Last Podcast On The Left
Last Podcast On The Left
"The tone scale is a meter of different states of physical and emotional being ranked from 40 to negative 40." — Henry Zabrowski
"It's all about control of information. It's a cult thought. It's it's isolating people. Specifically making them feel stupid." — Ben Kissel
"The idea on how to escape persecution came to Hubbard slowly but surely. It started with one simple question to one of his higher ups: 'Do you realize that 75% of the earth's surface is completely free from the control of any government?'" — Ben Kissel
This episode of "The Last Podcast on the Left" provides an in-depth exploration of L. Ron Hubbard's creation and expansion of Scientology, tracing its origins from Dianetics. The hosts meticulously dissect Hubbard's evolving doctrines, starting with the concept of the "tone scale," a hierarchical ranking of emotional and physical states, and its expansion from Dianetics' four zones to Scientology's eighty. The narrative highlights how Hubbard leveraged financial backers like Don Purcell to establish institutions and publish works such as "Science of Survival," which laid the groundwork for Scientology. The discussion emphasizes the deliberate creation of complex jargon and processes, such as "engrams" and the "e-meter," designed to be both arcane and a continuous source of revenue through further courses and "auditing."
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to deconstructing Scientology's core beliefs and practices, including the concept of "Thetans" (immortal beings) and the goal of becoming an "Operating Thetan" (OT). The hosts critically examine Hubbard's claims, his methods for controlling information, and his establishment of Scientology as a church, which provided legal and financial advantages. The episode touches upon the organization's controversial stance on homosexuality, its aggressive "fair game" policy against critics, and the intense "security checks" used to extract personal information and maintain loyalty. The discussion underscores the strategic use of religious framing and the exploitation of societal anxieties in post-war America to grow the organization.
The narrative also details Hubbard's personal life and business dealings, including his nomadic lifestyle, his problematic relationships, and his clashes with former associates and government bodies. The episode touches upon his move to England and the establishment of Saint Hill Manor as a headquarters, further solidifying his control. The hosts connect Hubbard's methods to broader patterns of manipulation and control seen in cults, emphasizing how the deliberate creation of confusion, the promise of enlightenment, and the fear of reprisal kept followers engaged and financially committed. The episode concludes by highlighting the ongoing impact of these foundational elements on Scientology's structure and public perception.