Wildcard

It is very easy to create an extended barrier out of the four walls of your living area. Humans tend to have a gene that blocks away problems until it is time to physically deal with them. In a present life, a sense of urgency with keeping up with the news, or more generally of what's going on, was so common it became an adult stereotype. It is even portrayed in several animated children's shows that parents and adults use the news and gossip as their primary form of entertainment due to their nature of dull character and inclined responsibility.

In fact, the careless and imaginative persona of children is a prime example of how reality is ignored and personally fabricated to increase joy in life. But although ignorance is bliss, it does not mean that the ignorant are safe. Lives are taken and destroyed within seconds of you turning on your television to watch the aftermath. Sadly, no matter what screen you view it on, how many times you watch the story, or the length of comment you make behind it, it just seems unreal. This is because after the slight concern, 9 times out of 10 you get to return to your regular life in which you deem as unaffected. There are very serious and possibly life threatening issues that we brush off everyday because of either our personal values or the seriousness of its coverage in the media. 

Usually when something big like a mass murder, an invasion, or civil concept starts to arise, artists take to their outlets by creating parodies, movies, and music that are meant to cause a reaction.

For example: During the train of Black Panther love, it was noted that Kendrick Lamar (rapper and social lyrical activist) created the soundtrack for the entire the movie including his own song "All The Stars". A powerful move for Marvel as well as a positive image boost of black excellence. Involving popular people or big networking creates a lot of buzz. However, not every piece that comes from a story gives off the same message which leaves an open door to the audience's curiosity and vulnerability. In a podcast from a news outlet called The Skimm, the speaker ends a vivacious explanation over current cult culture by adding that "watching shows about them or hearing about them on podcasts makes it seem like these are crazy, far-out things that never actually happen. But that's not true, they're very real and very dangerous." If we don't take warning to the information we are given, one day it might just be you with your very own segment on the channel 7 news.

If you are familiar with the American television series "Smallville", then you have probably caught word of one of it's stars, Allison Mack, whom is currently on trial for being allegedly convicted of sex trafficking and a conspiracy to commit forced labor. According to The Telegraph, "Business Insider reported that the Smallville star attempted multiple times to recruit [Emma] Watson to join NXIVM – an invite-only group of women who were allegedly pressured into starving themselves and having sex with Keith Raniere, the group’s leader."

"In January 2016, she tweeted: '@EmWatson I'm a fellow actress like yourself & involved in an amazing women's movement I think you'd dig. I'd love to chat if you're open.'"

"A month later she tried again, tweeting: '@EmWatson I participate in a unique human development & women's movement I'd love to tell you about. As a fellow actress I can relate so well to your vision and what you want to see in the world. I think we could work together. Let me know if you're willing to chat.'"

"She tried for a third time in March, on International Womens’ Day: '@TheCathyJensen @EmWatson Thank you for the bump up! Would love to chat with a fellow change-maker! #InternationalWomensDay'" 

What she did not realize is that Watson's twitter account is under @EmmaWatson not @EmWatson.
The language was similar in a tweet sent to pop singer Kelly Clarkson:

"@kelly_clarkson I heard through the grapevine that you're a fan of Smallville. I'm a fan of yours as well! I'd love to chat sometime."

Cults are literally everywhere, and the NXIVM is not the only one embracing the headlines. Another trending cult goes by the name of Heaven's Gate. Heaven's Gate is famously know for the participation of their "graduation" killing 39 members through mass suicide over the course of 3 days in 1997. Since that traumatizing day, the cult has said to be extinct, and is now popular because of a podcast that has been labeled binge-worthy. There is another called the Rajneeshees. They catered to the extremities of open sexuality, meditation, and capitalism. They moved to the US in the 80s after being shunned by India's government because of their views on sexuality. The Rajneeshees is still infamous to this day for orchestrating the largest bio-terrorists attack in the US by infecting local restaurants in the Oregon area with salmonella to keep people from voting against them in the county elections. The hype for this cult is being gained through its interpretation in a short Netflix Original television series called "Wild Wild Country".

 The Skimm also mentioned that "researchers don’t know exactly how many people are involved in cults or exactly why they joined, but what we do know is that cult leaders are very smart and very persuasive. And for a lot of people, they make a cult look like a really good alternative to society." I personally feel it is because cult culture is an underground issue that most people don't believe is real so they don't understand when they have actually joined one. Cults are only looked down upon meaning that they are not illegal or banned. They are a form of religion that people usually choose to be in and can not be forced out of, or at least not in America, due to their rights as a human. To escape the tantrums of people who would possibly be offended, the portrayal of sensitive topics such as cults is very vague and under-represented everywhere including the media. As BBC News states, as unpleasant as the events of a cult usually turn out are "it would be virtually impossible to ban cults without removing the right to free speech, thought, assembly, freedom of conscience, freedom of religious thought and most other human freedoms." Also, "you can't discriminate between religions and get away with it. If you want to ban specific religious practices, why not others?"