Behind the Bastards: Part Four – The Zizian Murder Spree (or Exactly How Harry Potter Fanfic Killed A Border Patrol Agent)
Release Date: March 20, 2025
Host/Author: Cool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts

Introduction

In this gripping episode of Behind the Bastards, Cool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts delve deep into the tumultuous rise and catastrophic fall of a fringe group within the rationalist community known as the "Zizians." This narrative explores how ideological extremism, coupled with internal abuse and violent tendencies, culminated in a series of tragic events, including the murder of a Border Patrol agent. The hosts meticulously unpack the psychological and sociological factors that led to this murder spree, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of how seemingly benign communities can devolve into dangerous cults.

Background on the Zizians and the Rationalist Community

The episode opens with the hosts discussing the allure of the rationalist movement and its susceptibility to forming subcultures that can spiral into extremism. Zizians, originally part of a rationalist fleet effort, began to exhibit increasingly radical beliefs under the influence of their charismatic leader, Ziz.

David:
"The rationalist community was rife with abuse," [05:54] echoing the allegations against Brent Dill, a prominent figure accused of coercing young women into extreme BDSM situations while providing them with drugs. This set the stage for a growing distrust and internal conflict within the community.

Early Conflicts: Abuse Allegations and SEFAR's Response

The revelation of abuse within the Rationalist community led to severe internal disputes. SEFAR (Strategic Exponential-Focused Assocation for Rationalism) conducted an internal investigation into Brent Dill's misconduct, ultimately exonerating him despite alarming allegations.

Gwyn:
"He is aligned with SEFAR's goals and strategy and should be seen as an ally who embodies a rare sense of heroic responsibility." [07:05]

This decision ignited outrage among many rationalists, who felt that SEFAR was prioritizing its reputation over addressing genuine misconduct. The failure to adequately handle such abuse allegations fueled further fragmentation and radicalization within the community.

Ziz's Leadership and Cult-like Behavior

Ziz, emerging as a central figure, began to exert more control over her followers, promoting a dualistic worldview where adherents were classified as either "double good" or "single good."

Gwyn:
"A cult is like a plant growing from the substrate of rationalism. The soil is extremely optimized for growing cults." [05:22]

Ziz's ideology emphasized the necessity of eliminating one's evil side to achieve a purer state of rationality, often advocating extreme measures to maintain community purity. This dogma positioned her as a messianic leader, willing to take drastic actions to protect the group's perceived utopian goals.

Escalation: Protests and Police Confrontations

Tensions reached a boiling point when Ziz and her core followers, now identifying as Zizians, organized a protest against SEFAR and MIRI (a related rationalist organization). Wearing black robes and Guy Fawkes masks, they blocked entrances to SEFAR's annual alumni reunion, distributing flyers that contained both factual accusations and cryptic, threatening messages.

David:
"They're wearing robes and Guy Fawkes masks, making everything sound cryptic and kind of threatening." [15:36]

This protest was not merely a display of dissent but an orchestrated act that culminated in violent confrontations with law enforcement. Zizians held firm against police demands, leading to aggressive arrests where members reported being sexually assaulted by officers.

Gwyn:
"When we arrived, the police arrived with their guns out and we were immediately arrested within about 10 minutes of us arriving, after which we were sexually assaulted." [19:25]

Shift to Box Truck Living and New Associates

Following the fallout from the protest, the Zizians transitioned from their fleet operations to living out of box trucks. This change was partly due to practical challenges and partly an ideological shift towards greater isolation.

Somni:
"They’re moving out of the boats and ending things by leaving their tugboat adrift, causing a modest environmental crisis." [22:10]

During this period, they attracted individuals like Curtis Lynde, an 80-year-old with a background in shipping, who became entangled with the group. Curtis's attempts to move away from the boat life and his interactions with the Zizians introduced new dynamics, including escalating threats and eventual violence.

Violent Incidents and Murders

The narrative takes a dark turn with the account of violent incidents orchestrated by the Zizians. Curtis Lynde, initially seen as a supportive figure, became a target following a heated eviction process. Accusations of verbal abuse and transphobia led to heightened tensions, culminating in a brutal attack.

Gwyn:
"Curtis walked all the way from his trailer to their trucks while they were packing their things and opened fire." [55:14]

In a separate yet related incident, Jamie Zazko's involvement deepens the cycle of violence. After orchestrating an internal conflict within the Zizians, Jamie confronts Ziz with a chilling ultimatum to murder her girlfriend, Alice Munday, to make amends for her deceptive actions.

Jamie Zazko:
"During her last phone call, Ziz informed me that the only way I could gain her trust and make up for what I did was to murder Alice." [43:15]

This ultimatum sets the stage for impending tragedy, with threats escalating to real violence, including the eventual assassination of Curtis Lynde and the murder of Jamie's parents in Pennsylvania.

Legal Battles and Arrests

As the Zizians' activities grew more volatile, law enforcement began to take notice. Legal battles ensued, with charges ranging from disorderly conduct to attempted murder. The group's attempts to evade justice included faking deaths and manipulating legal processes, further entrenching their precarious position.

Gwyn:
"Ziz is declared dead and her family prints an obituary. Gwyn's death faking is a little less successful." [50:35]

Despite Ziz's apparent capture and subsequent release, the group's influence persisted, with members continuing their extremist activities and evading comprehensive legal repercussions.

Final Capture and Conclusion

The episode culminates with the final dissolution of the Zizians following a series of violent confrontations and deaths. In a dramatic culmination, Ziz, Jamie, and Daniel Blank are apprehended after a shootout with law enforcement, marking the end of their murderous spree.

Gwyn:
"They all get arrested and charged with everything the cops could throw at them, which is like illegal possession, carrying a firearm, stuff like that." [83:28]

The hosts reflect on the tragic outcomes, emphasizing the dangers of unchecked ideological extremism and the fragility of communities susceptible to cult-like dynamics. The episode serves as a cautionary tale about the dark paths that can emerge from rationalist subcultures when leadership becomes toxic and violent.

Notable Quotes

• David: "This became an infohazard. They’re not wrong to use that term, just not in the way they mean it." [00:22]

• Gwyn: "A cult is like a plant growing from the substrate of rationalism. The soil is extremely optimized for growing cults." [05:22]

• Somni: "Trust us to figure it out. We'll police ourselves." [06:38]

• Gwyn: "If you’re trying to explain the storm, you could just say it's a cult. You can say it’s this weird bay area cult about science and AI and shit." [05:38]

• David: "It’s the rationalist community forming a cult because they tend to ignore all the suicides in the rationalist community." [07:12]

• Gwyn: "Ziz decides that the value of all the sea life that it kills is less than the value of them continuing their work." [22:45]

• Somni: "They just dig deeper and deeper and deeper." [35:15]

• Gwyn: "It’s as if they’re trying to hack and upgrade each other. It’s like Scientology in the form of a codependent friend group." [35:09]

• David: "Don't do any of the things in this episode, please." [87:26]

Conclusion

Behind the Bastards masterfully unravels the complex and tragic tale of the Zizians, highlighting how extremist ideologies can hijack rationalist communities, leading to devastating consequences. Through meticulous research and engaging dialogue, the podcast underscores the importance of vigilance against cult-like dynamics and the imperative to address internal abuses within any community to prevent such spirals into violence.

Listeners are left with a sobering reminder of the thin line between passionate advocacy and dangerous fanaticism, urging a critical examination of the groups we choose to follow and the ideologies we adopt.

Note: This summary is based on the provided transcript and is intended to offer a comprehensive overview of the episode's content. For a complete understanding, listening to the full episode is recommended.