What Really Happened Inside The World's Most Dangerous Cult?

Go to zbiotics.com/thoughty2 and get 15% off your first order of ZBiotics Pre-Alcohol Probiotic by using my code THOUGHTY2 at checkout.
Thanks to ZBiotics for sponsoring today’s video!
Thoughty2 Audiobook: geni.us/t2audio
Thoughty2 Book: geni.us/t2book
Support Me & Get Early Access: bit.ly/t2club
Thoughty2 Merchandise: bit.ly/t2merch
Follow Thoughty2
Facebook: / thoughty2
Instagram: / thoughty2
Website: thoughty2.com
About Thoughty2
Thoughty2 (Arran) is a British KZbinr and gatekeeper of useless facts. Thoughty2 creates mind-blowing factual videos about science, tech, history, opinion and just about everything else.
#Thoughty2
Writing:Jonathan Grant
Editing: Jack Stevens
Script Development: Steven Rix

[@Thoughty2]

Thanks for watching! Go to zbiotics.com/thoughty2 and get 15% off your first order of ZBiotics Pre-Alcohol Probiotic by using my code THOUGHTY2 at checkout. And thanks to ZBiotics for sponsoring today’s video!

[@tikimillie]

3:55 you’re telling me a lil boy who can’t even dress himself could read the fucking bible?

[@nickevershedmusic8927]

Nope, I don't drink and neither should anyone really

[@nickevershedmusic8927]

People should be reminded by hangovers that drinking it bad

[@paulborst4724]

*Huh, another example of communism imploding.*

[@irriswarrirris]

I've been enjoying your videos for a while now. A couple of years now. So please look up what's going on in my country and see if its worth covering. There's an air hostess who gave up everything cleared her bank accounts took her son and all that money to join the cult. They are asked to starve themselves to death. And they actually do. It's just shocking. Pleasseee look it up. SHAKAHOLA KILIFI DEATHS.

[@michaelmccarthy4077]

One of my favorite survivor stories is that of Hyacinth Thrash. At 73 years old, she escaped the massacre by hiding under her bed when the guards swept through the sleeping cabins. When the she came out from under the bed, everyone was dead. She would sit in Jonestown for an entire day, with the bodies of the dead all around, waiting for rescue.

[@nhmooytis7058]

There’s a book about her, The Onliest One Alive.

[@LucienSabre]

Another old lady (forgot her exact age) survived because she didn’t hear Jones calling his followers….because *she was asleep.* She slept throughout it all, only being awakened from the Guyanan army troops sent by the government to investigate the camp.

[@nhmooytis7058]

@@LucienSabre that was Hyacinth.

[@LucienSabre]

@@nhmooytis7058 Nope. As said in the top comment (unless he got it wrong), Hyacinth hid under the bed....meaning she was *awake* when Jones and his guards called upon the followers. The lady I'm talking about was SLEEPING....not sleepY, *ASLEEP,* and _did not hear_ a single thing - how could she have hidden under the bed if she SLEPT? 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@nhmooytis7058]

@@LucienSabre he was wrong she didn’t hide. She fell asleep. Do some research or don’t post.

[@Don_of_the_Dad]

There’s audio of the cult’s final hour. It’s bone chilling. Children screaming, psychotic singing and Jim Jones actively giving the orders and talking people through their death. It’s absolute nightmare fuel.

[@Cuzzo317]

Where can I find it

[@jesusgarcia-qf4eb]

@@Cuzzo317 kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpXRfoWhoLCZl6M

[@chere100]

@@Cuzzo317 Why would you want to traumatize yourself? Just go watch 2 girls 1 cup, plenty of... safer? Trauma there.

[@made-line7627]

​@@chere100Waaay too much trauma in _that_ video

[@brinaskore]

​@@chere100 curiosity

[@momcat2223]

RIP Don Harris [one of the journalists slaughtered at the airfield] who was, for a time, a fixture of the Dallas news scene. Due to his demise, local coverage was extensive and images from the Jonestown Massacre coverage are etched into my memory, especially aerial footage of the unbelievable carnage. I distinctly remember having to turn off the television, put on my coat, and go for a walk to keep from losing it over all those dead children.

[@CellarDoorx06]

You seem like a wonderful person.

[@gingersnaps7186]

I’m glad you put on your coat.

[@wrmorris2]

RIP MR Harris

[@calinbrown517]

I was just a little girl when it happened and I will never forget that,ever!!! It was the first time I saw my parents cry and dead children! That's the day I understood bad things can happen to children too and age didn't matter when evil was around!

[@caroljo420]

​@@calinbrown517Chicken?

[@titian5672]

My mother told me that my grandparents had Jim over for Sunday dinner after church once. Apparently, he was a guest preacher at their church. It was something my grandparents never spoke about.

[@MrJasnotron]

Seems weird to have an atheist be a guest speaker about churh

[@joeo1725]

How did your mother know that if it was something your grandparents never spoke about? 😅

[@titian5672]

@@joeo1725 She was there.

[@caroljo420]

That's disturbing....

[@xxviixxvii5585]

I listened to his death tape a number of times. At first one asks how does he convince almost 1000 people to delete themselves over one speech. But after a few times you recognize that while there were a small number not wanting to do this, most of the crowd was already prepared and agreeable to dying long before that speech was made.

[@garrysekelli6776]

I think that they believed that they thought that they would be killed in short order wether they drank the koolaid or not. Except the kids. They probably didn't know what exactly was going on.

[@JessieHTX]

The “small” number not wanting to do it didn’t sound so small. There are a lot of loud voices going against him in the tape.

[@icosthop9998]

UnReal

[@jimmym3352]

It didn't help they were out in the middle of nowhere. Even if they escaped, there really is nowhere to go. Had they been in San Fransisco, I think more would have escaped.

[@orazha]

Of course it wouldn't have taken people long to realize that that time was the real time. Jones had been preparing the people for this kind of event. I don't know how many times over what length of time but he staged the drinking several times with a placebo before the actual poisoning took place.

[@miaharmon-gp5ky]

Marceline was a lovely, compassionate woman by nature. Loyalty to her husband was just what she knew until it was too late. Marceline was my father's aunt. She and Jones were married in a double wedding, along with my grandparents. My father was a member of the Temple in the redwood area of northern California. The stories I heard as a young teenager sparked a lifelong fascination with criminology, specifically in cases such as this. I always wondered what could drive a person to commit such heinous acts against those who had the deepest of trust in them. The idea still eludes me to this day. To all my family I lost in the most tragic way, you will not be forgotten. To Aunt Marceline, I know you wanted to stop him. It very well could've been you who dealt Jim his fate before taking your own life. I forgive you. My goal is to honor you and the many others who had been robbed of their lives, and punished for their faith. Rest easy.

[@williamsebastian853]

I admire your inner strength and compassion, not many could do the same even with the intellectual understanding that it's the best thing to do

[@stephenhancock1578]

Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@kevinalexander2951]

She sat by his side through basically all of it she is not innocent, pathetic attempting to defend any of these brainwashed fools

[@TheJpep2424]

She was loyal to a evil psycho cult leader that abused women and children.

[@Ying-yang6969]

Rest in peace beautiful soul❤

[@robertarnold9594]

I remember hearing the final tape long ago, and to hear the children in the background after being given the poison was heartbreaking.

[@miaharmon-gp5ky]

One of the hardest things I've ever tried to remove from my mind. I held the original tape. Saw the sock monkey one of his surviving children brought home from Guyana. The weight of sadness attached to those items...evil is real. Tangible.

[@FLAVCO]

The most disturbing thing I’ve ever heard.

[@blitzmotorscooters1635]

I think the Heavens Gate mass suicide was scarier although the body count was far less. The reason is, the Heavens Gate suicides were unforced, totally preplanned and voluntary. They all went to their grave "willingly" after weeks of advance notice that this was for sure a suicide cult. Indeed, they didnt think it was the end, they literally thought that they were going to a spaceship to be among angels. A few of the victims had even left the cult, but came back to die! And two former members who missed the mass suicide after leaving the group actually committed suicide in the following months or years. Their hypnosis under Applewhite's insane sermons is horrific, and some of the male members volunteered to be castrated and indeed followed thru with it. The whole thing is strange and sickening to the max.

[@evergreatest8909]

Jesus is the only truth in life. Jesus told us there would be many fakes prophets that will lead people astray. Every cult leader just reminds me that Jesus is always true and he told us these things would happen.

[@stephenpmurphy591]

Why did the Heavens Gates members all have bus fair?

[@blitzmotorscooters1635]

@@stephenpmurphy591 Is this like a chicken cross the road joke? idk man

[@stephenpmurphy591]

@@blitzmotorscooters1635 The comet required Bus fair. I'm not joking. It's funny..

[@thebigdog2295]

Heavens Gate was the one that made the phrase "Don't drink the Kool Aid" forever cemented into our culture. These two incidents are responsible for a saying that most of today's youth use, without knowing where it comes from. Jim Jones poured the foundation of the saying, and Heavens Gate made it forever cemented into our culture. I'm old enough to remember both events happening. And it's made forever suspicious of people who offer salvation of any kind with a price tag.

[@AMisfit]

Moral of the story: Don't drink the Kool-Aid

[@AbbyBlackbird]

IT. WAS. FLAVOR. AID.

[@rayneofstars22]

@@AbbyBlackbird yes, but the saying has always been koolaid, despite the brand fighting the saying for years.

[@drewtheceo9024]

Jimmy why does this taste funny. (HUSH CHILD....drink 💀) creeps me out. Look I'm just gonna leave this right here... Horrible.

[@JK-gm6kk]

Of course the first reply is "Acktchually..."

[@imaspoon4522]

@@JK-gm6kk But "don't drink the Kool-Aid" made me cringe so bad, because it's like saying "the moral is water is wet"

[@steventaylor2551]

I know this story front to back and this is the first time I heard the story of his wife! You always bring new things to the table!

[@Lordradost]

It's also in one of the documentaries. His wife reached her limit / full realization when it was too late. Pleading and begging, while being casually dismissed as a "dumb woman" as hundreds of children and adults were about to partake in mass murder and suicide. Little wonder she opted out under such duress, guilt, tragedy and terror. (One of his adopted sons survived, by the way, because he was playing basketball in town. He loved the father he had and hated the same man that was his father.)

[@endirareeknauth760]

as a Guyanese myself, alot of us don't know of him and what he did. I found out only a couple years ago and im very sure most of our population doesn't know too.

[@saimoncapoeira]

your channel, the why files, and Mr. Ballen are the best ones. good storytelling, good voice to listen to and great stories every time

[@klarabarunovic9841]

I don't know who Why files is but I agree with what you said

[@sixzty1524]

yes!

[@rothed16]

​@@klarabarunovic9841 you need to check on those files. I've been watching all of them since I found the channel 2 months ago

[@rothed16]

You need to include Matthew Santoro for comic relief. I too watch the other 3 choices, but have to add Matthew for a good laugh(his antics) and his content is pretty knowledgeable as well

[@saimoncapoeira]

@@klarabarunovic9841 you got to check the why files out. For me these 3 are the best with story telling, tone of their voices and back ground animation.

[@cbmx1x1]

“A very naughty boy”: understatement of the century.

[@soundscape26]

Monty Python reference.

[@andreshernandez1180]

It’s from Life Of Brian

[@RejectedInch]

@@soundscape26 yeah, also calling Jones as " psycotic c*nt" ( more accurate) would have demonetised the video.

[@elvisneedsboats3714]

I remember when this first hit the news (on tv, of course). My first thoughts were “This can’t be true” and “It can’t possibly be that bad, right?”. It was so much worse than we even thought initially. I am fascinated by the psychology of cults, but I will never truly understand it. Then again, I’m a natural born atheist who never had any religious faith despite being raised Lutheran. I never bought any of it, even as a child, so I can’t comprehend how something like this happens to otherwise “normal” people. Still, it’s a fascinating subject.

[@taitano12]

As someone who was born and raised in a religion... I can't understand it either. People will cling and listen to the charismatic guy on stage, but not the scriptures they're citing; regardless of if it's the Bible, Quran, Buddhist writings... Whatever. My devotion is to Jehovah, a xeno from outside space-time, not some guy on a stage. The Devil himself is a far better leader than any human who has a god complex like Jones. I am a man of Science and God. I understand atheists and agnostics FAR more than anyone who puts more faith in humans or their religion than in facts and truth.

[@cjaquino28]

It's a combination of charisma and a sense of belonging. I'm Christian and go to church, but I've always been conscious about stuff, since I like logic more than anything else. In the case of religious sects, they all have the same pattern: A charismatic leader shepherding a flock of people with a sad background. Usually, the followers are people that have some kind of abandonment complex, people that didn't grow up in a united family or that didn't have many friends. We are social beings; we want to belong somewhere with others like us. The sect leaders exploit this. I was part of a church in which the pastors abused the followers. Nothing at the level as we saw here, not even close, but they didn't hesitate to resort to blackmailing and verbal abuse if that means they can assert their power. When I asked my friends there, why didn't they do anything about it, but they just didn't answer me. Later I understood why after knowing them better: For them, it was either stay there and belong in a sort of "family" or go back to being alone, and that terrified them, since most of them came from a broken home. I feel nothing but sympathy for people like that, who are the most susceptible to manipulation from clever people with twisted morals.

[@RogerValor]

faith alone does not do this to people, being an atheist does not save you from manipulation, this is a misconception. in fact, people who stand quite strong in their faith are probably safer from such, than those who are undecided and easy to influence.

[@elvisneedsboats3714]

@@RogerValor Yes, that is certainly true. We are all susceptible to various types of manipulation all the time. However, I was referring to religious cults in general. Not trying to start a religious argument or disrespect anyone who has any kind of beliefs. Just talking about my personal perspective. I know some people classify all religions as cults, but I’m not one of them. Jim Jones, Heaven’s Gate and the like are just so far from normal experience that I struggle to connect them to otherwise rational people.

[@JimiHendrix989]

there is some truth to what has been commented here, but i would also say these relationships remind me of abusive romantic relationships. yes, i’m sure there is this desire to belong, but these people are also extremely manipulative. you get this high from this new and exciting concept and person and community, and that makes you more susceptible to believe whatever they’re pedaling. and once you’re buried in it, fear keeps you under. fear of being harmed if you’re trying to leave, fear that you’ve wasted your life on this, fear that you have nothing to go back to. you lose your independence when you get wrapped up in a cult and that fear can easily keep you from getting out or even put you in denial because you don’t want to admit that what’s happening to you is wrong. that would mean digging yourself out. it’s a vicious cycle. there are definitely groups of people that are more likely to get wrapped up in a cult, as has been mentioned, but it can happen to virtually anyone. it’s sad to hear about the victims of cults, and horrifying. under the right circumstances aligned with our own personal beliefs and relationships, it really could happen to any of us, or our loved ones. this world is a scary place sometimes and there are some truly evil yet magnetic people in it

[@spankflaps1365]

Another way to look at apocalyptic scams is start with the punch line “give me all your money and property, then top yourself”, and work backwards from there.

[@worldtraveler930]

I remember watching on TV the final footage from the news camera of the senator trying to get into the plane as everyone including the camera man was gunned down, it's amazing the film survived and all these years later it is still as gruesome as it was watching it only shortly after it happen!!!! 🥺

[@armorykittington]

Another banger. The rate of information, the transitions, the sequencing, the animation - Everything is in perfect symbiosis. Nothing is even slightly obtuse. Very well-oiled machine, ya got.

[@fusion_insights]

Overall, this is a fascinating yet disturbing topic that serves as a stark reminder of the dark side of human nature and the dangers of groupthink. It's essential that we continue to educate ourselves and others about this tragic event so that we can prevent similar situations from happening in the future.

[@pingpong-oj4rg]

The story of Jim Jones and the Peoples Temple is both fascinating and deeply disturbing, and it is important that we learn from this tragic event to prevent similar situations from happening in the future.

[@rajivranjan_3412]

The story of Jim Jones and the Peoples Temple is indeed a terrifying one. It's a cautionary tale of the dangers of blind faith and the consequences of unchecked power

[@DrT0705]

The sad thing is that despite this event becoming international news at the time, there are still dozens and dozens of horrific cult stories that happened after this, so some people didn't learn from it. Often people don't realise they are in a cult until it's too late, so I think the best thing we can all do is keep in touch with friends and family, check in on them when they might be especially vulnerable to the influence of a cult, such as leaving home for the 1st time or moving to a new place where they don't know many people. Of course sometimes high-functioning people with good loving relationships can STILL come under the spell of cults, but for the most part, it tends to be lonely, purposeless, and unhappy individuals.

[@linky202]

Thoughty2 is my favorite youtuber, hands down. Every video oozes quality

[@suec9426]

I was 28 when this horrific event occurred. News programs showed helicopter footage of the camp with hundreds of bloated bodies lying on the ground - they had been there in the hot sun two or three days when they were found . I can’t imagine how the people who had to clean up that site were able to cope with the memories, especially of all the poor children who suffered so much. So many precious lives lost for nothing. May all the misguided and innocent victims rest in peace.

[@nhmooytis7058]

I was 26 and remember it very well.

[@PaulaBean]

Only a small amount compared to the millions that were slaughtered in the name of the god of the bible.

[@suec9426]

@@PaulaBean And not only that god.

[@PaulaBean]

@@suec9426 Say it like it is!

[@Scotty_cooks]

@@PaulaBeanas opposed to those slaughtered by atheistic democide? Hitler : 17 million Stalin: 6-9 million Pol put : 2 million God or religions fault? Regardless of what you believe christianity does not support this psychopaths actions of killing innocents.

[@rayneofstars22]

I have been OBSESSED with the story of Jones town since I was a kid! I just can’t fathom someone doing something so terrible. Great Video topic as always! ❤️❤️❤️ Edit: This story never gets easier to hear! If you ever hear the term “they drank the koolaid” or “don’t drink the koolaid” it’s in reference to Jones Town. That’s why education and history are so important. It allows us to learn from these terrible tragedies, and not make these horrific mistakes again…

[@ms.deelighttarot254]

Same

[@loneraven5656]

Me too

[@armorykittington]

I mean, this is a lot easier to hear than the actual recorded audio of the whole thing going down. I don't plan on listening to that again for the rest of my life. Wouldn't recommend. Can't unhear.

[@MeerschweinchenArmageddonCop]

My grandpa knew jim jones

[@rayneofstars22]

@@MeerschweinchenArmageddonCop really?! That’s fascinating, I bet he had some interesting stories to tell! 😳

[@farrdawgjoker7087]

You got it right and said it was Flavor-aid not Kool-aid ever though the phrase don't drink the Kool-aid came from this horrible event. One amazing story is about a woman who took a nap only to wake up and find everyone else dead including her family.

[@oo7-ro6bu]

She hid under her bed.

[@nugley]

I like that if you 'drink the Kool-aid' you enjoy the real thing, the genuine article, but FFS stay away from the cheap copy.

[@nhmooytis7058]

Hyacinth Thrash.

[@karidennis6154]

Don’t drink the flavor-ade doesn’t have the same zip i guess

[@stanleyhape8427]

I love the people who obsess over it being called Kool-aid .

[@TheDude12374]

I never thought Arran would do a story on Jim Jones. Good job, as usual. It brings back horrible memories. Our next-door neighbors lost their grandchildren in that tragedy. I was just a kid myself at the time, only a couple years younger than them. Their parents survived by being lucky enough to have been away from Jonestown when the mass murder took place.

[@sentoneYYC]

For those interested in more details about this story, like every possible detail and description of the rise and fall of Jim Jones i strongly recommend the podcast The Martyrmade - there are several hour long episodes but believe me its completely worth it.

[@kyleeconrad]

It was flavoraid. I dont know how this is always so overlooked. Koolaid gets all the bad rep and flavoraid dodged a serious bullet.

[@stanleyhape8427]

Not even true. Neither brand was affected by calling it kool-aid. Kool-aid was and has been the standout in dry drink mix. It has become like Bandaid, Kleenex, and others.

[@Hollylivengood]

There were a lot of escapees at first. When they first went to Guyana, he had the policy that if you wanted to leave, leave and don't infect the people. They had regular truck shipments of stuff they made to be sold in town, so that was not a problem, but you were responsible for getting yourself home, which was a problem. They had a community basketball team that used to play regular league games in town, so people went in and out right up to the end. One of his kids was saved from the suicide by being in town for a game. Crazy.

[@JamesThomas-gg6il]

I remember seeing it on the news, I was 11 and remember the story told then. I also remember how things kept getting twisted around and rumors and apologists and so on. I remember the report of senator Ryan being gunned down in Guyana. I thought I had forgotten about this evil time, but I'm glad I haven't.

[@loufancelli1330]

I remember when this happened, I was 7 and it is one of those things that you just don't forget hearing about. I had a globe and I looked at it to find out where this "Guyana" place was, and it was far away, but the pictures from the newspaper and TV were definitely real. To this day I am still fascinated by this, and many other cults. When asking "how do people get sucked into a cult" I have learned that they don't start out as cults, but evolve to that over time. Such a sad existence and ending for those people.

[@a.loismurphy9070]

Many people become suddenly rich in the world of cryptocurrencies while others become destitute. Securing your future is in your hands, so invest today and become a winner for life.

[@emeraldtiger8186]

Investing is one of the ways to succeed in life, you can invest without waiting for the government. Invest in yourself and be successful.

[@galenadmitry862]

Cryptocurrency was my only source of income during the pandemic. However, Elon Musk confirmed that he purchased around $1.5 billion worth of bitcoins in January and hopes to start accepting them as payment in the future.

[@user-li5ps8qq4e]

​@@emeraldtiger8186You're right, most millionaires didn't get rich through saving and that's why I'm diverting and investing more in the digital market

[@elizabethmount1932]

I'm glad i decided to work with a professional broker Mrs Mildred Dorta who helped me in making a profit of $23,000 after a short period of time.

[@tunechialexander2976]

I'm very devastated, i need help, i lost $15,000 in a live trade because of bad decisions. How do i recover?

[@tuxedodelta]

I feel like I take this channel for granted, so i just wanted to stop and say thank you for all your hard work that goes into the content, Arran. Another proper banger!

[@lealmelisa]

Thank you for this video, this is defintelly one of the scariest cult stories.

[@JournalsByKatieLynn]

Seen so many docs on this but you always have something up your sleeve that I’ve never heard before or never thought of in a certain way

[@LetsbeHonestOfficial]

''A certain tiny mustached German'' is such a beautifully British way to describe him. We all know the history and the English peoples ability to banter

[@bunyipdragon9499]

And in the future you'll hear people say - that orange man with strange hair. 😂😂

[@LetsbeHonestOfficial]

@@bunyipdragon9499 I might even bet ''The Orange'' will suffice, lol

[@susi-emily]

Except he was Austrian, not German.

[@marcosdenizatrailhiker2037]

Or the corrupt doddering fool pretending he’s a roomba…

[@miflockz6267]

amazing video, yet i wish it was the plot of a stephen king book rather than a sad reminder of how evil humans can be. thanks for keeping the weekly schedule Arran its the only thing that makes me enjoy mondays.

[@LilArrowInkorperated]

This video is by far the best edited video you made yet! I really enjoy your humor and the variety of imagery! ❤

[@janea4777]

They had a fake poison drinking episode a week before. Some of the people who gave the drink to their kids thought the drink wasn’t really poisoned.

[@charlesachurch7265]

I enjoy your presentations. Especially this one!

[@Mr.Guild1971]

My father was in the Missouri Air National guard for over 30 yrs and as a child I remember they were sent to Gyana with planes full of CASKETS for the victims.They didn't have to recover bodies .I recall the news and all so clear even though I was so young,being born in '69 Some of my earliest memories are of World events and political news,back when news was actually news(mostly).Dad did missions to I think every central American country.Many of those were under marshal law or Damn near.I remember how he told me of there being armed soldiers everywhere you went.Panama was still under control of the USA then and was of course more maintained and calm.He was there several times.The Gyana trip was in and out trip .I don't think they ever left the base. Very comprehensive coverage of his twisted life and Death in a short Documentary.Always Great Thoughty2 ! As always I learned a few new things

[@scribebat]

A bit conflicted here about giving this one a thumbs up. 😕 i remember when this happened. It was reported in the news that 'They all drank KoolAide laced with cyanide' and about the team that arrived in the aftermath finding bodies all over the place rotting in the tropical heat and humidity. But thanks for the much more detailed and nuanced recounting of Jim Jones and Jonestown than i've run into anywhere else, hadn't run into much of anything about Jones' backstory beyond 'cult leader' before.

[@ApexHerbivore]

You're not "liking" the message, you're liking the channel. Why conflicted?

[@scribebat]

@@ApexHerbivoreHm. i guess you've never watched anything on KZbin where you've never been to the particular channel before and never return and give it a thumbs up or down based entirely on the content of that one video, eh? Because you see something one way doesn't mean that the rest of the world does.

[@ApexHerbivore]

​@@scribebat 1. This person clicked on the video because they are familiar with the story, so they already know how it turns out. Why would you click on a video you know is about something bad, only to downvote it?! 2. _"A bit conflicted here about giving this one a thumbs up"_ This language implies the OP is a regular to the channel, and would normally upvote, but just isn't sure about this video in particular. 3. _"thanks for the much more detailed and nuanced recounting..."_ OP clearly appreciates the content, and the channel for making it. 4. The issue here is obviously that the OP doesn't want to be seen to be approving of death cults by upvoting, but still wants to let the channel know that their work is appreciated. Which is bizarre, because upvotes are anonymous. 5. This can lead us to the conclusion that the OP is more interested in publicly virtue-signalling their apparent abhorrence for death cults, rather than just liking the video and moving on. What's even stranger is you becoming offended on their behalf. Especially when I didn't have a go at them, I just asked them a question. PS believe me when I say I'm incredibly used to seeing things differently to most people!

[@scribebat]

@@ApexHerbivore ROFL. ok, if you say so.

[@ApexHerbivore]

@@scribebat happy to hear a counter argument if you have one 😁

[@Styrophoamicus]

I like that you spent so much of the time talking about his early years. I'd never heard of any of that!

[@skwervin1]

I remember when this happened and watching the footage of the shooting at the plane and then later the scene at the campsite. Truly frightening stuff.

[@neanda]

that was dark af. Thank you for keeping this information active, hopefully it'll prevent a reoccurrance because people will be more aware

[@Lordradost]

_"The kids aren't in pain. They're crying because of the bitter taste"_ - on cyanide poisoning. This was such a horrific event and like The Wave (1981), should be mandatory education in all schools about the dangers of ideological possession.

[@johnellison3030]

I actually remember this bloke from when I was a child. He made the news and TV more then once here in Australia way back then. Before the massacre at Jonestown.

[@CooleyHigh20]

I like to think of the historical facts as a nice bonus to the actual video of the come-to-bed wink at the end

[@josephcooter5763]

I was eight years old when Jones Town happened. In fact, I can still recall seeing the pictures of the dead bodies on my tv set. It was enough to make you sick. Sure enough a couple of weeks later I came down with a stomach bug and got dehydrated; spending a couple of days in the hospital.

[@grannykiminalaska]

I was a kid when Jonestown happened. I remember my whole family watching the news. It was horrific 😢.

[@spengy4206]

Always in time for my night shift, shame I only realised you had posted until the very end had to listen to the rest driving home. Working a bank holiday as well who'd be me

[@R-towne]

How did I miss this one ??? My week is not the same without a new thought 2.

[@Starskream3030]

“Briefcase wanka”…..says thoughty with the clever inbetweeners reference 😅💼🤓

[@ASA_Playz_MC]

Just a week ago I was looking up if you had made a video on the peoples temple, lo and behold, it comes out now! Really tragic event but a damn good video nevertheless. I would love to see more videos about cults

[@Kirito150]

Keep up the great work ❤

[@bigman2352]

15:00 I do love your sarcasm so much 😂

[@orazha]

I was an army "guinea pig" in San Francisco between '72 and '74. Guinea pigs tended to be Conscientious objectors, willing to serve in the army but not willing to carry a weapon or kill. One of my fellow guinea pigs didn't live on base. He told me about the church that he went to which was where he lived in SF. We were both to be discharged about the same time in '74. I asked him what he would do after discharge. He said that the church he was part of was collecting weapons so that they could "take over San Francisco for the Lord". Though I thought that was a weird thing for anyone to do, let alone a CO, I suspected that that wouldn't happen. A few weeks later, he confided in me that the church leader had changed his mind. They'd purchased some land in South America and were building a farm on it. He was intending to go there. Usually, when I spoke with him, he had his best friend with him who also belonged to the church. One time they came in excited and told me about how the two of them were on their way to their church when they saw 2 identical motorcycles for sale. They saw that as a sign from God and bought both of them. Of the 3 events, they sounded excited about all 3 but finding these small motorcycles seemed to give them the most excitement. I never told anyone about the claims that they made about going to war with SF or moving to SA. Looking back on it, I would be surprised if they were not part of the People's Temple as that was about the time Jones had decided to move to SA. I have read a lot about Jones and the People's Temple but don't remember these guys' names and don't recognize them in the list of the dead. But I do wonder if I'm right that they were, at that time, a part of Jones' church. Yet I've never read anything about a Jones' plan of going to war against SF.

[@keithweiss7899]

I remember this all very well. Years later I joined an Independent Baptist Church in Arnold Missouri. The pastor seemed like a really great man. Very encouraging and fun to help. But as time went by I saw into his hidden life. He was an evil man who used his position to steal money and sexual favors from people. When he told everyone that they were either with him, or they were against him and had to leave, I knew he crossed the line. Shortly thereafter I took my family and left. He was furious and lied about me and anyone else who dared leave his cult. A few years later he died a relatively young man. I can see how these madmen can brainwash their church. Those techniques are taught by various Bible colleges. His was in Indiana, of course.

[@KanyeTheGayFish69]

Always the Baptist’s

[@kammy6340]

2:25 I have never seen anything besides Arran's upper body in all my years watching this channel (from the suit and tie days to the now more semi formal open collar shirts) and I must say, I am not disappointed. Man got looks, body and smarts 😅

[@Canalcoholic]

13:45 “Things are about to kick off” - genius touch there👍

[@robertsollory7475]

I'm not a stranger to the events but it was interesting to hear them retold by Arron.

[@cyprezz]

It's kind of what is going on in our society today, except both sides are pointing at each other that the other side is in the cult.

[@therealemtothebee]

1:49 well you really know your audience im watching this in the morning after a night getting absolutely hammered

[@cherilynnfisher5658]

Jones was just one of many! BSC/PHDS/8&3

[@CraicDealer]

The Jonestown tape is one of the most harrowing and heartbreaking things I have ever listened to.

[@erinlorca1240]

Mother mother mother please....

[@gracewaithira7000]

I guess Paul Mackenzie was his student..did a similar thing in Kenya only that we're still unearthing bodies 💔

[@veritas2048]

😢

[@njokibella]

I thought he was the first one. And to think ATI 100 people ni wengi. Huyu ni over 900😮

[@Mr.Ndunyu]

Great content delivery

[@bigman2352]

8:29 … and all that crap 😂 Oh I do love your sarcasm 😂👏

[@budhancock5719]

I am so happy and grateful for your hard work, dedication, and spiritual wisdom!

[@BiornBear]

I was 11 when the mass killing took place. It was so horrible and remember people crying and in shock. I remember hearing one man so afraid he left his own child there so he could run away. He should have drank the punch too to leave his son there.

[@jacobmartinelli7496]

the ad portion of the video probably explains what causes spontaneous human combustion

[@paxanimi3896]

Televangelists are thrilling with this ideas…

[@GlurglePop]

I’m doing backflips trying to figure out how Jones reconciled nazism, communism and racial harmony. I think he just liked having undue power. I’ll stop there.

[@nhmooytis7058]

You can’t really understand a madman unless you too are mad.

[@makako86]

I first learned about this guy with a video that left me without sleeping for 4 nights straight.

[@AzrexoInrexisqrue-jq6dt]

dude get some sleep rn

[@jamesthornton3539]

​@Azrexo Inrexisqrue think he means the death tape

[@peggycarlyle6409]

I knew about this, but really appreciated this in-depth reporting.

[@sinewave3323]

Yth does it always sound like he's saying 42 here! lmaoooo!

[@Martyn_Wolf]

Simple solution to a simple problem... Don't drink alcohol, never have to worry about hangovers again. It's amazing how such simple solutions are always ignored...

[@Mr94Productions]

Man, this boils my blood. If I could I would do things to his remains. That guy doesn't deserve to rest in peace.

[@nhmooytis7058]

He’s not, he’s rotting in Hell. He’d gone over to Satan long before he died.

[@GIBBO4182]

0:50 that “The Life Of Brian” reference!! 😂

[@darrenhogan7347]

Nailed it! Keep em coming boss!

[@PuffinPass]

I am still not convinced that this wasn't a CIA operation gone sideways. I usually don't put much stock in conspiracy theories but this one has all the earmarks of being more than just a cult with a charismatic leader.

[@nhmooytis7058]

Could very well have been!

[@randomkeir]

It would explain why Jones’ compound had so many guns and access to all those mind altering drugs. Had Leo Ryan gotten in that plane back to the States to report what he’d seen in Guyana, imagine the level of scrutiny Jonestown would have received.

[@BloodDripss]

i still cant believe events like this even really happened. i feel so terribly for the poor children just confused and looking for a place in the world, yet were led to a psychopath.

[@andreshernandez1180]

Liberalism in 2023

[@milimdestroyer9058]

Simply the Bible is Facts for it is written many will people decieve and saying they are the messaiah.

[@m3tamorphosissystem250]

@@andreshernandez1180what?

[@andreshernandez1180]

@@m3tamorphosissystem250 Liberalism in 2023

[@m3tamorphosissystem250]

@@andreshernandez1180 ok… tell me a story of anyone from this year on any side of the political spectrum doing something like what Jim did,

[@karenrapoport7852]

So I’ve been trying to watch everything you have ever done and I just finished the video about the most mysterious disappearance, the one about the 5 kids who either died in a fire (no way) or were kidnapped (yup). And at the end you mentioned you had a podcast! That you apparently ditched like a year and a half ago 😢💔

[@elliecat6355]

It's so not right to laugh but.... Ross Kemp popping up with a little sign nearly finished me😂😂😂quality storytelling as always with just the right amount of comic relief to a truly horrific event, well done Thoughty👏👏👏

[@MrNuts70]

As someone that has never followed ANYONE in this kinda way or any group. I just don't understand that kinda mind set. Is it the fear of being alone and unloved that causes people to join this kinda groups?

[@Hex-Mas]

Plz do the Q cult next.

[@halloweenaddict4034]

I'm throwing a party when they drink the kool aid. Whole block party to celebrate. Might spend days celebrating that one.

[@tjlambaes]

So fascinating.

[@sharkchaos5160]

Great video.

[@MaxwellGriffin001]

THANK YOU!!! Best channel on the internet.

[@gavfitzpatrick]

If you listen to the tape of when it was happening, most of the congregation were happy and willingly drank the Kool-Aid

[@ApexHerbivore]

Bro, Hitler was Austrian

[@erikt3162]

And Stalin was Georgian

[@adamgillespie8508]

So he pushed socialism and social justice and wound up being a psycho mass murderer? Weird. Actually it’s not weird. More like predictable.

[@halloweenaddict4034]

As predictable as the countless right wing movements, figures, and governments whove committed countless unspeakable atrocities 😌

[@soundscape26]

I think religion played a much bigger part than his political preferences. And him being mentally ill of course.

[@bilkywaygalaxy]

@@soundscape26The politics were just snake oil. It was just a way to get socialists and marginalized groups to follow him. It’s easy to make those who are treated terribly join his cult when he claims to be for world peace. What he did was disgusting and it is not because he was socialist

[@Hunter_Schwarzott]

You should do a video on the Branch Dividians and the drive of Waco.

[@rileygranderson6125]

I’m obsessed with real crime.🖤this is one of my favorite stories. Insane!!!

[@cuthbertallgood7781]

It's extremely telling that he started with Fascism and moved to Communism. They're not nearly as different as people think and there's a reason the WW2 generation fought against both, in favor of individual freedom and liberty. The great evil is Authoritarianism and both philosophies require very strong political parties to control the population. There are differences, but aren't remotely "opposites" like too many people think.

[@mike7652]

Facts. I look at Hitler and Stalin and both are tyrannical dictators responsible for the deaths of millions. Not sure why one system is frowned upon by everyone, but the other is openly embraced by halfwits though.

[@poopingwhilestanding5801]

Responsibility without authority is slavery.... Authority without responsibility is tyranny. Tell me what best describes our political leaders today?

[@nlogaxx7642]

Time and time again. When someone starts selling you on the wonders of socialism? Run. "Nah, those people before me had it all wrong! I figured it out." No you didn't. It always ends up in death and suffering. But I guarantee someone will respond to me with, "That wasn't true Socialism!" Every effing time. And here we are, learning the lesson over and over again. Like Sysiphus.

[@galaxyanimal]

Now replace "Socialism" with "Government" & you'll be right on the money.

[@soundscape26]

You could argue that religion messed up his mind way more than socialism, or his idea of it.

[@m3tamorphosissystem250]

@@galaxyanimalhey, if governments didn’t exist. You’d probably be dead.

[@andreshernandez1180]

😂 loved the Life Of Brian reference 👍🏻

[@mlnima]

lol your AD cost's more than the a good quality whisky 🤣🤣

[@BentleyBohemian_96]

Rise and fall. Man accomplished exactly what he wanted to

[@johnathanmann1120]

You missed Trump in the rogue’s gallery of cult leaders

[@silkuk8417]

You had me at the Life of Brian reference in the intro 😅👌🏻

[@tuntematon2589]

skynd's music about this situation is well made.