The average rent in the US is about 1600/mo, and the median household income is 83k/yr. Obviously these averages/medians will change dramatically when looking at individual places, but if you live in a major coastal city that's infamous for being unaffordable you will absolutely need roommates to afford rent.
However there's also plenty of major cities which are not unaffordable so while you can have your eyes pop out of your sockets looking at LA, SF, NYC, etc. Toledo OH or Milwaukee WI are just quietly going on about their day being relatively affordable places to live with plenty healthy local economies
I've looked at those sorts of cities, and honestly, it has yet to wind up proving practical once I run the numbers. Yeah, I could move to Indianapolis and have a much nicer apartment for the same money or less, but between wages generally being substantially lower and needing to purchase at least two cars to be able to get around in most of these places, it's always wound up where I would be tossing the roughly the same percentage of my income away between those two factors.
Like, I would be perfectly fine with moving away to a city where I took a paycut, but could afford a comparable apartment with a lower rent and rely on public transit or bike infrastructure to get around safely and quickly, but I haven't found anywhere that ticks those two boxes yet.
It really seems like something that only makes sense if you're taking an internal transfer and will be keeping your higher salary after moving inland.
That's not entirely true. I pay less than $1k per month for my small one bedroom apartment and live within driving distance of a small city that has ok jobs. I'm not exactly thriving but i'm at least treading water.
I clicked the link and read the whole thing. I still am not sure if this is sincere or satire. It's so out there that I kind of hope it is real, and that they find what they are looking for.
There are so many little things in that link that sends up a little red flag, but this section.... Oof.
Family planning:
We would like to have 3-4 kids.
We are considering having Melissa breed with Norman or Zaid, and/or Mackenzie with Douglas, as we believe these would be the genetically-optimal combinations. This would likely take place in the next 1-2 years.
As you would be a newer addition to the polycule, we would need to get to know you for 2-4 years (depending on good behavior) before considering adding you to the gene pool.
Yes, the people trying to conduct their own eugenics experiments are likely racist. "Desirable traits" is very much subjective, especially when trying to breed out some characteristics. (Not to be confused with superficial desires when selecting a mate on your own accord. To say you "like men or women with brown hair" doesn't mean that you want to breed all other traits out of existence.)
Yeah 100%. As someone who is a "normal" poly person, the stuff listed in this is awful and terrible and shouldnt ever actually be considered polyamory.
I only join cults nowadays if they offer a remote-only option. Tried it out during the pandemic, got used to it, refuse to go back. It's so much less work.
"We are considering having Melissa breed with Norman or Zaid, and/or Mackenzie with Douglas, as we believe these would be the genetically-optimal combinations. This would likely take place in the next 1-2 years."
Wow, I think this just found the field of microeugenics
Jesus I was just thinking the opposite. I would be OK with poly if it meant saving on rent but 1500 is fucking ridiculous (and I'm thinking Canadian). Even coming from the most expensive rent in Canada, that's way too fucking much to also be dealing with weird "breeders".
I didn't see any videos as I couldn't get through the link, it's still early morning and I can't ruin my entire day.
That being said I did read your comment before opening the link and what you said about Zaid... well, what they say about Zaid: "... and the “least favorite” haha, just kidding! That’s one of our inside jokes, which you’ll get to know if you end up joining our polycule :)"
And their rules states "no playing favourites".
Reading on its just....
Edit now I saw the video and wtf. They can't even allow him the be the center of attention in the video they're making about him to show he's not being bullied in a cult, as they're just doing shadows figures all over that blinking-hostage "I'm definitely super alright" blink blink blink video.
Also that rent totals to almost 11 000 USD a month. I think "Norman" is maybe profiting a bit from this cult.
rules go against human nature, like not having favorite
leaving is defecting
inside joke hints of bullying
video shown of that person is also full of red flags
sex is not a choice, you are forced to sleep with everyone, partake in play time
you are forced to live there
you're not allowed to have physical contact outside the poly group
planning for children is called breeding
We don't have much more to go on than the paper in the original post, their website and the video, so it's not a very objective opinion I have, but what I see correlates flawlessly with known cults. Cults are an interest of mine, I've seen and read a lot about cults in many different forms.
I love how they don't rule out people who can't figure out a printed url. I certainly couldnt partner with someone who needs instructions on how to use a link.
111 Comments
TheAlbatross@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 177 pts · 119d
Wanted: Roommate, must fuck every other housemate
Edit: wow this is a cult lmao
favoredponcho@lemmy.zip · 37 pts · 119d
Anivia@feddit.org · 34 pts · 119d
How expensive is rent in the US if that listed rent is saving money????
favoredponcho@lemmy.zip · 20 pts · 119d
fun_times@lemmy.world · 15 pts · 119d
Jesus christ! That's around the median monthly income in my country. And I come from a rich country.
My rent is around a fifth of that. Please tell me the $3000-4000 range is at least for a family apartment.
Holytimes@sh.itjust.works · 24 pts · 119d
The majority of America its physically impossible to live by yourself with in an hours drive one way of any reasonable job.
You either have roommates, work two jobs, work remote and live so far out in bumfuck nowhere your basically a hermit.
Or you live in glorified squaller.
Trainguyrom@reddthat.com · 12 pts · 119d
The average rent in the US is about 1600/mo, and the median household income is 83k/yr. Obviously these averages/medians will change dramatically when looking at individual places, but if you live in a major coastal city that's infamous for being unaffordable you will absolutely need roommates to afford rent.
However there's also plenty of major cities which are not unaffordable so while you can have your eyes pop out of your sockets looking at LA, SF, NYC, etc. Toledo OH or Milwaukee WI are just quietly going on about their day being relatively affordable places to live with plenty healthy local economies
hraegsvelmir@ani.social · 2 pts · 118d
I've looked at those sorts of cities, and honestly, it has yet to wind up proving practical once I run the numbers. Yeah, I could move to Indianapolis and have a much nicer apartment for the same money or less, but between wages generally being substantially lower and needing to purchase at least two cars to be able to get around in most of these places, it's always wound up where I would be tossing the roughly the same percentage of my income away between those two factors.
Like, I would be perfectly fine with moving away to a city where I took a paycut, but could afford a comparable apartment with a lower rent and rely on public transit or bike infrastructure to get around safely and quickly, but I haven't found anywhere that ticks those two boxes yet.
It really seems like something that only makes sense if you're taking an internal transfer and will be keeping your higher salary after moving inland.
Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 118d
I did this for a few years and miss my hermit life.
SuperNovaStar@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 2 pts · 119d
That's not entirely true. I pay less than $1k per month for my small one bedroom apartment and live within driving distance of a small city that has ok jobs. I'm not exactly thriving but i'm at least treading water.
bridgeburner@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 118d
Do jobs at least usually pay 10 grand or more per month there?
favoredponcho@lemmy.zip · 3 pts · 118d
blockheadjt@sh.itjust.works · 3 pts · 119d
How many people does a group need to become a cult? I don't think 3 cuts it
SuperNovaStar@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 18 pts · 119d
A cult with only one member is just an unusual habit. But two? You've got a leader and a follower, I think that's enough.
monotremata@lemmy.ca · 4 pts · 118d
I would in fact think they must all start that way.
weariedfae@sh.itjust.works · 8 pts · 119d
There are single family cults. You can absolutely have a cult with 3 people. It's all about control.
sp3ctr4l@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 2 pts · 118d
Such as the Duggars.
And basically anyone in FLDS.
tazeycrazy@feddit.uk · 1 pts · 119d
It's a start
TigerAce@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 1 pts · 112d
Check "Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence" - a Hulu documentary series released in 2022.
Warning: heavy shit. Like, seriously. I can take a lot, but this was a hard pill to swallow.
EpeeGnome@feddit.online · 108 pts · 119d
I clicked the link and read the whole thing. I still am not sure if this is sincere or satire. It's so out there that I kind of hope it is real, and that they find what they are looking for.
TherapyGary@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 80 pts · 119d
My favorite part:
fireweed@lemmy.world · 84 pts · 119d
I was leaning real but intentionally humorous, but then they asked for the applicant's LinkedIn profile and now I have no idea
mika_mika@lemmy.world · 75 pts · 119d
Cevilia@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 20 pts · 119d
kieron115@startrek.website · 3 pts · 118d
I liked the bit about having been involved in 5 or more orgies counting as experience.
Not_mikey@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 34 pts · 119d
The breeding pool stuff makes me lean more towards satire
troybot@midwest.social · 24 pts · 119d
I don't believe you because the fine print at the bottom specifically says you can't click the link
thethunderwolf@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 8 pts · 119d
OP put the link in the post text
tauonite@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 119d
you can't click the link
Valmond@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 6 pts · 119d
Only if you cannot read
tauonite@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 119d
It says so
thethunderwolf@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 3 pts · 119d
the lemmy post text contains the link in clickable (and not shortened) form
Dojan@pawb.social · 11 pts · 119d
I’ve heard of bananas stories like this over on StrangeÆons channel, so it might very well be real.
boonhet@sopuli.xyz · 12 pts · 119d
You mean the Portland Polycule From Hell? That was determined to be fake unfortunately, someone was just having fun making up stories.
Dojan@pawb.social · 2 pts · 119d
Aww, that’s possible. Though I feel like there’s been plenty of similar stories.
youcantreadthis@quokk.au · 4 pts · 119d
Ive known people in at least three of these. Theres no way to know.
curbstickle@anarchist.nexus · 92 pts · 119d
There are so many little things in that link that sends up a little red flag, but this section.... Oof.
remotelove@lemmy.ca · 69 pts · 119d
Genetically-optimal? How in the fuck do they determine that? What happens if their spawn is not genetically-optimal? Recycling bin?
Geezus fuck people are dumb sometimes.
boonhet@sopuli.xyz · 22 pts · 119d
Hot and hot = optimal, I'd assume. I haven't checked the website to see if they have photos of the people or anything.
Valmond@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 15 pts · 119d
Ugh it smells very american, who ever talks like that any more? Didn't you pay attention during WW2? 😬
youcantreadthis@quokk.au · 12 pts · 119d
Nobody did and everyone who tried is long dead.
Soulg@ani.social · 2 pts · 118d
..... Americans don't talk like the either... What does that even mean
arin@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 119d
Racist
remotelove@lemmy.ca · 3 pts · 119d
Yes, the people trying to conduct their own eugenics experiments are likely racist. "Desirable traits" is very much subjective, especially when trying to breed out some characteristics. (Not to be confused with superficial desires when selecting a mate on your own accord. To say you "like men or women with brown hair" doesn't mean that you want to breed all other traits out of existence.)
pennomi@lemmy.world · 79 pts · 119d
Maven@piefed.zip · 71 pts · 119d
Yeah 100%. As someone who is a "normal" poly person, the stuff listed in this is awful and terrible and shouldnt ever actually be considered polyamory.
pennomi@lemmy.world · 23 pts · 119d
Maven@piefed.zip · 32 pts · 119d
Yooo!!! Lets start a cult in Seattle!
queerlilhayseed@piefed.blahaj.zone · 28 pts · 119d
I only join cults nowadays if they offer a remote-only option. Tried it out during the pandemic, got used to it, refuse to go back. It's so much less work.
forrgott@lemmy.zip · 4 pts · 119d
But how do you distribute the 'kool-aid'?
youcantreadthis@quokk.au · 4 pts · 119d
Packets in the mail.
SuperNovaStar@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 9 pts · 119d
Not even who you replied to but If you can help me relocate I am so down :P
Maven@piefed.zip · 9 pts · 119d
Unfortunately, I am not actually in Seattle. Thats just where the original ad is from.
I definitely need to start a polycule cult though where im at. I think I could do it well!
caseyweederman@lemmy.ca · 7 pts · 119d
That seems a little redundant
Walk_blesseD@piefed.blahaj.zone · 13 pts · 119d
What's so terrible about long walks on the beach in 3:4 formation??? /j
SkaveRat@discuss.tchncs.de · 3 pts · 119d
I'm more of a 4:3 guy
snoons@lemmy.ca · 8 pts · 119d
Poly as in plastic.
ShaggySnacks@lemmy.myserv.one · 9 pts · 119d
Life in plastic, its fantastic.
Tar_alcaran@sh.itjust.works · 10 pts · 119d
It's Norman, who will absolutely give up the presidency, but right now is bad timing.
mortemtyrannis@lemmy.ml · 5 pts · 119d
Just another 6 or 7 years and then another person can be at the top of the hierarchy. (This was said 6-7 years ago)
night_petal@piefed.social · 1 pts · 118d
Reminds me of the Final Fantasy house.
Maven@piefed.zip · 56 pts · 119d
I should note: this is NOT me.
recentSlinky@lemmy.ca · 102 pts · 119d
Found the defector
pruwybn@discuss.tchncs.de · 52 pts · 119d
Come on, "polyrule" was right there
Maven@piefed.zip · 19 pts · 118d
DAMMIT!
Avicenna@programming.dev · 31 pts · 119d
"We are considering having Melissa breed with Norman or Zaid, and/or Mackenzie with Douglas, as we believe these would be the genetically-optimal combinations. This would likely take place in the next 1-2 years."
Wow, I think this just found the field of microeugenics
BeMoreCareful@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 119d
The dark arts have practiced by meddling mothers for centuries!
Avicenna@programming.dev · 4 pts · 118d
%100 cult vibes. cosmic horror lets gooooo
Evil_Shrubbery@thelemmy.club · 31 pts · 119d
Yeah, I know when a polycule is looking for a short member they can lift up to get the cookie jar & high shelf stuff.
Hazel@piefed.blahaj.zone · 7 pts · 119d
5'5" is about the global average, it's not short.
Evil_Shrubbery@thelemmy.club · 27 pts · 119d
You are right, I was trying to reference this in a petty attempt at humour
Hazel@piefed.blahaj.zone · 4 pts · 119d
Ah I see, I wasn't familiar :)
horn_e4_beaver@discuss.tchncs.de · 3 pts · 119d
Maybe if you're including children.
edit: Apparently not: https://compareheight.net/average-human-height-worldwide/
Evil_Shrubbery@thelemmy.club · 1 pts · 119d
Oh, they are looking for a tall gf then.
Supervisor194@lemmy.world · 28 pts · 119d
I'd need more information before I could say I wanted to be in their polycule, much less their breeding pool.
Not_mikey@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 27 pts · 119d
I'm not poly, but $1,500 is pretty cheap rent for San Francisco...
Speculater@lemmy.world · 17 pts · 119d
Are you sexually compatible with all genders in their cule?
SavinDWhales@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 119d
FAFO now has a new meaning!
garbagebagel@lemmy.world · 11 pts · 119d
Jesus I was just thinking the opposite. I would be OK with poly if it meant saving on rent but 1500 is fucking ridiculous (and I'm thinking Canadian). Even coming from the most expensive rent in Canada, that's way too fucking much to also be dealing with weird "breeders".
youcantreadthis@quokk.au · 3 pts · 119d
I pay 16 for a closet. California is wild.
Hazel@piefed.blahaj.zone · 3 pts · 119d
Well if they're walking 3:4 there's 12 people in said polycule so total rent would be $18 840 which... doesn't seem particularly cheap.
E: Haha ok so if they meant 3+4 then '3:4' is the absolute worst way of writing that. And that's still $11 000 a month.
Echolynx@lemmy.zip · 5 pts · 119d
House is 4 bedrooms, group is 7 people. (Three pairs share a room at least.)
Liz@midwest.social · 3 pts · 119d
There's 7, including the applicant. They meant 3, then 4.
RobotFK@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 1 pts · 119d
They mean a line of 3 and another of 4 people wide formation. They wish to be exactly 7 people
mech@feddit.org · 26 pts · 119d
Never heard of QR codes? Are all members over 50 years old?
Maven@piefed.zip · 33 pts · 119d
Most of them are 20s or 30s but one of them is 65.
The worst part is that one of them is a software engineer!
riwo@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 1 pts · 119d
wait, you know the people in the polycule???
itslilith@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 12 pts · 119d
You cannot click the link. But the url is real
Dr_Fetus_Jackson@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 119d
...bruh
favoredponcho@lemmy.zip · 25 pts · 119d
Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world · 24 pts · 119d
I don’t understand this post. All I see are red flags.
JennaR8r@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 10 pts · 119d
That means you DO understand the post.
Agent641@lemmy.world · 23 pts · 119d
I'm happy with my monocule. Every couch feels like an XL couch when you're by yourself
Aralakh@lemmy.ca · 2 pts · 118d
✊
spacesatan@leminal.space · 19 pts · 119d
If this was Portland I'd be sure it's a joke, but SF? who could say
TigerAce@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 15 pts · 118d
The video of Zaid on the website. He blinks a lot while pausing before saying he's ok. That is a sign people in cults do when they are not ok.
Also, when a group make a video of a member in which they state they are ok to prove nothing is wrong, it's a sign something is wrong.
When they state a member leaving as "defected", it's a sign of a cult.
When they use the word "breeding" for adding children to their group is totally not a red flag lol.
espurr@sopuli.xyz · 2 pts · 118d
H...E....L....P.....M...E.....E...................H....E...L...P......M....E............
Dasus@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 117d
I didn't see any videos as I couldn't get through the link, it's still early morning and I can't ruin my entire day.
That being said I did read your comment before opening the link and what you said about Zaid... well, what they say about Zaid: "... and the “least favorite” haha, just kidding! That’s one of our inside jokes, which you’ll get to know if you end up joining our polycule :)"
And their rules states "no playing favourites".
Reading on its just....
Edit now I saw the video and wtf. They can't even allow him the be the center of attention in the video they're making about him to show he's not being bullied in a cult, as they're just doing shadows figures all over that blinking-hostage "I'm definitely super alright" blink blink blink video.
Also that rent totals to almost 11 000 USD a month. I think "Norman" is maybe profiting a bit from this cult.
TigerAce@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 2 pts · 117d
Things we know:
We don't have much more to go on than the paper in the original post, their website and the video, so it's not a very objective opinion I have, but what I see correlates flawlessly with known cults. Cults are an interest of mine, I've seen and read a lot about cults in many different forms.
MithranArkanere@lemmy.world · 14 pts · 118d
"You can't click on this link because it is on printed paper, you will need to type it into your browser".
That got me chuckling, because I have actually tried to do that multiple times, but only succeeded twice.
SolacefromSilence@fedia.io · 12 pts · 119d
I was convinced this was satire and then I clicked through the link. See for yourself and maybe apply :)
Micromot@piefed.social · 8 pts · 119d
The form still feels very satire-like
zarkanian@sh.itjust.works · 4 pts · 118d
They added a video lmao
Micromot@piefed.social · 4 pts · 118d
That feels like a very elaborate joke from a friendgroup to me now
garbagebagel@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 119d
Probably only if your waist is below a certain size 🤢 god that link made me unreasonably fucking mad
JennaR8r@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 6 pts · 119d
Wait, really? I might actually qualify ♥️ BRB, filling out an application to be in an elitist discriminatory sex cult 😄
Edit: nvm, I don't meet their tallness specifications 😥
Echolynx@lemmy.zip · 2 pts · 119d
Or above a minimum... who knows.
garbagebagel@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 118d
Very true. Either way, not a nice way to screen people imo
ShinkanTrain@lemmy.ml · 12 pts · 118d
They lost me when they asked for a LinkedIn account
GreenBeanMachine@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 118d
TigerAce@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 2 pts · 112d
It's a cult.
SlippiHUD@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 118d
I love how they don't rule out people who can't figure out a printed url. I certainly couldnt partner with someone who needs instructions on how to use a link.
Why wouldnt you just use a qr code?
CrackedLinuxISO@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 7 pts · 118d
If serious: The breeding thing and this being SF suggests some strange subgroup from lesswrong/rationalism/TESCREAL or whatever they go by now.
yetAnotherUser@lemmy.ca · 5 pts · 118d
I still can't understand if this is a joke or not. Some parts feel like a joke.
Not_mikey@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 4 pts · 119d
It's San Francisco, one of them was bound to be
Mulligrubs@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 118d
One person's heaven is another's hell.
This sounds like an unrelenting horror to me. Imagine all of the talking.... yap yap yap every second 'it's hot' 'i'm hungry' GET OUT GET OUT
GenosseFlosse@feddit.org · 4 pts · 119d
Is that a thing now? In my flat share I had to find my own girlfriends outside of my flat.
tgirlschierke@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 2 pts · 114d
oh yeah someone here's getting murdered for sure
figjam@midwest.social · 2 pts · 119d
Cultlike behavior
TigerAce@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 1 pts · 111d
Fucking Greg