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In fairness, Parsons's occult history isn't particularly new, shocking, or politically dangerous ground in 2014. It's not mainstream knowledge, by any means. A
by jonnathanson 13y ago
In fairness, Parsons's occult history isn't particularly new, shocking, or politically dangerous ground in 2014.
It's not mainstream knowledge, by any means. And I'm sure a lot of folks are reading about it in Wired for the first time. But Parsons's backstory has been covered pretty extensively -- most recently as a significant side chapter (or two) in "Going Clear," the NYT-bestselling book about L Ron Hubbard and Scientology. Prior to that, Parsons figured prominently into "Barefaced Messiah," another Scientology history, written in the late 1980s.
For the record, "Going Clear" and "Barefaced Messiah" are fascinating reads. I recommend them. It's unfortunate that Parsons, a man of legitimate and numerous accomplishments, has been so thoroughly overshadowed by the con artist L Ron Hubbard. But Hubbard had a much better knack for publicity.
- mturmon 13y agoPrior discussions of the Parsons story are not confined to Scientology history. It was covered (in 2 or 3 pages IIRC) in Mike Davis's 1990 book "City of Quartz". This book was widely reviewed and widely discussed, and was re-issued a couple of years ago. That's where I first read the Parsons story, and I've seen it a few times since then.
- jonnathanson 13y ago"Prior discussions of the Parsons story are not confined to Scientology history." True. I'm just pointing it out because it's a big vector by which a lot of mainstream audiences are likely to have discovered Parsons and his extracurricular activities. Especially in recent years, with "Going Clear" coming out and hitting the charts. My point was mostly that this stuff is not fresh scandal, hot off the presses.
- mturmon 13y agoSorry if I did not convey that I was not correcting, just supplementing what you said. I already upvoted your comment FWIW.
- jonnathanson 13y agoOh, it's all good. I upvoted yours, as well. :) I have a tendency to respond with supplemental information to a lot of my replies, and from time to time, it can come across as defensive. It's not meant to be.
- selimthegrim 13y agoAt Caltech, undergrads usually hand down the various Parsons stories, and tend to drive by and gawk at the residence.
- deleted 13y ago[deleted]
- krrrh 13y agoI also highly recommend the semi-fictional experimental film by Craig Baldwin, Mock up on Mu. It's half-composed of stock footage from old sci-fi films, and dubbed live action portrayals, and explores a near future where Parsons and Hubbard have to confront each other after both having faked their deaths. Fun and terribly under appreciated stuff.