Kevin Marshall's America » nxivm http://www.kevinmarshallonline.com/blog Musing & misadventures of a writer, comedian, and local treasure Thu, 13 Nov 2014 00:17:24 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.0.38 The Times Union has launched a four-part series on NXIVM, and it’s AWESOME. http://www.kevinmarshallonline.com/blog/2012/02/12/times-union-nxivm/ http://www.kevinmarshallonline.com/blog/2012/02/12/times-union-nxivm/#comments Mon, 13 Feb 2012 04:42:26 +0000 http://www.kevinmarshallonline.com/blog/?p=6992 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 [...]]]> 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.

]]> http://www.kevinmarshallonline.com/blog/2012/02/12/times-union-nxivm/feed/ 6 Our Very Own Controversy: Some Snow Day Reading http://www.kevinmarshallonline.com/blog/2011/02/02/nxiv/ http://www.kevinmarshallonline.com/blog/2011/02/02/nxiv/#comments Wed, 02 Feb 2011 19:37:16 +0000 http://blog.timesunion.com/marshall/?p=3697 Firstly, a big high-five to the other folks in the are who had today off because of our winter Hellstorm.

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Albany, you confound me.

At times, you act like you have inferiority issues. You treat Obama’s visit to announce an inconsequential PR “committee” to create jobs as if he’s moving the Capitol to Firstly, a big high-five to the other folks in the are who had today off because of our winter Hellstorm.

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Albany, you confound me.

NXIVM founder Keith Rainere, aka "Vanguard," who clearly hasn't developed a Christ complex or anything. (photo: Patrick Dodson, Albany Student Press)

At times, you act like you have inferiority issues. You treat Obama’s visit to announce an inconsequential PR “committee” to create jobs as if he’s moving the Capitol to Schenectady. Parts of Lark Street and the Center Square neighborhood have so much Williamsburgh envy it’s embarrassing. You even get movies to shoot here on the precipice that parts of Albany kinda look like New York City.

Yet there are things that we can lay claim to that very few areas in this country can. We’re the capital of New York State. Our region boasts no shortage of things to do and great places to eat. The music scene is exploding. The mayor of Albany itself has a darker tan base than any other mayor in the world, including those municipalities that rest on the Equator.

I could go on and on, but there’s one thing that sets us apart and makes us special…

We have our own…well, some people allege it maintains a certain unfavorable status in the community.

The group is called NXIVM and its founder, Keith Rainere – who is known to walk amongst members in a robe and whose followers refer to him as Vanguard – boasts self-improvement through droning business jargon, amateur psychoanalysis, and pseudo science.

The latest round of news hit the Times Union in Sunday’s print edition, which reveals more of the…well, utter strangeness behind the organization.

Check out the article here.

The reporter, James M. Odato, has done other pieces on the “self-improvement organization” that have brought forth questions as to the legitimacy of its claims, its practices, and what it really gives its followers.

Here’s more reading on the organization to get you through your snow day:

  • Ex-NXIVM trainer: Students are Prey – A former trainer and one of Rainere’s ex-girlfriends gave sworn testimony claiming that Rainere’s and his organizations motives are not quite as philanthropic as they seem.
  • NXIVM Sues Former Officer – The organization filed a lawsuit against one of its former members, who also happens to be Rainere’s ex.
  • NXIVM Seeks Gag Order - Another former NXIVM member, this time an Executive Board member, was sued when she spoke publicly about the organization. Months earlier she’d sought protection from the onslaught of legal filings against her from the organization.
  • Ex-NXIVM Student: I Think It’s a Cult (with video) – A former student talks of her time in the organization, and how she thinks she narrowly escaped an all-encompassing, manipulative cult.
  • Secret Mission: a Child – In July 2010, it was discovered that NXIVM had made a child one of Rainere’s projects, having Nannies come in and only speak to the child in foreign languages and engaging in other experiments that are part of a NXIVM program called “The Rainbow Cultural Garden.”
  • Dalai Lama Cancels his Visit to Albany - In November 2009, the Dalai Lama cancelled a planned visit to the Capital Region due to controversy that erupted due to the talk’s sponsor, NXIVM. The bad publicity prompted NXIVM to sue Metroland, the first of many legal attacks against opponents and critics.
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