The Times Union has launched a four-part series on NXIVM, and it’s AWESOME.

Keith Rainere claims to subscribe to a Randian philosophy that states creative and innovative people can only thrive in a laissez-faire environment that does not restrict the development of culture, business, art, or anything else that trades in ideas and innovation. He also once sued cult expert Rick Ross for criticizing the group publicly, claiming that Ross revealed “secrets” of NXIVM’s “program.” In other words hands off, government…unless someone else wants to talk about our toys, then it’s hands on.

This incident gets a passing mention of the first installment of an extensive four-part series by the Times Union’s James Odato and Jennifer Gish, but it’s key to understanding groups like the (I have to say) alleged cult. Because what you have here is intellect gone wrong; a true genius who fell so much in love with the smell of his own bullshit that even a revered core belief system becomes nothing more super-heated iron ore to be smelted into a more convenient weapon against any that deign to think differently.

Groups like NXIVM are all about “you and me against the world,” even if the rest of the world doesn’t actually give a damn. Problem is, when you see enough people as enemies and treat them as hostile, eventually you’ll give them reason to be suspicious. This is what’s starting to happen with Attorney Generals, former members, and even the Fourth Estate, which would otherwise have likely written off NXIVM as just another lame collection of business jargon and New Age nonsense developed by the only guy associated with them smart enough to know better. Instead, they shouted at those pesky kids in the neighborhood to stay off their lawn and  not, under any circumstances, look to see what’s going on in the basement. Which, of course, only meant something was happening down there.

So here we are. The Times Union‘s first installment of a four-part series is up, and it’s a great read:

Raniere landed on the cover of Forbes magazine in 2003 as part of a story called “Cult of Personality.” Since then, former followers have said, he has dropped into the background of NXIVM in an effort to avoid attracting the attention of the government, according to sworn testimony. Although he is NXIVM’s philosophical guide and figurehead, he has served officially only as a member of the executive board and has been eligible to receive royalities for leasing his Rational Inquiry methods. He makes rare appearances at NXIVM events, creating a certain mystique among those who adore him. His teachings and speeches are all recorded on video in case he might utter something so innovative it would be worth patenting.

Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Secrets-of-NXIVM-2880885.php#ixzz1mEFWjKU4

Also, check out the Times Union‘s list of influential folk in the Capital Region associated with NXIVM. Kinda disturbing and, I’ll be frank, in some cases very disappointing.