Can you join a cult without knowing it? Is The Latitude a game, business or something else?

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  • Опубліковано 29 вер 2024
  • THE LATITUDE. How do you join a cult without knowing it?
    Here's how it happened to thousands of people in San Francisco just a few years ago. You're with a trusted friend; maybe on a hike, or sitting in a bar or just hanging out. Out of nowhere, your friend asks you: "Can you keep a secret?" Of course you reply that you can.
    Your friend hands you a small black sleeve, about the size of a credit card. On one side of the sleeve is a geometric pattern. On the other side, the words "Absolute Discretion".
    Inside is a security card. Printed with a website and a code. Later that night, you go to the site and enter the code.
    The website responds with: "Congratulations. You've been invited to the Latitude."
    What happens next, changes you forever.
    Let's find out why.

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    SOURCES & LINKS
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    IN BRIGHT AXIOM:
    • In Bright Axiom
    #secretsocieties #unsolvedmysteries #mystery

КОМЕНТАРІ • 3,7 тис.

  • @luisperez-soriano2399
    @luisperez-soriano2399 2 роки тому +1522

    Your writing is A+, editing a+,your delivery is a+ just an awesome channel ❤️

  • @slixlixx
    @slixlixx Рік тому +1704

    I think I’m in a Why Files cult. I found this channel two days ago and I can’t stop watching videos.

    • @toysorbust
      @toysorbust Рік тому +15

      Same!!

    • @lonniewilson8357
      @lonniewilson8357 Рік тому +19

      About a week now myself and I've binge watched most of them so far lol. Haven't seen this one yet

    • @BloodySoup74
      @BloodySoup74 Рік тому +2

      Yep 😆 🤣

    • @slayingroosters4355
      @slayingroosters4355 Рік тому +8

      Simon Whistler is a great example of a UA-cam cult leader, I think he is on 14 channels at the minute 😅

    • @woodworkingandepoxy643
      @woodworkingandepoxy643 Рік тому +8

      Welcome to the cult....uh....club. we meet on Thursdays, make sure you mail your fee to me by the next meeting. The amount is $50,000. Due immediately. Thank you for your prompt attention

  • @GeoffByrdMusic
    @GeoffByrdMusic 4 місяці тому +14

    This reminds me of the movie "The Game" with Michael Douglas. Underrated and awesome.

  • @darnellmeyers3671
    @darnellmeyers3671 Рік тому +18

    I dont know what I'll do once I've watched all of these. Watch them again maybe. My favorite channel by far. Thanks !

  • @DR-mq1vn
    @DR-mq1vn 7 місяців тому +1

    There is no way I would show up to a building by myself, like that website said to do. Nope!

  • @farinshore8900
    @farinshore8900 Рік тому +3

    Who the F goes alone to meet a stranger without telling anyone?

  • @shoesncheese
    @shoesncheese 2 роки тому +5

    In the US, religions have tax exempt status. That's the difference.

    • @TheWhyFiles
      @TheWhyFiles  2 роки тому +4

      Yeah, I have a problem with that.

  • @lynjermey6423
    @lynjermey6423 2 роки тому +12

    I get totally immersed in each and every one of WF videos. Love it. Creates deeper thinking on a lot of subjects that I hadn't considered before.

  • @zachariahhouck6178
    @zachariahhouck6178 2 роки тому +5

    I came for the info, stayed for the heckle fish.

    • @TheWhyFiles
      @TheWhyFiles  2 роки тому +1

      Hecklefish is not universally loved!

  • @ZakMitch01
    @ZakMitch01 2 роки тому +10

    So good yet again, always covering unknown topics

    • @TheWhyFiles
      @TheWhyFiles  2 роки тому +1

      Thanks for checking in, Zak!

  • @AtlantaPrin
    @AtlantaPrin 2 роки тому +5

    I had five panic attacks listening to this story 🤣🤣🤣 awesome

  • @fernandodelgado4224
    @fernandodelgado4224 10 місяців тому +1

    I discovered why files and am excited to share it with anyone and everyone

  • @cfoster6804
    @cfoster6804 3 роки тому +6

    Good to see you again, AJ!

  • @kristyalberton9498
    @kristyalberton9498 Рік тому +3

    98% of people are not smart enough to get through the first day. 😂

  • @patrickofcasiberia
    @patrickofcasiberia Рік тому +2

    Dude looks like Heinrich Himmler in his uniform. Its extra creepy in the golden crown too.

  • @jordonwindler1218
    @jordonwindler1218 3 роки тому +13

    i just cant get my head around that this is real

    • @TheWhyFiles
      @TheWhyFiles  3 роки тому +4

      I felt the same way when I first heard about it.

    • @shakerson
      @shakerson 3 роки тому +1

      It's definitely real. I have one of the cards.

    • @fustercluck2460
      @fustercluck2460 2 роки тому

      @@shakerson that's not being very discretionary.

    • @shakerson
      @shakerson 2 роки тому +1

      @@fustercluck2460 I'm not beholden to anyone to be discretionary.

    • @ggvbayareaoakland5914
      @ggvbayareaoakland5914 Рік тому

      you have some time to go, my young grasshopper 🤣🤣 lol

  • @iam.solivagant
    @iam.solivagant Рік тому +5

    Went through the entire Jejune Institute back in '10 or so (from the Elsewhere Public Works end first.) So much darn fun I would recommend this type of thing to an adventurous sort looking for a mysterious time! ARG went over a couple years, ending with a Jejune Institute "new age self-helpish" type seminar at the Hyatt in SF. Once in a lifetime experience, not to be forgotten.

  • @craigsudman4556
    @craigsudman4556 Рік тому

    Now that's a scary proposition...I think I would have walked out of the first room. Great video thumbs up.

  • @sunglassesron9464
    @sunglassesron9464 Рік тому

    I wonder if city officials have sanctioned all of the markings in "City" property...?

  • @YTW-rw6pr
    @YTW-rw6pr Рік тому

    Why is this channel not more popular?!

  • @gstynchula
    @gstynchula 10 місяців тому

    That's how I feel about being apart if this channel! Great work keep it up!

  • @snazzyd8866
    @snazzyd8866 8 місяців тому

    My claustrophobia alone would have had my nopeing my way out from the start...

  • @applejacks971
    @applejacks971 Рік тому

    I probably still owe Columbia House for those 12 cd's back in '87

  • @lets_get_weiird
    @lets_get_weiird Рік тому

    As I started getting into the video, I was like, there's no way??! This sounds exactly like Dispatches from Nowhere?!? Then you confirmed it but also let me know that the t.v. show is loosely based off of something real 🤯 Love your content dude and Hecklefish - keep it up 😂

  • @lisajamiegirl
    @lisajamiegirl 4 місяці тому

    In a cult, you're not allowed to leave

  • @rossgriswold6348
    @rossgriswold6348 Рік тому +9

    I recently found your channel and I am loving everything so far. The background and framing is perfectly thematic and Hecklefish is a hoot! I love it. Binging through your content I have become curious about the strangest question. Why do you like hydraulically your chair at the start of every episode? Is it coincidence or artistic choice? Like you are sliding into your secret lair?

  • @maddhatter3564
    @maddhatter3564 Рік тому

    reminds me of "the game" starring Mike Douglas. good flick

  • @therealkoolaidandkale
    @therealkoolaidandkale 10 місяців тому

    Chile. All I can say is that these people have WAY too much time on their hands. Smh.

  • @KyleMorrison-wf4nc
    @KyleMorrison-wf4nc 11 місяців тому

    Pull back the curtain ... ta da.. the birthday boy😂

  • @_Erendis
    @_Erendis 7 місяців тому

    I was in the Jehovah's Witness cult for 25 years and had no idea it was a cult. Steven Hassan's BITE model made that very clear to me when I was starting to wake up.

  • @luckdragon1976
    @luckdragon1976 Рік тому

    Yeah one is spiritual and one is of personal gain,that's not hard to differentiate

  • @bswizzle5227
    @bswizzle5227 11 місяців тому +1

    It’s like the film The Game.

  • @rajeshchaurasiya9
    @rajeshchaurasiya9 Рік тому

    So basically this cult was a MLM marketting tactics but silicon valley version

  • @jasonkierstead2964
    @jasonkierstead2964 7 місяців тому

    💥 👀 Till the End! 100% 💥

  • @shawng746
    @shawng746 8 місяців тому

    Tax exemption. The difference between a cult and a religion.

  • @strongviews5773
    @strongviews5773 Рік тому

    Feels like I know where they got the start of the plot for The netflix film "escape room"

  • @asharp6464
    @asharp6464 Рік тому

    Frank Zappa - 'The only difference between a cult and a religion is the amount of real estate they own

  • @Jeremy-nm1eg
    @Jeremy-nm1eg 10 місяців тому +1

    The subject matter is not the kind of content that I subscribed to this channel for

  • @dickball2638
    @dickball2638 Рік тому

    The only real difference between a Cult and a Religion is popularity.

  • @robertcurran2765
    @robertcurran2765 Рік тому +766

    "Tell no one, come alone"
    That's exactly where I end my quest.

    • @talmage_ur
      @talmage_ur Рік тому +59

      in total agreement especially if you're told you're special or chosen. Get bent pal.

    • @samcookson4165
      @samcookson4165 Рік тому +16

      for sure but this latitude thing does seem like harmless fun and the guys just messing around. I would probably get someone one of them cards even for like $35 and be like its fun just go with it but don't take it seriously

    • @lindaatteo409
      @lindaatteo409 Рік тому +4

      Me too

    • @samcookson4165
      @samcookson4165 Рік тому +1

      @@lindaatteo409 what you end it or but a ticket ? Sorry I got a reply

    • @john9982
      @john9982 Рік тому

      There are a lot more sheep out there looking for a flock leader whether online MMOR READY PLAYER ONE model or real deep dark sinister ways, NWO/WEF

  • @TheDunestrider
    @TheDunestrider 2 роки тому +581

    Whenever someone asks you, "Can you keep a secret?", the proper response is, "As well as you."

    • @I.am.Sarah.
      @I.am.Sarah. Рік тому +83

      I always say "no" and then they tell me anyway. Go figure.

    • @joshuareturns9907
      @joshuareturns9907 Рік тому +39

      @@I.am.Sarah. My cousin says, "If you don't want others to know don't tell me." lol

    • @DD-mp9ok
      @DD-mp9ok Рік тому +21

      "Why would I, it's not mine."

    • @elainelytle9704
      @elainelytle9704 Рік тому +5

      No, I would tell them telephone, tell ALane (me).

    • @slayingroosters4355
      @slayingroosters4355 Рік тому +4

      @@elainelytle9704 what? 🤔

  • @thestarseeker8196
    @thestarseeker8196 2 роки тому +272

    "This is a pretty complicated way to sell merch"
    Ah, there it is

    • @TheWhyFiles
      @TheWhyFiles  2 роки тому +18

      HA!

    • @gravypatron
      @gravypatron 2 роки тому +17

      I literally came across this comment just as hecklefish said it. What are the odds?

    • @cyprezz
      @cyprezz Рік тому +3

      It's selling, but with extra steps.

  • @fedupamerican296
    @fedupamerican296 2 роки тому +470

    Anyone who will go,alone, to any place when they do not know who will be there then give up all of their stuff and enter a dark room will probably die young of sheer stupidity.

    • @fedupamerican296
      @fedupamerican296 2 роки тому +21

      @@venwik5278 I will be watching, good luck.

    • @paulmarshall690
      @paulmarshall690 2 роки тому

      @@venwik5278 die of stupidity than boredom? You clearly are NOT trying hard enough. Maybe, volunteer some of your precious time? It won’t kill you to think of others on occasion.

    • @debbylou5729
      @debbylou5729 2 роки тому +39

      Didn’t you read the part about ‘San Francisco’?

    • @lordfraybin
      @lordfraybin 2 роки тому +32

      I'm familiar with "escape rooms" and I trust my friends.
      A stranger or an acquaintance hands me this card??
      Different story.

    • @Greg-yu4ij
      @Greg-yu4ij 2 роки тому +9

      @Sabrina Belladonna If you are suicidal this is on the bucket list. The movie ‘Prisoners’ has a scene where the killer tells the Father to drink something to see his child. By that time in the film that drink was looking good to every parent watching. 8.1 imdb

  • @adlegacy56
    @adlegacy56 Рік тому +31

    Hecklefish - "there's no sign or instructions or nothing! How do you know this doesn't lead to something awful like sharks or snakes or a K-Pop concert!" Had me laughing all day!

  • @theworldaccordingto4555
    @theworldaccordingto4555 2 роки тому +1670

    "The only difference between a cult and a religion is the amount of real estate they own.” - Frank Zappa.

    • @MrAledez
      @MrAledez Рік тому +7

      🤣

    • @leeharwood4583
      @leeharwood4583 Рік тому +56

      Makes no sense both own massive amounts of real estate

    • @Stacey0909
      @Stacey0909 Рік тому +14

      And money 🤑, LOTS of money. 💸

    • @optic_8478
      @optic_8478 Рік тому +41

      The only difference is usually one’s leader is still alive

    • @calsavestheworld
      @calsavestheworld Рік тому

      No a cult won't let you leave or associate with outsiders and exploits you for money or power or sex.

  • @francisfischer7620
    @francisfischer7620 Рік тому +112

    Wow. I grew up in a cult. Really. Left it some 35 years ago. And that wasn't easy. Thank whatever is good that I made it out alive. Two of my family members didn't. Helpful to hear cults discussed. Really, very helpful. Thank you.

    • @wailingalen
      @wailingalen 11 місяців тому +4

      What cult was it if you don’t min my asking?

    • @blackfacegaming191
      @blackfacegaming191 11 місяців тому +5

      That’s what I wanna know
      What cult?!?!?

    • @Addwater4444
      @Addwater4444 11 місяців тому +8

      Glad you got out

    • @eyeessee
      @eyeessee 10 місяців тому +6

      Sorry to hear. Must be difficult when you grow up that was, as you probably wouldn't know anything else. Happy to hear that you got out. ❤

    • @hopeewing5583
      @hopeewing5583 8 місяців тому +1

      That's scary

  • @ThomasDowning-ud6fz
    @ThomasDowning-ud6fz Рік тому +107

    This guy has a true gift of conveying information simply, concisely, and accurately, yet his delivery of material holds your attention and interest. Very good at what he does!!!

  • @jimhoffman2009
    @jimhoffman2009 2 роки тому +214

    And now I feel special catching on to your channel early. Great stuff, there should be way more views. I've already introduced 3 ppl to this channel. Hope it really takes off. You deserve it AJ

    • @TheWhyFiles
      @TheWhyFiles  2 роки тому +20

      Thanks for the support, Jim! The algorithm has been brutal to this channel.

    • @shawnblack7705
      @shawnblack7705 2 роки тому +5

      Where is the link to the documentary you Mentioned?

    • @chinopuertorico
      @chinopuertorico 2 роки тому +3

      I agree. It's like the Golden days of UA-cam feel. Glad he's growing.

    • @devinup3981
      @devinup3981 2 роки тому +9

      Do you feel like you have special information that you want to share with others? Do you feel like this channel influences your behavior in some way? Does it make you think about things you hadn't thought about previously? Do you have an emotional reaction to the content? Do you shun people who unsubscribe from this channel? Did I, by watching several of this channel's videos and clicking the subscribe button, join a cult without knowing it?

    • @jimhoffman2009
      @jimhoffman2009 2 роки тому +3

      @@devinup3981 No, no, yes, yes, no ... maybe? :p

  • @chrisstephens3196
    @chrisstephens3196 Рік тому +39

    When you said people joined by mistake, it reminded me of an episode of “Schitt’s Creek” where the main group of women all go to this yoga place and it’s clearly a cult. Then after awhile one girl says “We need to leave because I’m 100% sure this is a cult” and the other girl “yeah, I know it’s a cult”… “Well if you knew why did you come with us?!”… “I was just trying to be supportive” 😂

    • @underthesea713
      @underthesea713 4 місяці тому

      Love Schitt’s Creek 😂💜

    • @underthesea713
      @underthesea713 4 місяці тому

      Love schitt’s creek 😂💜

    • @JustMeELC
      @JustMeELC 3 місяці тому

      Actually if you think about it NOBODY knowingly joins a cult lol

    • @vonnie3922
      @vonnie3922 21 день тому

      So Sad When Schitt's Creek Ended

  • @georanger6180
    @georanger6180 3 роки тому +143

    K pop concert, that was a good one i have to say

    • @TheWhyFiles
      @TheWhyFiles  3 роки тому +10

      😎

    • @livingood1049
      @livingood1049 2 роки тому +1

      Can I be in the simulation that doesn't include K-pop pls?

    • @andymcfly
      @andymcfly 2 роки тому +4

      Hecklefish the best

    • @nahCmeR
      @nahCmeR 2 роки тому +1

      Totally wasn't expecting it, glad it was included lmao

    • @randybaumery5090
      @randybaumery5090 2 роки тому

      I went to a Vince Gill concert.

  • @bananabanjo
    @bananabanjo Рік тому +288

    Wow, I did the Latitude experience back in 2014 or so! It's a unique feeling to see something from one's own life like this, and friends' faces too (!).
    I was given one of those blank key cards as a gift. I showed up alone, didn't know what to expect. It had that adventure-feel. I was able to let go into the experience easily because my friend introduced it as a bunch of artists she knew had made this thing, and she knew great people. So I unlocked that nondescript door, gave them my stuff (thoughtful of them, considering all the crawling I was about to do), went down the slide, crawled around in that carpeted tunnel thing (amazing engineering, designed by the same people who built the one for kids at the San Francisco's Exploratorium). The projection mapping on the blank page of the book - it was all so elegant, beautiful, and well-designed. Here in SF, 'immersive experience design' is a thing, and back then it was a newer thing. My main impressions of this Latitude experience were: 1) the art scene in San Francisco is amazing, 2) I'm grateful I could experience this, and 3) I want to make art like this too for people. AJ - nice job describing the experience. I marveled at such a huge creative undertaking and the money it must have required to do it. Afterward, I didn't wind up buying anything or attending anything, but I would have liked to at least gift that initial experience to someone who would appreciate it -- I just never got around to it. I didn't know much more about it, until the documentary came out later. In the end, I still have that cool key card. And a last amusing feeling - when a clip of a friend happens to serve to illustrate a [good] point about cults :)
    Thanks AJ! Really appreciate you, your spirit of inquiry, and this channel.

    • @Davido50
      @Davido50 Рік тому +9

      I will pass I think though seems kinda cool in a weird way. - NY

    • @UnluckyFatGuy
      @UnluckyFatGuy Рік тому +24

      Maybe it's just my attitude, but I'd be so pissed after trekking around the city for hours on a glorified scavenger hunt

    • @colors6692
      @colors6692 Рік тому +13

      I did it with 2 friends high on shrooms! We knocked over some stuff and trashed a bunch of rooms🤣🤣🤣🤣

    • @nickpolizzi5897
      @nickpolizzi5897 Рік тому +15

      Please convince me that this is art.

    • @RefinedRandy
      @RefinedRandy Рік тому

      ​@@nickpolizzi5897 its not art lmfao. It's about creating secret societies to destroy America. The founder, Jeff Hull, should be convicted of treason. He's fairly high ranking in terms of the worst of the worst. In my honest opinion, he's worse than Jeffery Dahmer, and trust me Dahmer is an awful person that I absolutely can't stand and am disgusted by.
      I guess the moral of this story is to never trust a guy named Jeff/Jeffery.

  • @lizc6393
    @lizc6393 3 роки тому +19

    Nothing to see here, just doing my part for the algorithm.

  • @KineticEV
    @KineticEV 4 місяці тому +2

    I'm too lazy and poor to invest that kind of time and money I don't have into something like this. It's probably why I'm not a religious person and an Independent with Libertarian tendencies. and don't much care for politics or politicians....🤣

  • @nicholascurran1734
    @nicholascurran1734 2 роки тому +84

    Saw both the documentaries covering these ARGs and there was simply the saddest moment during one of the participant interviews. She says something along the lines of "imagine these people were paid to be your friend."
    Recruiters wish for your entry, and are often compensated for it. Despicable means.
    Edit: had to do it justice, and looked it up. The woman being interviewed says "if I broke, and I went nuts, and I went to a mental institution, and I told them that half of my friends were acting, they would write it in my chart as a delusion. Half of my friends were acting."
    People often lack understanding of how their actions can hurt others, and this is a prime example. Bartenders aren't friends, neither are dancers. They do so for a benefit to self.

    • @giuseppelogiurato5718
      @giuseppelogiurato5718 Рік тому +9

      Lol, I have lots of friends who are bartenders and "dancers", but not all bartenders and strippers are my friends!

    • @carwashninja
      @carwashninja Рік тому +21

      Are you trying to tell me that Cocoa at the club isn't really into me???

    • @jodyknight
      @jodyknight Рік тому

      @@carwashninja lmao

    • @SirenandAbby
      @SirenandAbby Рік тому

      Hey now

    • @mordie31
      @mordie31 Рік тому

      @@carwashninja ROFL

  • @slimmsing
    @slimmsing 3 роки тому +133

    Found your channel after randomly wanting some content about the Voynich manuscript, I've been binging everything since, really great stuff man, I really like the topics you've chosen and how you choose to approach and explain them.
    You are going to blow up, keep putting out the content and it will happen i absolutely promise you.

    • @TheWhyFiles
      @TheWhyFiles  3 роки тому +10

      Thanks for the words of encouragement, NJM!

    • @TheEarthHistorysConfusing
      @TheEarthHistorysConfusing 2 роки тому +4

      Yeah he deserves to have more subs.

    • @richspizzaparty
      @richspizzaparty 2 роки тому +1

      They were invited by a good friend, trust was established. Live a little.

    • @SlickArmor
      @SlickArmor 2 роки тому

      Absolutely promise him? Boy you're not full of yourself.

  • @JoePuffenbargerII
    @JoePuffenbargerII 2 роки тому +42

    This is my new favorite channel! I'm slowly making my way through every video.

    • @TheWhyFiles
      @TheWhyFiles  2 роки тому +5

      Welcome aboard, Joe! Thanks for binging.

    • @lunacy1334
      @lunacy1334 2 роки тому +2

      Same here. Perhaps something on history of photo processing? I'm looking forward to catching up, and quite enjoy what I've caught so far👍

    • @dar4835
      @dar4835 26 днів тому

      Me too!

  • @roberthummell3701
    @roberthummell3701 Рік тому +5

    If asked if you can keep a secret, the person asking you obviously can't. They can't be trusted.
    Best answer, "Apparently better than you can," and ignore the lying rat. They just proved theirself untrustworthy.

  • @grvdggr53
    @grvdggr53 2 роки тому +44

    What a fascinating story.
    I wouldn't have gone down the slide.
    I would think it would lead to a painful death.
    Love your points in the video, yes we like to be special and in an ever growing populated world the competition is lethal.
    Instead we ought to preach to accept ourselves but at the same time encourage progress.
    Not to be special but to reach whatever dream we might have.
    Religion is similar to cults but many religions are also transparent which is a crucial difference.
    I'm an atheist but I think many believers are good people.
    Bottom line is, we need to be kind towards each other.
    I believe violence creates violence but kindness creates kindness.
    Thanks for another great video.
    One of the reasons I got stuck to your channel is your humble greeting at the end.
    Those are the kind of people I feel for and want to help.

    • @TheWhyFiles
      @TheWhyFiles  2 роки тому +7

      Incredible comment, Hockey. I'm saving this one.

    • @deejames6371
      @deejames6371 2 роки тому +1

      Definitely Well said and AppreciativeThanks!...
      Mainstream Religion is only somewhat "TransParent," tho.
      Quite a few Secrets & Professed "unKnowns!"
      That'z annoder' conVersation, tho!
      (intentioned spelling- 📖📚📜 lol-SmileOutLoud)
      Namaste, have a Great Day!

    • @RarebitFiends
      @RarebitFiends 2 роки тому

      When I was a teenager I used to have a button on my jacket that said "Religions are just cults with political power". Decades hence nothing has caused me to revise this perspective.

  • @KarenSmith-pc8ji
    @KarenSmith-pc8ji Рік тому +37

    Very interesting! This ‘group’ reminds me a lot of the 1997 movie titled The Game, which starred Michael Douglas and Sean Penn. The story line is quite similar and while I won’t spoil the plot, people who join the mysterious and secretive game ultimately have to decide what is and isn’t real in their lives. Hmmm.

    • @kyle6781
      @kyle6781 Рік тому +10

      That was a great movie

    • @adameaszy7879
      @adameaszy7879 Рік тому +5

      Incredible and underrated movie, great reference

    • @Oriol-oo7jl
      @Oriol-oo7jl Рік тому +1

      I halfly disgree with you, although i see the similarities (and don't wanna enter in details to keep this comments spoiler free)
      What i fully agree on, is that it was a pretty good movie, that kept me superhooked :)

    • @TarasTankFriends
      @TarasTankFriends Рік тому +1

      That was a really good movie!

    • @KarenSmith-pc8ji
      @KarenSmith-pc8ji Рік тому

      @@Oriol-oo7jl Any movie that can keep the audience ‘super hooked’ is a pretty good movie imo. I agree about the similarities.

  • @alalverson1603
    @alalverson1603 2 роки тому +763

    WF is by far the best cult I've ever joined. Brilliant how you use the fish to reel us in with loaded questions and funny comments.Ty and please keep on inspiring people!!

    • @makbar59
      @makbar59 2 роки тому +14

      Sounds like you're out there catching cults like pokemon! but WF FTW!

    • @alalverson1603
      @alalverson1603 2 роки тому +9

      @@makbar59 haha gotta catch em all.. that is if you can stay alive 😬

    • @edward9643
      @edward9643 2 роки тому +14

      U like the fish!!?? Ugh, i can't stand it, in fact if i had a chance I'd feed that fish to my cat

    • @misterpink8099
      @misterpink8099 2 роки тому +9

      Best. Cult. Everrrrrah

    • @alalverson1603
      @alalverson1603 2 роки тому +5

      @@edward9643 ya man he has his moments , like the episode on ASMR. I do think your distain for hecklefish is pretty cute. What in particular annoys you about him?

  • @williammitchell4660
    @williammitchell4660 3 роки тому +13

    i cant stop laughing on the teeth of the fish

  • @venheartzeil3070
    @venheartzeil3070 3 роки тому +21

    How am I just now finding this channel 😦

  • @kurtkyre
    @kurtkyre Рік тому +86

    This reminds me of an Altered Reality game called Ingress. The game was simple enough, but the groups of people who were on various teams seemed very cult-like to me.
    I'd get a message in the middle of the night, telling me to drive to the middle of nowhere and wait for the command to do the thing in the game that would flip enemy territory to our side.
    I told them to eff off, because I worked for a living.

    • @kurtkyre
      @kurtkyre Рік тому +17

      @@CraigScottFrost It wasn't a bad game, kinda fun really. I just can't be running around in the middle of the night

    • @Matthewwithers33
      @Matthewwithers33 Рік тому +14

      I remember this game in college, I tried playing it for a bit but couldn’t travel like some people could. Then Pokémon go came out and had the same premise to move

    • @emily.toombs
      @emily.toombs Рік тому +10

      Funny, I was driving a friend home from clubbing and he asked to swing by the LA library in down town LA to hit the porthole thingie. I laugh at the fact they were the maping points for Pokémon go poké stops.

    • @austinw6035
      @austinw6035 Рік тому

      Who said it's separate?

    • @EricDaMAJ
      @EricDaMAJ Рік тому +5

      Yes. I really enjoyed it for a while. Walked almost five pounds off. But some of the people in it were just too intense. Edge lords to be exact. And no territory stayed flipped long enough to make it worth while.

  • @sebastiandurgan683
    @sebastiandurgan683 3 роки тому +42

    the fish and the knee joke was fucking hilarious

    • @TheWhyFiles
      @TheWhyFiles  3 роки тому +9

      Hecklefish was quite pleased with himself, Sebastian!

    • @HecklefishMoriarty
      @HecklefishMoriarty 3 роки тому +7

      I got a million of em!

    • @buzzardsmith3676
      @buzzardsmith3676 2 роки тому

      @@HecklefishMoriarty you are an epic bowl of orange bostonian wit and satire, definitely the brains behind the operation! I kid....channel is awesome, so glad to have found it

    • @GReaperEast1999
      @GReaperEast1999 2 роки тому

      Agreed. Gave me a good laugh.

    • @BuddhaFang
      @BuddhaFang 2 роки тому

      @@buzzardsmith3676 he sounds more like a Bugs Bunny/NY accent to me

  • @The0gr3
    @The0gr3 Рік тому +4

    The difference between a cult and a religion ultimately comes down to the leadership. If the focus of the religion is a deity, it is likely a religion, if it is on a living person who benefits directly in some way from the organization, then it is probably a cult. There was a really good documentary that went through all of the major differences, but this one was the one that stuck with me.

  • @juice3167
    @juice3167 3 роки тому +61

    It's almost always a cult when they take away your personally belongings. "You cannot reach enlightenment while being attached to material belongings, blah blah blah". I would've been out as soon as I saw the only way forward was down a slide 🤣

    • @TheWhyFiles
      @TheWhyFiles  3 роки тому +17

      Yeah, I wonder what I would have done. I don't think I would have taken the plunge. I don't like some "people behind a camera" having power over me.

    • @Robert-um3dz
      @Robert-um3dz 2 роки тому +2

      I can think of 5 other places. All wear matching uniforms and make you were chants and get matching haircuts and limit your calorie intake while indoctrinating you into their philosophies and keep you from your family during those months as well............

    • @fongy200
      @fongy200 2 роки тому

      @@Robert-um3dz Scientology, Jehovah's witnesses are the two blatantly big ones but there are also stealth cults.

    • @tinkerstrade3553
      @tinkerstrade3553 2 роки тому

      @@Robert-um3dz
      "The yellow bird,
      The yellow bill,
      Sitting on
      The window sill.
      I lured him in,
      With crumbs of bread,
      And then I smashed his effing head."
      Over 50 years ago, and it's still in my head. Cults are in the most unexpected places, with the strangest of reasons to exist. 🤫

    • @tinydancergirl4598
      @tinydancergirl4598 2 роки тому +1

      @Robert - assume you’re referring to the military, though there’r actually 6 branches, to be exact. Otherwise, interesting analogy...

  • @JimBarkerVids
    @JimBarkerVids 3 роки тому +22

    Great video. Hecklefish guessed it straight away. No fooling that fish.

  • @starbrand3726
    @starbrand3726 2 роки тому +35

    This had to be one of your best episodes. The storytelling had me glued to my seat. Fascinating stuff.

  • @janew2108
    @janew2108 2 роки тому +6

    Heckle fish is hilarious.

    • @TheWhyFiles
      @TheWhyFiles  2 роки тому +1

      He is not universally loved!

  • @mushroombird9400
    @mushroombird9400 Рік тому +25

    The amount of investigation and detail is impressive in WF vids. Great job!

  • @coyotesmile8972
    @coyotesmile8972 2 роки тому +9

    This is - I swear - what I actually have done my entire adult life:
    Them: Can you keep a secret?
    Me: Nope.
    It saves a lot of hassle in life. Pro tip.

  • @LilliLamour
    @LilliLamour Рік тому +29

    I can stay on this channel all day long. Everything is wonderfully put together and shared. Thank you AJ and Hecklefish. Hecklefish says what I'm thinking most of the time🥴...🤣

  • @stevebrindle1724
    @stevebrindle1724 2 роки тому +25

    I have never heard of this before and I like to think I am a curious and well-informed person being in my 60s and well-read. This is why I love this channel! This latitude society sounds almost as mad as the Scientology story to me!

    • @pletch73
      @pletch73 2 роки тому +4

      Same here! I'm only half way through the video tho

    • @terryenglish7132
      @terryenglish7132 2 роки тому +1

      There was an Australian thing sort of like this as well, more of a concept art thing.

  • @danielmcgrath7519
    @danielmcgrath7519 3 роки тому +14

    Great episode mate, kool as 👍

    • @TheWhyFiles
      @TheWhyFiles  3 роки тому +1

      Always good to hear from you, Daniel!

  • @birdflipper
    @birdflipper 2 роки тому +33

    When I was a kid the St. Louis Magic House used to have a maze that you had to feel your way through in the dark by crawling and at times climbing up through openings...it was pretty terrifying, but the early 80's were a different time! They could never have something like that anymore for safety reasons (I'll leave it at that), but hearing the part of this video brought back the memory of feeling trapped in that maze when I was a little kid. Great, now I need therapy. Thanks a lot, WF!

    • @aimee-lynndonovan6077
      @aimee-lynndonovan6077 2 роки тому +1

      You could have tuned out at anytime.

    • @dom85ross
      @dom85ross 2 роки тому +1

      That sounds disturbing

    • @birdflipper
      @birdflipper 2 роки тому +2

      @@aimee-lynndonovan6077 Never! This is my fave channel

    • @THR33_Dizzle
      @THR33_Dizzle Рік тому +1

      STL native here too, mf magic house, and the slide at the end! 😂🤣🤣😂

  • @michaeldunn2516
    @michaeldunn2516 3 роки тому +55

    Just found your channel, awesome content, storytelling, and quality production. Great videos. Keep it up.

  • @shawnblack7705
    @shawnblack7705 2 роки тому +35

    The writing on this show is amazing 👏

  • @DigitalDNA
    @DigitalDNA 2 роки тому +12

    You dont have enough content to binge. Can you make the videos at least 10 minutes longer? That'd be lovely. Also, Heckle fish needs to be stuffed. (I mean do a Plushy merch).

    • @TheWhyFiles
      @TheWhyFiles  2 роки тому +2

      This is a great idea!

    • @TheWhyFiles
      @TheWhyFiles  2 роки тому

      Ask and ye shall receive: shop.thewhyfiles.com 😉

  • @beccaboo6355
    @beccaboo6355 Рік тому +14

    Love your channel. Joining a cult without knowing it… my view is if you go to the site & automatically they are telling you to come ALONE & to tell NO ONE. I’m absolutely declining. That’s a no friggin way for me. 😂

  • @YaakovEzraAmiChi
    @YaakovEzraAmiChi 2 роки тому +5

    Heckle Fish is the MAN

  • @HeinziMotion
    @HeinziMotion 2 роки тому +28

    Love the way you first immerse the viewer and yourself into the story and then provide the background to build one‘s own opinion! Keep up the good work …

  • @thornydig
    @thornydig 2 роки тому +5

    HeckleFish for President 2024

  • @josephlangman1373
    @josephlangman1373 Рік тому +73

    I’m surprised that you aren’t over a million subscribers yet. I love this channel and the way you tackle and describe so many different subjects. Even something I don’t think I am interested in, becomes interesting with your descriptions and with your backup man/fish Hecklefish. Absolutely enjoy this channel, keep up the wonderful job!

    • @TheBruceKeller
      @TheBruceKeller Рік тому +8

      And 2 months later, 1.25 mil subs. :D His 'Adam and Eve' video really went viral.

    • @TheBruceKeller
      @TheBruceKeller Рік тому

      @Yup Yup CIA Classified Book about the Pole Shift, Mass Extinctions and The True Adam & Eve Story

    • @SamEsss
      @SamEsss Рік тому +1

      I’m glad only 3 short months later as I have now discovered this channel he is at 1.5 million subs! He definitely deserves it. I can’t believe he was under this amount such a short time ago. I hope he keeps going upwards!

    • @naomy1701
      @naomy1701 Рік тому +1

      @@SamEsss 4 months later, and hes passed 1.7 million subs ^^ and going id assume, which isnt realy surprising considering the quality and well done research he does on all his vids, plus the neutral perspective he seems to be very much presenting the viewers so we can make up our own mind about whatever it is he presents to us ^^

    • @ShizuruNakatsu
      @ShizuruNakatsu Рік тому +1

      He'll be 2 million soon!

  • @Rognvaldr85
    @Rognvaldr85 2 роки тому +64

    This is by far one of my favorite channels on UA-cam. Always a great episode and always learning something new. Keep up the great work

    • @TheWhyFiles
      @TheWhyFiles  2 роки тому +9

      You're very kind, Micheal. I'm lucky to have you watching.

  • @chinopuertorico
    @chinopuertorico 2 роки тому +13

    We are all in a cult. The cult of living this damn life lol. Thanks AJ. Stay true brother.

    • @TheWhyFiles
      @TheWhyFiles  2 роки тому +5

      Well said!

    • @tomrhodes1629
      @tomrhodes1629 Рік тому +1

      Chinopuertorico, If you only knew why we are here in this world, you would know how true that is! (GOD's prophet, the prophesied return of Elijah, testifies.) And organized religions ARE cults, in general. So are many other organizations. Any time you "pledge allegiance" to a group-consensus belief system, you have joined a cult. True religion, like true science, seeks TRUTH. And one must conduct this search using one's own independent reasoning. REASON is how Truth is found, be it through science or religion. Therefore, irrational thought must be overcome in both cases. And I've published the GOD-given keys to eliminating irrational thought and finding reason, including the so-called "Philosopher's Stone," which is THE Key to ALL. (I communicate only through my sites.) Love ya, WHY Files!

  • @CptnSavage
    @CptnSavage Рік тому +4

    AJ... the difference between a cult and a religion.... is PERCEPTION. It's all in how you look at it.

  • @belellkaeh2775
    @belellkaeh2775 2 роки тому +6

    Scientology has sued one person in the last couple of decades and it went so bad for them they settled after the testimony started. They can't afford to sue because of what comes out during discovery and on the stand. It ends up being a marketing NIGHTMARE for them.

    • @jwstrick
      @jwstrick Рік тому +1

      It's not that they'll sue. It's that they'll use any means necessary to silence dissenters, such as mass reporting youtube videos that piss them off.

  • @jamesr4464
    @jamesr4464 Рік тому +12

    I've never heard of this cult. I always learn something new while watching your videos!

  • @SpaceRanger187
    @SpaceRanger187 2 роки тому +8

    Being part of a group of people that would help me hide a body, I'm in

  • @ayapi9333
    @ayapi9333 Рік тому +14

    Best channel on the internet. I love the slow sit. Heckle fish is great comedic relief. Great research and timing bravo 🙌🏼

  • @bobbyhoffman3522
    @bobbyhoffman3522 2 роки тому +17

    This is an exceptionally well put together channel. Tons tons of research by AJ must be a major priority. He doesn't miss a beat. That, truthfully, is the definition of integrity. In these trying times, integrity is a hard find.
    Thank you so much for all of your hard work. It shows and is very much appreciated.

  • @nikb5241
    @nikb5241 2 роки тому +17

    Wow! Just when I told myself I'm going on a phone detox.. I discover you! I absolutely love your videos! Way to go dude! You are getting people thinking. How do you find all of this?! I like your message to the dreamers and visionaries too. Sending peace, love and blessings to everyone 💗

  • @stacyadair371
    @stacyadair371 11 місяців тому +2

    The Teachers Union checks many of these boxes, weirdly.

  • @TheMightyCookieShow
    @TheMightyCookieShow 2 роки тому +9

    Oh absolutally you can. I know of litterally millions who have found themselves in a cult right now...as we speak...but I doubt any of them went into it thinking they where joining a cult. Me? I was able to get out about the mid 90s and have since watched this cult grow more and more and become more and more perplexed as to why so many didn't not awaken and save themselves

    • @axelrivera6020
      @axelrivera6020 2 роки тому

      With a number and a piece of paper we are born into the cult.

    • @nateb118
      @nateb118 2 роки тому

      @James T Clement Film The reason they don't awaken themselves is because they didn't make the decision to join based on logic and reason, and they are not examining their current circumstances with logic and reason. I believe that about 90% of human decision is based on emotion, unless work, school, or some other artificial schema forces us to think analytically. From what I see, in day to day personal decisions, logic only emerges when people try to come up with reasons to justify past decisions to themselves or others. Logic also comes in when we set expectations for the behavior of others; we expect others to act logically and often get upset and critical when someone else's behavior "doesen't make sense", even though we don't expect or practice this in our own actions.
      EDIT: @James T Clement Film Maybe whichever group you are talking about wasn't a cult when they joined but gravitated gradually in that direction over time, a bit like a frog in slowly warming water-- unnoticeable until its too late.

    • @JohnSmith-tz4on
      @JohnSmith-tz4on 2 роки тому +1

      You talking about democrats or Republicans?

    • @Blink_____
      @Blink_____ Рік тому

      @@JohnSmith-tz4on it's the same cult, there is no difference.

    • @junicohen7918
      @junicohen7918 Рік тому

      @@JohnSmith-tz4on democrats

  • @tawanda34
    @tawanda34 Рік тому +97

    Fantastic video.
    Two points of interest.
    One: When I attended (and extremely conservative, Christian seminary) the professors would refer to Christianity as a cult. They were absolutely believers in Christianity.
    They used the same word, but different emphasis. As you pointed out- the definitions at the very base are similar and they termed all religions technically as cults. But this is an academic use of this term- not to be confused with the scary secret society types of cults that strip you of your identity-
    Two: As someone who helps people escape from cults (or abusive situations in general) there are several red flags (this is important for me because many things masquerade as Christianity specifically- but don’t pass muster).
    - Do they require money to join? Could you continue to participate if you never gave them a dime? (If it requires money- first flag. Of course certain clubs have reasonable dues but give a complete accounting to their membership of how the money is used- if this is the case I will retire this red flag).
    - do they separate you from your family/friends, etc.
    - will they let you leave? No strings attached, if this isn’t working for you will they let you walk out the door.
    - keeping secrets/secret societies- if an organization (particularly a religious one) isn’t up front with a public statement of beliefs - nope out of there. If you have to “level up” to get the truth or the real information- bad news.
    - are they monitoring you (seriously- at my church if I was an exotic dancer three towns over it would take a long time for that information to hit their radar. And then, they would probably ask me if I was strapped for cash, cover any needs I have and help find a job that didn’t require getting nekkid- if I was open to their help).
    - are they the only fountain of real truth? Do you have to go to their church only? What if you visit one down the street? Can your kids go to youth group at another church and you go there on Sundays?
    - are they overly controlling on clothes, car, food, jobs- I knew of one “church” that weighed their members each week to make sure they didn’t gain weight.
    - can you have a different opinion than the leader? On anything? Can you discuss your views with other members?
    - do they violate your body, mind or soul (spiritual abuse is grievous and is difficult to untangle-)
    - do they twist texts and interpret them in a manipulate their followers? (Laying out standards for hair cuts, jewelry wearing, what books you read- etc, by forcing an interpretation on the text to make you more like them instead of living in freedom).

    • @RoscoeJones85
      @RoscoeJones85 Рік тому +2

      Exactly!

    • @Lisa-om4it
      @Lisa-om4it Рік тому

      Almost all of this sounds like normal Christianity to me: lots of pressure to give more money than you can afford, separating you from family and friends, claiming to be the only true source of truth, aggressive recruiting and trying to prevent people from leaving, trying to determine your clothing or lifestyle, or whom you live with, attempting to tear down your identity and self esteem, spying on people, creating a situation in which open discussion can’t take place because of fear. All of that seems like typical Christianity in most denominations.

    • @newviolets8489
      @newviolets8489 Рік тому +5

      You just described all organized religion.

    • @tawanda34
      @tawanda34 Рік тому +15

      @@newviolets8489 absolutely not true. You need to gain some perspective.

    • @piggieria
      @piggieria Рік тому +6

      @tawanda34 I've studied lots of religions, and nah they pretty much are all cults. I'm religious and part of an organized religion, but I also see as being made by humans. All religions are there for controlling the populace. It would be a much better world if people understood this. Don't get me wrong it is a way to connect to other humans and a higher power, so it is useful. People just need to start seeing it for what it is and stop thinking it has all the answers. 🤷‍♀️

  • @H484R
    @H484R Рік тому +3

    ha. sounds like a great way to run a pyramid scheme. shroud it in mystery, give it some suspense, etc
    BTW i cant get over the Burger King Kids meal crown. That was awesome

  • @codyjohnson358
    @codyjohnson358 Рік тому +40

    OMG that joke HECKLEFISH cracks out about the knee & joint pain , THE LATITUDE ORTHOPEDICS ... so funny caught me off guard & had me laughing my ass off. GREAT VIDEO. keep up the good work guys. thank you for making my worknights tolerable.

    • @stellaf0225
      @stellaf0225 Рік тому +1

      lol me too, that actually would be a great way to prove you need to go at least 🤷‍♀️😄

    • @Blighted_Ashes
      @Blighted_Ashes Рік тому +3

      ​@@stellaf0225kneed* 😏👍

  • @robertshafer8968
    @robertshafer8968 Рік тому +16

    Every detail about this channel is so well done. I can’t stop watching.

  • @danielblake4112
    @danielblake4112 Рік тому +3

    I felt cool finding WHY FILES. LOL

  • @YurieSnowie
    @YurieSnowie 3 роки тому +7

    oh damn i surprisingly never heard of this, cool!