How Scientology produces its own reality: More photos from Dave’s film sets

 
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We’ve really been enjoying photos from Scientology’s former film director, Mitch Brisker. He has more examples for us of just how much church leader David Miscavige was willing to spend — but also how little of it went to the Sea Org workers who did most of the work. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

 
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Technology Cocktail

“It would be far better, of course, in mathematics, if the word ‘equivalent’ or ‘represents’ was substituted for ‘equals’ in all mathematical equations. The actual
function of mathematics would then be preserved. The word ‘equation’ should be changed in meaning — for it means ‘act of making equal’ — or should be exchanged for
‘abstraction’ if mathematics are to be better understood. For the mind, by establishing the abstractions which we call mathematics, sought only to improve its ability to handle real entities. The abstractions are nothing in themselves but assistants in mental process. A skilled mathematician has, in mathematics, a part of a servo system in which his own mind is the chief agent. He evaluates by abstractions real entities of the real Universe. Then, by processes exterior to the mind—scratch pad or electronic computer — he computes with abstractions alone until he achieves a solution. This solution he then ‘translates’ back into the terms of the real Universe.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1951

 
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Source Code

“The faults I find with Scientologists is they very often will see somebody fall on his head, get run over by a truck, and do some kind of a light touch assist and say ‘That’s that.’ And then wonder why the guy is limping. And then they sort of say, ‘Scientology doesn’t work.’ Man, I’ve got a word for you. That auditor is afraid of work. Do you see?” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 28, 1968

 
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Avast, Ye Mateys

“ETHICS: The following are Fair Game for the current week for No Report of their stats. John Wiley, Kristina Brorson, Vicky Alpe, Janice Tidman, Geary Titus, Wayne Alkire, Robert Williamson, Ron Straus, Dekki Le.” — Lt. Jeff Walker, Ship Stats, September 28, 1970

 
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Overheard in the FreeZone

“I was always aghast at many Scientologists’ willingness to accept verbal tech and policy or the staff’s willingness to follow illegal orders. Most ‘Scientologists’ including many ‘OTs’ are untrained morons and thus are vacuums for verbal tech and policy and false data. Most staff these days haven’t even completed Staff Status II, never mind any actual hatting. Then of course there is what they call ‘Instant Hatting’ which was supposed to be a temporary solution but has become an excuse for verbal policy and tech. Worse there is false tech and policy included like GAT and such things as ‘Message to Garcia’ and so called ‘SRAs’ and what are called ‘Seances’ which are straight out of Communist China’s Cultural Revolution and what was called Brain Washing.”

 
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Past is Prologue

1995: Steve A (aka “Mr. Castle”) posted this week with an update on UK activist Bonnie Woods. Scientology is attempting to remove Bonnie’s right to sue for libel by bankrupting her. “In an attempt to prevent Bonnie Woods from bringing a libel action against Scientology for statements made in public about her, Scientology’s agent in the UK, solicitor Peter Hodkin, succeeded in tracing a creditor to whom the Woods owed 23000 + interest (accruing to a total of 36000) relating to an interest in a property jointly owned by Richard and Bonnie Woods. He is now representing this creditor against Bonnie. Bonnie Woods’ solicitor, who was representing her without charge, as she has been denied legal aid, was also a victim of harassment by the cult, with the result that she has now decided to discontinue her representation of Bonnie, with the result that Bonnie is now left without any legal representation at all. If Bonnie loses her bankruptcy case, she will not be eligible to continue with her libel action against the cult, and they will have succeeded yet again in perverting the UK legal system to their own ends.”

 
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Random Howdy

“Human rights education brought to you by slave labor and the church of ironictology.”

 
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7, 2023. Appeal now fully briefed, oral arguments scheduled for June 25. Masterson has also submitted a habeas corpus petition.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Pleaded guilty on Nov 10 to a 17-year prison sentence. Now serving time in state prison.
— Aaron Matthes charged for SA of child under 12 years old: OT Scientologist facing multiple mandatory life sentences. Next pretrial court hearing set for June 19.

Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Judge Hammock’s ruling is on appeal, which is now fully briefed. Oral arguments hearing set for July 23.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ 15 days of arbitration completed, Val waiting for further word from the IJC.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike upheld on appeal. Scientology expected to file additional petitions before case can return to Kalra’s court.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.

 
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Other links: The prosecution of Danny Masterson. Leah Remini’s Fair Game Podcast. Leah Remini’s A&E Series. Scientology’s Celebrities, from A to Z. Bryan Seymour’s suppressed series, Scientology Black Ops: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. 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 a weekly series. How many have you read?

 
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THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] Scientology: Secrets of the Super Power Building
[TWO years ago] The Scientology hype video you have been waiting for: Saint Hill en fuego!
[THREE years ago] Sworn testimony on Scientology harassment in Leah Remini’s lawsuit
[FOUR years ago] Mike Rinder’s ‘A Billion Years’: A gripping takedown of Scientology and its leader
[FIVE years ago] Scientology’s personality test is a hit on TikTok: Can David Miscavige capitalize on it?
[SIX years ago] Hip, hip hooray! Scientology success stories you weren’t meant to see
[SEVEN years ago] Answering Scientology’s smears with truth: Phil Jones takes a STAND
[EIGHT years ago] US Government ‘adopts’ Russian Scientologist in religious rights protest
[NINE years ago] ‘Aftermath’ fan gets into party at Scientology’s ‘Int Base,’ brings Karen Pressley’s book along
[TEN years ago] DRONE FLYOVER: First images of Scientology’s Gold Rush mine in California
[ELEVEN years ago] If it’s Monday, it must be Seattle: Let’s talk Scientology!
[TWELVE years ago] Celebrating two years in the Bunker: Jonny Jacobsen on Russia, and Sunday Funnies!
[THIRTEEN years ago] Blood Relation, Blood Ritual: A Hubbard Family Occult Mystery

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on September 28, 2026 at 07:00

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Our book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is 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.

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