Scientology orgs around the world are receiving visitors from Scientology Media Productions, or SMP. It’s the new Sea Org Org that occupies the former KCET television studios in Hollywood and created Scientology TV. They are on tour because staff members have to be shown how to use the latest attempt to boost recruiting of new Scientologists – the QR Code.
The Quick Response (QR) Code is a 2-dimensional bar code invented in 1994 for the Japanese auto industry. It has since grown in popularity on product packaging in stores and online to provide an interested customer with more information about a product. Just open your iPhone camera app and point it at the code. You will see a link notification that you can touch to open. It works on most Android phones also, but you may have to load a separate app. Now Scientology intends to use them to promote the Scientology Network using their oldest recruiting tool – body routing in public.
Once Scientology was known as the people handing out free movie tickets that turned out to be a creepy showing of “Orientation: A Scientology Information Film” which ended with the line “If you leave this room after seeing this film, and walk out and never mention Scientology again, you are perfectly free to do so. It would be stupid, but you can do it. You can also dive off a bridge or blow your brains out. That is your choice.” That movie was replaced by video kiosks in Ideal Orgs that show a variety of videos about Scientology and its humanitarian efforts. With the use of QR Codes, Scientology hopes to reach those that can’t be persuaded to enter the org to see those movies.
“SCIENTOLOGY TV TICKETS – Use these tickets to hit the streets and promote to anyone in the community. A great tool and activity for FSMs to get involved in.”
“SCIENTOLOGY TV CARDS – These little cards enable anyone to promote Scientology TV. Come in to the Org to get some today. Then you can pass them out to everyone you know or meet. You could also leave small stacks of them in your local coffee shops and stores for their customers to pick up. There are a whole selection of tailored cards available which make it easy to promote any TV series and send people to the exact one they need to see.”
“EXTRA PROMOTIONAL ITEMS FOR USE – There is a whole range of items for use when you are heading out to disseminate or simply for use in your every day life so that those around you can see. T-shirts, stickers, bags and more. Check out some of them below. These items have the QR code on them so it’s as simple as the general public scanning it with their phone and being directed straight to Scientology TV.”
As SMP visits each org the excitement over the new swag with QR Codes is building. But it’s not a new gimmick, it’s basically an old one. Staff still have to go out on the street to do body routing, but now they have to convince the recruit to open their phone and scan a code. It’s possible somebody will watch a video that wouldn’t otherwise, but there will be few. The introduction of old fashioned body routing may mark the end of buying expensive online ads for the Scientology Network or maybe it’s just a way to sell more t-shirts. QR Codes are cheap to print, the labor is almost free, so it seems you can count on them to appear on Scientology’s promotional materials from now on.
— Rod Keller
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Former Scientology celebrity Peggy Lipton dead at 72
We’re seeing some ex-Scientologists posting remembrances of actress Peggy Lipton, who was once a fixture at the Advanced Org Los Angeles and other Scientology facilities.
The Mod Squad and Twin Peaks actress left Scientology long ago, and was as quiet about leaving it as she was about being a member.
Let us know if you have memories of her time in this nutty organization.
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HowdyCon 2019 in Los Angeles
THURSDAY NIGHT OPPORTUNITY: This year’s HowdyCon is in Los Angeles. People tend to come in starting on Thursday, and that evening we will have a casual get-together at a watering hole. But we also want to point out that Cathy Schenkelberg’s “Squeeze My Cans” will be running at the Hollywood Fringe, and we encourage HowdyCon attendees to see her show on Thursday night, June 20. Tickets and more dates available here.
Friday night June 21 we will be having an event in a theater (like we did on Saturday night last year in Chicago). There will not be a charge to attend this event, but if you want to attend, you need to RSVP with your proprietor at tonyo94 AT gmail.
On Saturday, we are joining forces with Janis Gillham Grady, who is having a reunion in honor of the late Bill Franks. Originally, we thought this event might take place in Riverside, but instead it’s in the Los Angeles area. If you wish to attend the reunion, you will need to RSVP with Janis (janisgrady AT gmail), and there will be a small contribution she’s asking for in order to help cover her costs.
HOTEL: Janis tells us she’s worked out a deal with Hampton Inn and Suites, at 7501 North Glenoaks Blvd, Burbank, (818) 768-1106. We have a $159 nightly rate for June 19 to 22. Note: You need to ask for the “family reunion” special rate.
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Scientology’s celebrities, ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and more!
We’ve been building landing pages about David Miscavige’s favorite playthings, including celebrities and ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and we’re hoping you’ll join in and help us gather as much information as we can about them. Head on over and help us with links and photos and comments.
Scientology’s celebrities, from A to Z! Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Scientology’s ‘Ideal Orgs,’ from one end of the planet to the other! Help us build up pages about each these worldwide locations!
Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society!
Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in our weekly series. How many have you read?
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THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Scientology’s toxic policy of ‘disconnection’ — we check in with the people who endure it
[TWO years ago] One of Scientology’s most secretive temples is offering a rare look inside on Monday
[THREE years ago] Monique Rathbun formally ends her lawsuit in Texas; Ken Dandar wins again in Florida
[FOUR years ago] AUDIO LEAK: Scientology leader David Miscavige ‘makes L. Ron Hubbard out to be an imbecile’
[FIVE years ago] Scientology is determined to conquer this Internet thing
[SIX years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies: Portland Is Now Cleared, On to the Rest of Earth!
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology Stalking Richard Leiby, Part 2: Frenemies Among Us
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Bernie Headley has not seen his daughter Stephanie in 5,444 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 1,573 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,077 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 1,557 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 617 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 508 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 3,815 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 1,683 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,457 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,231 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 2,577 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,143 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,063 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,230 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 2,811 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,072 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,111 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 1,823 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,349 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,438 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 2,578 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 2,898 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 7,754 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 2,873 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,229 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 5,531 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 1,637 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,039 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 1,911 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,494 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 1,989 days.
Mary Jane Sterne has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,243 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,352 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on May 12, 2019 at 07:00
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Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2018 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2018), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, ten years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
