One Good Cult

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 พ.ค. 2019
  • This video was easily our most difficult this season. Not because the location was hard to get to, or the subjects hard to film. They were pleasant, helpful, and forthcoming. No, the reason that this episode was hard is because the person I hired to film it got day drunk and threw away everything from this entire week. I honestly have no idea why. Every single thing he was there to film, he threw away for no reason at all, then lied about it.
    We sent him home not long after I realized what happened, but by that point it was too late to go back and fix it.
    So, today's episode has been clipped together from the 20% remaining footage that was filmed on personal phones, off-hand on the second camera, and during Eric's filming practice. I'm aware the episode is... rough. The drone is even of a nearby similar looking village, rather Awra Amba (sorry). But I didn't want to throw the whole episode away, so we did our best and here it is.
    Awra Amba. A cult by any other name.
    Your support keeps us going: / rareearth
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    Follow my twitter: / evan_hadfield
    Merch (designs to come): teespring.com/stores/rareearth
    This video was made possible thanks to our incredible Patreon subscribers Aaron lx, Abram Blocton, Adam Theo, Alan Bryce, Alberto Daval Cordeiro Araujo, Alejandro Fuentes Salazar, Alex Garland, Alex Van de Sande, Alex Ross, Alexis Michelle Smith, Ali Stokes, Amay Khara, Amity Marshall, Andres Rama, Andrew Larson, Aqeel Fassuhudeen, Arne ‘S Jegers, Audrey Brown, Austin Cousineau, Blue Penguin, Bradley Brown, Brian ONeel, Bruno Mikuš, Carl Bodnaruk, Catherine Berry, Chris Ferguson, Christ k, Christopher Castro, Cody Belichesky, Damon Yi Hao, Daniel Demsky, Daniel Lee, Daniel Tyler, David Johnson, David James McConnell, David Benjamin, David Rowe, David Lister, David Badilotti, Dénes Berk, Denise Lipscombe, Djof, Douglas Danger Manley, Edee Nackers, Edward Sykes, Einar Holmedal, Eric Downes, Erik Ensing, Erin Lasoff, Ethnis Studio, Eugene Trakhtenberg, f1r3w4rr10r, Fiona Cameron-Mackintosh, flox, Fridtjof Mahnke, Frode Thomassen, Gabe S, Gavin Cross, Ggamefreak22, Giffy, Gilberto Hart, Giulian Fava, Hedi Zisling, Heikki Tiainen, Henderson Moret, Hollis Davis, Isaac Langille-LaBerge, J Neko, Jacob Rebec, Jaime Jewer, James Clayton Bowman, James Calfee, James Mari, Jamie Cox, Jan Langguth, Jan Vilhuber, Jarod Hoffarth, jaycornonthecob, Jeremy Wheelis, Jerome, Jessica Mayberry, Joachim Nygaard Kvam, Jochim Timmermann, John Abel, John adams, John Cline, John Goff, Jon Niezgoda, Jonathan Lindus, Jonathan Webb, Jonathan Lonowski, Josh Hoppes, Joshua Hutchison, Joshua Clarke, Julia Thiele, Julian Fiander, Kaitlin Wadley, Kevin Lee, Kidd Mclayer, Kristjan Kalve, Lars Hjort Christensen, Leo Höppner, Leszek Szczepański, Liam Oliver-Mallory, Liam Gilles, Liam Cooper, Lorenz, Lucas van wijk, Lukas Jackowski, Luke Trust, Akasha Yi, MacFoxington, Mad Sumac, Manuel Martin, Marc Chang, Marek Slabicki, Mark Mills, Markus, Markus Sawinski, Martin Faszinka, Martin Hölzel, Marty Otzenberger, Matt, Matthew Benteau, Matthias Kleveta, Melanie Sumner, Merodac, Michael Cao, Michael Wladysiak, Michael, Michael Teesdale, Michael Loken, Mike Pearce, Mladen Piasetskyi, MrElk, Muncorn, Nathaneal Register, Niclas Andersson, Nicolas Alexander Schmitt, Nyan Saik Krat, Ossian, Patrick W., Paul Cleeves, Paul Estella, Paulina Jonušaitė, Peaceful Conquest, Penny Brown, Peter Bjorvand, Peter Wood, Peter Lonjers, Petr Dolezal, Pieter Algera, Rabin Pun, Remi_Scarlet, Rob Rose, Robert Velten, Ron Warris, Ruddy Ezequiel Arroliga, sam, Sam C., Scott Crawford, Sean Lavery, Sergey Chukanov, setoh, sharpie660, Shawn Wang Williams, Shayne Stride, Shravan Bendapudi, Simen Thoresen, Simon Tobar, Steve Martin De Souza, Steven Fontinelle, Svein Ove Aas, Taé Tran, Tad Moore, This Has Not Gone Well, Thomas Paris, Tino Dervisagic, Toaster, Tracey Coffin, Trance Cat, Travis L Parker, Tristan Steinhoff, Twisol, Unnamed Muffin, Varun Perumal, Vicki Allardice, Victor Szeto, Viljami Lappalainen, Walter Schneider, Wes Mills, Whitefang, Wietse de Vries, Wolf Gratz, Yash Jain, Zach Kuzmicz and Zachary Hall. We love you guys!
    Thanks for watching! You're clearly one of the good ones.

ความคิดเห็น • 760

  • @RareEarthSeries
    @RareEarthSeries  5 ปีที่แล้ว +309

    Join the cult of Rare Earth: www.patreon.com/rareearth

    • @BANDITRYBAND
      @BANDITRYBAND 5 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      I'm not someone that's easily persuaded into joining cults... But this looks like one that I could get on board with!!!

    • @Iceican
      @Iceican 5 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      considering the circumstances this video was killer man good job.

    • @RenayEmond
      @RenayEmond 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Proud & highly Satisfied member 👏

    • @commodoresixfour7478
      @commodoresixfour7478 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      This doesn't sound like a cult. Cults separate you from your friends and people you care about. They keep you from the truth, this community is the exact opposite.

    • @RareEarthSeries
      @RareEarthSeries  5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@commodoresixfour7478 I'm not as certain as you that Zumra being a prophet of the one true God is the truth.

  • @eyemotif
    @eyemotif 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1620

    looking at the description... I’m sorry you had to deal with that. I couldn’t tell that it was bad though

    • @aftersexhighfives
      @aftersexhighfives 5 ปีที่แล้ว +68

      The artist always sees the flaws. It's a good reminder of how we see the world judging us. We see all our flaws and little things, but everyone else sees someone nicely put together and lovely.

    • @jhonculada7202
      @jhonculada7202 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      The cameraman probably got drunk from tej.

    • @Animaniac-vd5st
      @Animaniac-vd5st 5 ปีที่แล้ว +66

      Our wedding photographer decided that the pictures she took weren't good enough and deleted them all.
      She couldn't understand our rage because she gave us our money back, so there's no harm...

    • @aftersexhighfives
      @aftersexhighfives 5 ปีที่แล้ว +26

      @@Animaniac-vd5st I would have taken her to court. I'm so sorry that happened.

    • @delondestan8961
      @delondestan8961 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      only the last is really bad, all the others are better, nearly very good.

  • @DuffyElmer
    @DuffyElmer 5 ปีที่แล้ว +588

    It seems to me that the real test of Awra Amba will come when Zumra Nuru dies. If his faith system can perpetuate itself without his presence, then it will have the chance of perpetuating the positive things its done for that community.

    • @DarkHarlequin
      @DarkHarlequin 5 ปีที่แล้ว +84

      My thoughts exactly. Seems he is a man who decided to use his skills as a charismatic leader not to justimprove his own wealth but to 'trick' people to create a more progresses societal model. But his biggest challenge will likely be to establish these principals within 1lifetime so that after he is gone the society doesn't have to rely on his successor doing the same.

    • @kkgt6591
      @kkgt6591 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Not possible

    • @samanthaburns6956
      @samanthaburns6956 5 ปีที่แล้ว +37

      His best bet would to be to disperse power amongst all his disciples so that the ideals of equity and education or perpetuated and cannot be manipulated by any one individual in power.
      Depending on how popular he becomes he may also start a new religion. Death frequently makes dieties out of those who have a following.

    • @DarkHarlequin
      @DarkHarlequin 5 ปีที่แล้ว +30

      @@samanthaburns6956 Questionable though if the coherence of a communty built on charismatic leadership can be sustained without a charismatic leader. In that case he would need to take power away from himself in advance of his death so people start believing mor ein his cause and less in him.

    • @suninsplendor6220
      @suninsplendor6220 5 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      I think the real challenge would be not falling to corruption afterwards. Considering its already a cult in name if not
      practice it would be easy to slip into the classic model of one.

  • @thetntsheep4075
    @thetntsheep4075 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1305

    "But as Twitter had not been invented yet, he decided to actually do something."
    BURRN

    • @benweya
      @benweya 5 ปีที่แล้ว +30

      Best line I've heard in a while.

    • @nodnarB14
      @nodnarB14 5 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      I enjoyed that line perhaps too much

    • @MarshmallowRadiation
      @MarshmallowRadiation 5 ปีที่แล้ว +27

      That line made me mad, I'm gonna rant on twitter about it

    • @MrHasie
      @MrHasie 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      #DoingSomething

    • @Giganfan2k1
      @Giganfan2k1 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thoughts and prayers.

  • @jerry3790
    @jerry3790 5 ปีที่แล้ว +615

    It kinda sounds like it’s really everyone else who is in a cult.

    • @fattyacid1901
      @fattyacid1901 5 ปีที่แล้ว +27

      Very good observation

    • @jessstuart7495
      @jessstuart7495 5 ปีที่แล้ว +39

      Organized Religion = Cult

    • @agustinvenegas5238
      @agustinvenegas5238 5 ปีที่แล้ว +41

      I mean, most religions are just better financed cults

    • @stevencooper4422
      @stevencooper4422 5 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      Can't spell "culture" without "cult"!

    • @realenew
      @realenew 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@jessstuart7495 ha, at this point any organization can be considered a cult

  • @Xarlyle0
    @Xarlyle0 5 ปีที่แล้ว +59

    Fun Fact: "Awra Amba" means "Top of the Hill" in Amharan.
    The idea of a "city on a hill" to be a shining example to all others is more than apparent.

  • @xmlthegreat
    @xmlthegreat 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1022

    The story of how this video itself got made seems to me like a topic for a video itself. What the hell happened?

    • @WraithlingRavenchild
      @WraithlingRavenchild 5 ปีที่แล้ว +74

      I second the question, and move for it to be addressed.

    • @GGReyes-oc3kp
      @GGReyes-oc3kp 5 ปีที่แล้ว +29

      It's in the description.

    • @rangergxi
      @rangergxi 5 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      He released a video on it. Pretty shocking...

    • @xmlthegreat
      @xmlthegreat 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      @@rangergxi it didn't contain enough details.

    • @xmlthegreat
      @xmlthegreat 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@GGReyes-oc3kp more details. I need a play by play.

  • @oneofmanyjames-es1643
    @oneofmanyjames-es1643 5 ปีที่แล้ว +440

    This is a fantastic video despite the... production difficulties. And the story still came across, which matters a lot more.

    • @jamesmaxdavissands
      @jamesmaxdavissands 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      EXACTLY! One of the best I felt. Afterwards I read the description & was amazed that it got made at all. Editing GENIUS!!!!!!!

  • @GnosticAtheist
    @GnosticAtheist 5 ปีที่แล้ว +420

    Every religion has to have a hat. At least his is awesome silly.

  • @robotslug
    @robotslug 5 ปีที่แล้ว +424

    TH-cam demonetizing this shows the shortcoming of their algorithm, a real person having watched this would have looked past the stigma of the world cult at the positive underlying story of hope and rebellion against the norm. This is what TH-cam is made for!

    • @pedroff_1
      @pedroff_1 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      I thought Evan purposefully didn't monetise any of the Rare Earth videos. Might be remembering somethi g wrong here...

    • @RareEarthSeries
      @RareEarthSeries  5 ปีที่แล้ว +92

      @@pedroff_1 I monetize now, and for some reason this of all my videos is the one TH-cam decided wasn't agreeable.

    • @pedroff_1
      @pedroff_1 5 ปีที่แล้ว +18

      @@RareEarthSeries Oh, didn't know that. Too bad youtube thought this was not deemed fit for monetization. Even sadder is that the word "cult" and some AI probably played a role in this

    • @TheAkashicTraveller
      @TheAkashicTraveller 5 ปีที่แล้ว +31

      The irony being that real cults don't call themselves cults and so will get past the filter.

    • @davidbergstrom5703
      @davidbergstrom5703 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@RareEarthSeries Might be Because you have the Word drunk in the description

  • @puellanivis
    @puellanivis 5 ปีที่แล้ว +350

    “Somehow, this community has unlocked the secret to success.” Secular, egalitarian society based on investing in education… huh, I wonder how they did it?
    Seriously though, if you’re not always fighting, or denying some members access to productive lives, there is so much more than can be accomplished.

    • @buddymoore6504
      @buddymoore6504 5 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      yeah they are just being normal non political? religious and focus on being skeptical, doesn't seem like a cult to me, but the religious cult people call it one, haha

    • @kazaddum2448
      @kazaddum2448 4 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      @@buddymoore6504 "yeah they are just being normal non political?" - literally the opposite. They did away with a lot of the status quo, that's deeply political.

    • @IncredibleMD
      @IncredibleMD 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      They did it by not forcing it on people who didn't want it, as much as they think it's in the best interest of those people. They don't have to focus resources or manpower on forcing people to live their way, so they can focus them elsewhere.

  • @sonikku956
    @sonikku956 5 ปีที่แล้ว +268

    I'm impressed that people actually read descriptions these days!

    • @chadoftoons
      @chadoftoons 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      They usually do when the first line is different most youtubers just post everything in a template and the middle parts get changed so nobody notices it but here the first part is always different and you can see that even without clicking "show more"

    • @jahufar
      @jahufar 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      This is the only channel I actually scroll down to read the comments so I knew to go read the description.

  • @nickabrams2016
    @nickabrams2016 5 ปีที่แล้ว +245

    I have to say that honestly helped reaffirm my faith in humanity a little... Thanks man your videos are unparalleled

    • @John77Doe
      @John77Doe 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Nick Abrams Until you find out that there was the theft of community funds by the communal leaders for their selfish pleasures and vices. 😐😐😐😐

    • @Bruniiiefy
      @Bruniiiefy 5 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      @@John77Doe do you have any information on that? I would like to read about it.

    • @nickabrams2016
      @nickabrams2016 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Lol lol that isn't happening in my own glorious country at this very moment. I was more focused on these peoples willingness to set their own cultural an religious differences aside and live together under the ideals of acceptance and tolerance. No doubt there is some corruption of the leadership, as is the case pretty much everywhere, but at least they have the right idea

    • @dopaminecloud
      @dopaminecloud 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@nickabrams2016 ideas are incredibly easy to come by, no one acts on them

    • @rush1er
      @rush1er 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      You: Reaffirms my faith in humanity
      Religion: Hold my beer....

  • @lila8593
    @lila8593 5 ปีที่แล้ว +61

    I was too immersed in the story to notice any differences in the production. It's a great episode, as always.

  • @rainepanda
    @rainepanda 5 ปีที่แล้ว +37

    your script writing is so good that I can just play the video while I drive and listen only and it's like listening to an audiobook. really good

  • @BothHands1
    @BothHands1 5 ปีที่แล้ว +159

    I truly hope that this ideology spreads through the rest of the region, through the country, and across the continent. Religious conflicts are archaic, and only enrich those at the top of the pyramid, while sacrificing the people for the contents of their wallets and the fruits of their labor.
    It warms my heart though, to see these people thriving in the face of the opposition surrounding them from all sides.
    Sincerely wishing the best for these wonderful people

  • @Neillan
    @Neillan 5 ปีที่แล้ว +215

    Sometimes, people are so comfortable with what is, that they refuse to see what can be. The relationship between this commune, cult, whatever you want to call it, and it's neighbors is a great example of that.

    • @curiousfirely
      @curiousfirely 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Agreed!!

    • @rush1er
      @rush1er 5 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      ... or another way to put it....
      Sitting in a pile of shit can become comfortable because it's warm and smells familiar... until we are removed from said pile of shit can we say to ourselves, " OMG I was sitting in a pile of shit.! "

  • @Sirmenonottwo
    @Sirmenonottwo 5 ปีที่แล้ว +193

    The towns around Awra Amba seem more cult like than Awra Amba. Attacking them because they don't have a church or for working on religious holidays is much more cult like than getting an education. If I was rare earth Id have come down harder on their neighbors than Awra Amba itself.

    • @RareEarthSeries
      @RareEarthSeries  5 ปีที่แล้ว +76

      A cult that everyone agrees with is a culture. I come down hard on them in other videos. :)

    • @Sirmenonottwo
      @Sirmenonottwo 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@RareEarthSeries I think that is painting with a extremely broad brush.
      From the information you gave us they meet hardly any of the requirements to be considered a cult. On top of that they are not even doing anything wrong, but you calling them a "dirty stinking cult and I don't like it" (paraphrasing). It seems like a bias based on the cults that typically come out of north america that are sick and destructive. Awra Amba from the information you provided doesn't come across and sick and destructive.
      That is why I disagree with your video :)

    • @RareEarthSeries
      @RareEarthSeries  5 ปีที่แล้ว +30

      @@Sirmenonottwo You've paraphrased me incorrectly. If that's what you think this video said, I'd recommend watching it again.
      Cultism isn't by definition sick and destructive. But the environment it offers is a fertile breeding ground for sickness and destruction. It has nothing to do with me being Western. That's universal.
      The video isn't saying they're sick. It's saying this is what a cult looks like. Whether the soil grows into the commonly understood seed, time will tell. I certainly hope not, as I say in the video.

    • @Sirmenonottwo
      @Sirmenonottwo 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      ​@@RareEarthSeries​you say you think Awra Amba is a cult and cults are breeding grounds for sickness and destruction, but then say in Awra Amba you didn't find any of that badness but then still end the video by calling it a cult. The video is full of contradictory statements. You say its a paradise and on track for success but still cynically distrust it even tho you found no reason to distrust it while you were there. Then you wish it the best despite considering it a cult.
      As for "it having nothing to with being western" , I don't know how you can say that considering you admitted at the beginning of the video that is was a cynical view. I think you should have examined your own biases in this video. There is something in you personalty that is informing your opinions on Awra Amba. You don't think it has anything to do with Jonestown or Charlie Manson or heavan's gate or Scientology or what have you?
      "The video isn't saying they're sick. It's saying this is what a cult looks like." I think the video does not come across this way. There are too many contradictory statements. Do you want us to hear the pro-cult parts or the anti-cult statements? You can't have it both ways because that is cognitive dissonance.
      Ive liked your videos in the past and have been subscribed for a while BUT this video is bad because you framed the topic so poorly. Ill paraphrase a typical video that you do well "here we are at a place, this is its history, how sad, how interesting, heres what some people think, what is the future? its uncertain." Today's video was not like other rare earth videos, it was biased and the message was unclear. Once again, I like your videos but I don't like this video.

    • @RareEarthSeries
      @RareEarthSeries  5 ปีที่แล้ว +35

      ​@@Sirmenonottwo "You say that there is ripe soil and in ripe soil plants grow, but I don't see any plants. You're contradicting yourself saying there is a potential for a seed to be growing because that seed isn't visible yet."
      I didn't say they are evil. I said that they are set up as cults are, and have the capacity to turn in the way that cults are known to do. I specifically then state I hope that doesn't happen. Considering in this series I've already been to very similar utopian-style cults with incredibly dark secrets, it isn't hard to see why I am trying to see below the surface of what they show on tours. They don't need to have committed horrible acts to be in the same position as those who took advantage of the cultish behaviour negatively. Cultish behaviour isn't by definition bad. But the structure it builds allows for an easy switch into the horrors we all now associate with cultism.
      Cynical isn't Western. It is human. The people surrounding their community, all Ethiopian, are *far* more distrusting of them than I was. They are far more cynical about Awra Amba's goodness. Calling my view of their community 'Western' because it disagrees with you is in no way representative of reality.
      You've never been to this community. You've never met its people. You don't understand their god or their prophet, and have no relation to them. But you are certain I'm wrong in my assessment because it doesn't line up with yours. You then prescribe this as a fault of my racial/cultural bias, rather than your own.
      If that's how you need to see the story to be happy, I'm cool with that. But it wasn't the reality I saw when I was there.

  • @joachimmacdonald2702
    @joachimmacdonald2702 5 ปีที่แล้ว +54

    Good evidence that the best way for us to prosper is to work collectively to remove systems of oppression and build a society based on the common interest rather than personal profit.

    • @joachimmacdonald2702
      @joachimmacdonald2702 5 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      Pecu Alex “USA is an example of that in theory” sorry what?!

    • @ubiquitouspanda4466
      @ubiquitouspanda4466 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @Pecu Alex the USA is definitely not a good example of this. It's probably on too big a scale to do this effectively

    • @consideringorthodoxy5495
      @consideringorthodoxy5495 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      The bigger the scale, the harder it is to maintain common interest, you get too many people what things opposite of others and than you get arguments and splits. So yeah, great for them that they could get themselves going like this. I’m Christian, would probably like it better if there was Christianity but hey don’t seem to be as bad as what we got here in the states.

  • @michaelcherry8952
    @michaelcherry8952 5 ปีที่แล้ว +52

    You did an amazing job with only 20% of the footage shot.
    It reminds me of the (probably) apocryphal story of how J.S. Bach ran into money troubles and ended up selling some of the pipes from his personal organ for metal scrap.
    According to the story, he just composed around the missing notes using what remained.
    I'm sorry for your troubles, but you really pulled this one together. Your "chops" are getting better and better!
    As for the cult (or whatever it is), your description of the founder's ideas reminds me of this speech from, of all things, Dr. Who :-)
    "Winning? Is that what you think it's about? I'm not trying to win. I'm not doing this because I want to beat someone, or because I hate someone, or because I want to blame someone. It's not because it's fun. God knows it's not because it's easy. It's not even because it works because it hardly ever does.. I DO WHAT I DO BECAUSE IT'S RIGHT! Because it's decent! And above all, it's kind! It's just that.. Just kind. "
    Funny how that kind of sentiment is automatically suspicious to people. Funny and...sad.

  • @thebush6077
    @thebush6077 5 ปีที่แล้ว +25

    they're so perfect that all of their problems come from their neighbors

    • @recklessroges
      @recklessroges 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      "We must unite for our perfect dream, to resist our oppressive neighbours." Its easier for a community to accept the personal sacrifices for efficient rule, if they are convinced that their needs are less than that of the community. The easiest way to achieve that is to have a common enemy. Once "the oppression" is removed and the founder dies, then the *real* test of the community begins. I hope that Zumra Nuru's legacy will be successful and kind, (and if it is, it will be the first example.)

  • @bethroesch2156
    @bethroesch2156 5 ปีที่แล้ว +31

    I think it's a collective of like minded people who are setting a great example of how a society can function. I hope they flourish

  • @-.._.-_...-_.._-..__..._.-.-.-
    @-.._.-_...-_.._-..__..._.-.-.- 5 ปีที่แล้ว +88

    I wish my community was half as progressive as Awra Amba.

  • @prashantpandey9082
    @prashantpandey9082 5 ปีที่แล้ว +74

    As twitter wasn't invented yet, he decided to do something.
    Wow, this hit too close

    • @A.D.540
      @A.D.540 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      He didn't let twitter stop him.

  • @Qwerasd
    @Qwerasd 5 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    From what you said about it, this isn't a cult, it's missing quite a few things for it to be a cult. A cult separates itself from others as much as possible; prevents individual liberties and freedoms, instead valuing service to the cult above all else; and tries its best not to allow its members to leave.

  • @jacobwinham2978
    @jacobwinham2978 5 ปีที่แล้ว +32

    We need to do the same thing everywhere, not just impoverished places

  • @Maddin1313
    @Maddin1313 5 ปีที่แล้ว +45

    All the monetary and material aid given to poor countries is worth little compared to good education.

    • @mielvanvelzen5967
      @mielvanvelzen5967 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      They need to come together though, material aid to relieve the kids duties and then education which they can spend their free time with.

    • @extrastuff9463
      @extrastuff9463 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      The biggest problem tends to be getting resources to the right spot, my uncle has been involved for a while with aid that was intended for education of the native Papua population of New Guinea. Without having your own people handling it there (which depending on the situation may not even be allowed) expect to see more than half of the money intended to go to education to end up "lost somewhere" and I'm not including unavoidable overhead like paying staff and such in that. The amount of nepotism (putting family members in jobs regardless of qualifications), corruption (needed bribes, etc) and just racist bias towards the population they are meant to be helping sometimes sounded like it was maybe not even worth trying.
      Similar situations are probably happening all over the world with education initiatives. The best scenario I guess when it comes to education would be setting up schools while having some own staff on site and gradually transfer day to day business to the locals over time, but that's easier said than done.

  • @drawnseeker
    @drawnseeker 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I'm sorry about the cameraman, thank you so much for working so hard to provide such amazing content.

  • @Xlaxsauce
    @Xlaxsauce 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I remember first hearing about this story. It is amazing how stupid the other villages and towns how they can't emulate that village to hope to achieve a similar standard that the village has. I just hope that his community doesn't decay when he passes. I could easily see people trying to wipe the community out when he is gone. I hope he has raised a successor.

  • @revspikejonez
    @revspikejonez 5 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Communes don't last for long for the very reasons you mentioned: their neighbors' violence and religious cults.

  • @kcfreeman3021
    @kcfreeman3021 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Love the random confused locals walking around,

  • @brandelynmarie
    @brandelynmarie 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I'm so glad you guys went ahead & produced this video in spite of difficulties. I love it. 🌟

  • @roaxeskhadil
    @roaxeskhadil 5 ปีที่แล้ว +42

    Sounds a bit like "North Korea done right". Or, stated differently, a society based around humanist / secular humanist ideas that managed to not fall apart because of squabbles about the small details or because somebody tried to dominate it for their personal gain or goals. A truly rare thing, unfortunately.

    • @unfetteredparacosmian
      @unfetteredparacosmian 5 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      It worked because it's small.

    • @roaxeskhadil
      @roaxeskhadil 5 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      @@unfetteredparacosmian Probably. Unfortunately.

    • @r.ridderbusch7303
      @r.ridderbusch7303 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      ...and they treat women as *equals*

    • @okikeure7422
      @okikeure7422 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      If they grow too big, it will crumble. It might just fail. I hope it does not though

  • @pieman982
    @pieman982 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    thank you so much. i loved this episode. its a great look at another world that comes off as just positive and hopeful.

  • @OnlyBugmenWantedHandles
    @OnlyBugmenWantedHandles 5 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    I have tons of questions.
    How much authority is given to the cult's leader?
    If he's not the only authority figure, how do they select other authorities?
    If he is the only authority figure, what happens when he perishes?
    With their level of education, how many cult members choose to move to other communities?
    Do you know if the cult's leader has multiple female sexual partners? (very common in cults.)
    What are their sexual ethics like in general?
    How are needs like health care and childcare taken care of?
    How much time does the average person work per day/week?
    Are they at all armed for the possibility of even more serious hostility from outsiders?
    How has the growth of their community affected their life?
    How do they deal with disputes within the cult? Do they avoid involving outside authority?
    Are individuals within the cult allowed to practice their own religion? What are the boundaries?
    There's lots of others I could ask. Religions and cults fascinate me. I get that you lost most of the footage on account of your cameraman so you might have had some answers. Cheers.

  • @maddyvogel4525
    @maddyvogel4525 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I appreciate you posting this video despite all the filming issues! This was such an interesting story and town!

  • @robertf1720
    @robertf1720 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    "There are few things that set off more alarm bells in me than a splinter society with its own religion, its own laws, and its own way of being." That's how wars start.

  • @forklift_hikes6238
    @forklift_hikes6238 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    honnestly thank you for your videos. You and your team are doing a great job with a fantastic style which is better than most TV documentarys. I love your videos!

  • @avamasquerade
    @avamasquerade 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    As to what you all went through to make this video, you know you're onto something when the resistance you meet is pathological. And I genuinely couldn't tell any difference, likely, this turned out way better than the original for igniting your passion and requiring you all to bust your ass to make it happen. Thank you for seeing it through.

  • @OoxNemesisxoO
    @OoxNemesisxoO 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Really glad you were able and willing to complete this episode despite the 'setback'. Keep up the awesome work.

  • @Shushashir111
    @Shushashir111 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    That's the quality content I was waiting for, well done Hadley.

  • @monty58
    @monty58 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    The funny thing is, that pretty much just sounds like he forcefully modeled himself a town similar to a first world country.

  • @GediMini
    @GediMini 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanks for sharing the story despite the production issues. This is worth seeing and knowing about

  • @bofbob1
    @bofbob1 5 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    I'd say it was about 80% as good as usual. Pareto strikes again! ^^
    Tbh though, I doubt I'm alone in thinking that the textual content of these videos takes precedence over the quality of filming. I mean, you could make a video with just 2 sock puppets and I'd watch it through and through if the story is as good as it usually is (and as good as it was here). And yes, that does mean that I'm requesting a spin-off channel, "Puppet Earth", where you'd remake all your videos in sock puppet format. ^^

  • @dyland5847
    @dyland5847 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Another great episode, the quality of your series is really exceptional. Your scripts are really well written too.

  • @Patchy323
    @Patchy323 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Great video yet again, I need to watch it a few more times to really understand the message, as per usual :)

  • @1.4142
    @1.4142 ปีที่แล้ว

    I thought this was a normal episode until the description. Shows how good of a story teller you are.

  • @qp2qp226
    @qp2qp226 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    New subscriber... I've watched several videos and they are done well. Just wanted to say keep up the great work. Don't short change your research, or attempts to view topics from both sides, this will keep you above other channels that have fallen short over time. Great job

  • @alfusious
    @alfusious 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Very watchable regardless of how hard it was for you to put together. The story is inspiring and curious!

  • @Biomancer99
    @Biomancer99 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    I'm really glad you guys were able to make the video work still. These tales must be told.

  • @MisterItchy
    @MisterItchy 5 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    I wish those people all the best of luck. I don't think it fits the definition of a cult or of a paradise but the positivity of it is wonderful!

    • @janettaschuch3591
      @janettaschuch3591 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      A cult is what you call a religion you do not approve of, a paradise ? Nope, they are attacked from time to time, that is not paradise & as someone else here observed their neighbors will probably destroy it all or murder everyone .
      This is the e gift of a wise man. It shows what we do not need to have a happy life.

    • @thetimeisninefifteen
      @thetimeisninefifteen 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      A cult is a small/burgeoning religion.

  • @calichef1962
    @calichef1962 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    My goodness! That Ethiopian girl who was acting as your translator is GORGEOUS! But I haven't seen many Ethiopians who aren't tall, willowy and gorgeous, both men and women. Ethiopia is the only African country that was never colonized by Europeans, and they remained in control of their own country. The foods that Ethiopians eat today are much more what nearly all Africans ate before being colonized and having their food turned into African-European fusion cuisine, even though they really had no say in what foods the colonizing Europeans handed out. I really enjoyed this video, and I can really get behind a "cult" that worships education rather than a handful of imaginary gods and prophets. And their various preachers who preach intolerance, hate and violence against anyone who doesn't believe exactly as they believe.

    • @RareEarthSeries
      @RareEarthSeries  5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      We were the first tour she ever gave. She was very nervous, especially since we were brought before Zumra in her presence.
      Yet, she did great. I was incredibly impressed with her ability to articulate the collective's mission while avoiding the areas that would clearly cause concern. She was very obviously intelligent and thoughful. We all really liked her.

  • @WeyounSix
    @WeyounSix 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    I want to give you credit for pulling this together, I didn't notice the dip in quality because your monologue was so well thought out. This was one of my favorite episodes in a long while.

  • @996o0o966
    @996o0o966 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great episode. A viewer wouldn't even realise that you had to stitch it together from remaining footage. Don't be so hard on yourself! You made a great video despite the difficulties and it was a story worth telling, too

  • @winterbeaches
    @winterbeaches 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Truly wish these people the best. Sad that we couldn't have seen more.

  • @jacobusstrydom7017
    @jacobusstrydom7017 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Excellent video. Thanks for this, great job.

  • @hanswurst6726
    @hanswurst6726 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    what a great video maybe one of your bests so far visuals dont matter the story does! and this is some great story you have here

  • @shaysuketchi5630
    @shaysuketchi5630 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    I didn't even know the video was cut short because of that guy, that shows you have great craftsmanship and know how to work with very little. Keep the videos coming, I love history.

  • @billiondollardan
    @billiondollardan 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    What a very interesting story. This is another one I had never heard of. Thanks!

  • @ghostynine2815
    @ghostynine2815 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    I am absolutely awestruck, I am sorry you had to deal with such a situation. If its worth it the video quality was only slightly lower and I didnt mind a slightly shorter episode. Overall, great work guys! This one really gave me a mind rager.

  • @mennonis
    @mennonis 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    I honestly didn't realize this video was hard to produce until I saw the comments referencing it, good job on rescuing this story, I enjoyed it

  • @ethanfallert2034
    @ethanfallert2034 5 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    Could you do a video on the Ethiopian battalion that fought in the korean war?

  • @discflame
    @discflame 5 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    I don't think it's a miracle. This feels like basic socio-economics. Zumra Nuru set out to make a commune, and if you don't mind my ideological proselytizing, i think it worked.

  • @dennistan2724
    @dennistan2724 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    I have a tremendous respect and admiration for what you do. Your work entertains, educates and provoke critical thinking. I am terribly sorry for the footages that were lost but like many I would not have know unless I read your description, it just shows the how amazing the quality of your work. please keep the good work going and I hope to meet you and work with you one day. Dennis tan

  • @mikewoods1622
    @mikewoods1622 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    This series is amazing. Bravo.

  • @iamneophyte
    @iamneophyte 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Whatever happened to the actual/different footage or whatever hampered the process of making this video, it still turned out to be fantastic. keep it love, i love it!

  • @williamchamberlain2263
    @williamchamberlain2263 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    You guys write and shoot so well, your paste-togethers are as good or better than most big-team productions.

  • @zakseipel9494
    @zakseipel9494 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Despite all the BS that you went through to get this vid done. The quality is pretty good and the content was great.

  • @booksandocha
    @booksandocha 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Regardless of the difficulties, it was a great video. Once again.

  • @ddoyle11
    @ddoyle11 5 ปีที่แล้ว +31

    Funny how peaceful and prosperous a society can be once religion is removed from it.

    • @Obscurai
      @Obscurai 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Or at the very least its influence of unsubstantiated dogma is diminished or relegated to secondary importance.

  • @MarkJonesisjustaman
    @MarkJonesisjustaman 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    That was a decent piece of journalism. Thank you. Interesting.

  • @AlexisSmithFilms
    @AlexisSmithFilms 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Love these videos

  • @Evil12monks
    @Evil12monks 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Why have I been binge watching these videos? I do enjoy them.

  • @NowayJose14
    @NowayJose14 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    I think that what people should arrive for is a perfect Utopia. What works for this community, and what I believe could work for others is the ability to address hardships and struggles head on, as a community, always evolving to be better.

  • @kreeesqeeel
    @kreeesqeeel 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Don’t worry about the footage man. It was great like always as far as I could tell. (I mean I mostly focus on what you’re saying rather than pay too much attention to footage

  • @alicewyan
    @alicewyan 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    The way you started talking about them I somehow was reminded of Bokonon 👀

  • @elizabethharttley4073
    @elizabethharttley4073 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Coexistence is beautiful and pure.

  • @temporarilyblond
    @temporarilyblond 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Top video as usual. Sorry for the struggle you went through whilst filming. But the important thing is to know about this place. Why can’t all the world be like this?

  • @fuzzyparker7045
    @fuzzyparker7045 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Beautiful!😊

  • @SolzeyeJewels
    @SolzeyeJewels 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Beautiful.

  • @horacioperez4641
    @horacioperez4641 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    For once I have watery eyes, it's beautiful what a few like-minded individuals initiated by a single man with a different view of the world and resolve by the future can accomplishing something so incredibly in terms of society.
    I really loved this episode of Rare Earth you deserve all my appraisals. Thank you for the video.

  • @omeharto288
    @omeharto288 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Your video's are amazing and an inspiration for me as a starting videographer and storyteller. Im sorry to hear you had to go through all that trouble with your old videographer. It's disgusting that someone would do such things! Stil looking for a new camera operator? ;)

  • @gaslitworldf.melissab2897
    @gaslitworldf.melissab2897 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Excellent. You never disappoint.

  • @planetx5269
    @planetx5269 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Wow, what a great society. Thank you for yourgreat videos.

  • @FOLIPE
    @FOLIPE 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    What an amazing community. That's a very decent ideology.

  • @jessicacole8404
    @jessicacole8404 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    *This actually sounds like goals*

  • @OspreyKnight
    @OspreyKnight 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Despite setbacks its still a compelling story. Thank you.

  • @SimonNZ6969
    @SimonNZ6969 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    All it takes is to treat everyone fairly/equally and you'd be amazed how much better a society can become. Equality isn't just a matter of morality or whatever. It actually benefits everyone.

  • @matthewgee4090
    @matthewgee4090 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Best pet of this video is when there are shots of the main guy talking...all the people behind and next to him wondering what’s going on haha

  • @centraltexasbear9973
    @centraltexasbear9973 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    I love it, I just gotta always thumbs up these videos.

  • @crazymanmot
    @crazymanmot 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    We appreciate the effort to get this video out.

  • @ItamarMedia
    @ItamarMedia 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    I love this show.

  • @TheDoveking
    @TheDoveking 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Sorry To hear about the unhelpful person you hired to film, I do agree the visuals were a little less than you normally put out, BUT, the story is what I come for and that was told (as per normal) with finesse and rich detail. Hope you can put this "experience" in your back pocket, learn from it, and keep making better and better journalism/docs, I'm loving them!

  • @janettaschuch3591
    @janettaschuch3591 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This village is the Gift of Wisdom.

  • @dinnerwithfranklin2451
    @dinnerwithfranklin2451 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Brilliant story, thanks

  • @tgooding
    @tgooding 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you for posting this

  • @Turgon92
    @Turgon92 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Good job lads,didnt even realise the abscense of footage

  • @milesbeler3974
    @milesbeler3974 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Kind of poetic that a video about the half destroyed but resiliant people was half destroyed yet resiliant to attempts made on it.

  • @BICHETO
    @BICHETO 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Excellent video, as usual. Now I want that hat too.

  • @johnhfox9213
    @johnhfox9213 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    It's only a cult because other adversarial cults call it that. Labels are used to fence people out or in, not to actually define them. Organized religions, political groups, and myriad petty power seekers always try to drag down any endeavor that surpasses their own standards of action.
    I say, Good for these folks, let them follow their own path towards fulfillment and enrichment. I hope they make it to establish whatever form of society they chose. Sadly, good works are often chewed up and spat out by the ruthless leaders that every nation seems infested with.

    • @saradanhoff6539
      @saradanhoff6539 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      That is why a good prince must be victorious before any virtue they possess may matter.