapped devotees.

The tale began on a chilling evening, as Maya infiltrated a clandestine gathering of Kael’s followers. Hidden beneath a shroud of anonymity, she mingled with the believers, studying their expressions and interactions.

The atmosphere was electric, charged with a palpable sense of devotion and unwavering belief. Kael took the stage, his magnetic presence captivating the room.

Maya’s heart raced as Kael activated his mind-control device, unleashing waves of subtle manipulation that gently nudged the perceptions of his audience. Maya’s keen eyes scanned the faces of the assembled audience, witnessing the gradual transformation unfold before her very eyes. Rational minds, once anchored in skepticism and critical thinking, began to falter under the weight of Kael’s mind-altering frequencies.

Determined not to succumb, Maya activated a compact device of her own, emitting a counter-frequency designed to disrupt Kael’s technology. The subtle clash of frequencies created a disorienting undercurrent, unsettling the minds of Kael’s followers. Whispers of doubt emerged, like fragile cracks in an otherwise impenetrable façade.

As the evening drew to a close, Maya retreated to her covert safe-house, meticulously analysing the data she had gathered. She connected with Sanctum’s tech experts, fine-tuning her device to maximise its effectiveness. Every moment counted, for the deeper Kael’s influence ran, the harder it would be to undo.

As weeks turned to months, Maya’s relentless struggle against the iron grip of the Cult of Reality Distortion grew. Imbued with a resolute spirit, she masterfully infiltrated the group’s intimate gatherings, treading a delicate path of gradual rapport-building with individual cult members. Her patient approach began to bear fruit as doubts tentatively sprouted within those who had once been captive to Kael’s manipulative narrative. Maya’s counter-frequency, a silent symphony of resistance, wove its way through the consciousness of Kael’s followers, eroding his influence and allowing them to catch fleeting glimpses of the fractures in the carefully crafted illusion.

Then, a pivotal moment loomed on the horizon. Like a harbinger of change, news reached Maya’s ears of Kael’s audacious plan—an impending grand spectacle, a dazzling holographic revelation intended to offer seemingly irrefutable “proof” of the flat Earth. The urgency of the situation spurred Maya and the determined Sanctum team into swift action. Their collective minds worked in unison, conceiving an audacious strategy to infiltrate the event, disrupt Kael’s meticulously choreographed deception, and liberate the captive minds ensnared within his distorted reality.

As Kael’s followers converged upon the venue, their anticipation palpable, Maya and her team seamlessly blended into the diverse crowd, hidden by the cloak of anonymity. When the pivotal moment unfurled, Maya’s counter-frequency device was activated, unleashing a cascade of cognitive dissonance that rippled through the air. The meticulously constructed tapestry of Kael’s deception began to unravel, and gasps of realisation punctuated the charged atmosphere as truth dawned upon the bewildered spectators.

In the ensuing pandemonium, as Kael’s hold weakened, Maya seized the spotlight. Her voice, steady and unwavering, cut through the chaos, delivering a message of empowerment and critical introspection. Drawing from her own journey of doubt and eventual liberation, she implored the disoriented cult members to reclaim their autonomy and question the version of reality they had been spoon-fed.

With Kael’s influence left in tatters, his grasp over his followers shattered, a sense of upheaval and transformation hung in the air. In the aftermath, the echoes of Maya’s resounding actions reverberated through the lives of those she had rescued. Kael himself was apprehended, his mind-control technology confiscated, and the Cult of Reality Distortion, once a formidable force, now lay in ruins.

Yet, while the visible battle had been won, a new journey was just beginning—the arduous path of healing and recovery for the members of the cult. Maya, standing unwaveringly by their side, walked with them through the maze of emotional turmoil, offering guidance, understanding, and a beacon of hope as they grappled with the aftermath of their psychological manipulation. Together with Sanctum, she remained steadfast in her mission to mend the fractured souls and guide them towards a future unshackled from the chains of manipulation.

As the world continued to evolve, Maya’s story became a beacon of hope and resilience—a testament to the power of individual agency and the unwavering pursuit of truth in the face of manipulation. The Cult of Reality Distortion served as a stark reminder that even the most insidious forms of control could be dismantled through the unyielding dedication of those who refused to be swayed by distortion and deception.

In the months that followed, Maya’s efforts bore fruit as former cult members began to reintegrate into society, slowly unlearning the falsehoods that had once held them captive. The Cult of Reality Distortion became a cautionary tale, a chilling reminder of the fragility of the human mind and the importance of safeguarding against the exploitation of advanced technologies.

Maya’s resolve remained unshaken, a beacon of light in a world where truth and manipulation continued to collide. And as the scars of the Cult of Reality Distortion slowly healed, a new era dawned—one where the pursuit of knowledge and the resilience of the human spirit prevailed over even the most sinister of conspiracies.

Proposed project pitch

My short story aligns with our group project on emerging online tribes and new religions with a shared focus on the digital cult-like community, ‘Flat Earth Society’. The story depicts a dystopian society where a charismatic leader uses future technology to form a cult, mirroring real-world dynamics. The protagonist’s mission reflects efforts to deprogram and liberate members, offering insight into the complexities of online belief systems.

As explained in the below video, our group project’s DA will look into online cults surrounding conspiracy theories, using both tangible (QR codes physically distributed throughout campus) and digital media (social media content) to engage with the online conspiracy theory community. Additionally, our DA aims to create discourse amongst a secondary audience, conventional-minded UOW students, attracted via our QR codes.

My individual contribution to the project will involve designing our tangible media source (adhesive QR codes) and working with my team to film, create and upload content to social media platforms (primarily TikTok). Additionally, I will interact with and observe the online flat earth community to gain insight into the unconventional world of this online tribe.

Stay tuned!

Reference List

• Tara Isabella Burton 2022, Strange Rites, Hachette UK.
• Stoa, T 2020, The Memetic Tribes of Culture War 2.0, Medium, <https://medium.com/s/world-wide-wtf/memetic-tribes-and-culture-war-2-0-14705c43f6bb>.

AI assistance:

I used AI websites to assist with writing my short story, as well as generating images embedded within it.

• ChatGPT, 2023
• AI Art Generator, Hotpot Design. [https://hotpot.ai/art-generator]