News & Analysis
As Predicted, Attacks on Thrive, the Movie Have Begun
Author John Robbins, Other Progressives Denounce 'Thrive' ... The Santa Cruz-based author is joined by Deepak Chopra and others in a statement distancing themselves from the film ... Robbins says filmmaker Foster Gamble, a friend of his, is "naive" about the political consequences of his new film 'Thrive.' Last fall, the acclaimed environmentalist and nutrition guru John Robbins was invited to the home of his friends Foster and Kimberly Carter Gamble, near Santa Cruz, to view the Gambles' just-completed film, Thrive. Robbins, who makes a brief appearance in the film, says he was "overwhelmed" by what he saw. "There were parts I liked, but there were other parts that I just detested," he recalls. "I didn't want to be rude—we were there with our families—so I just didn't say anything." – SantaCruz.com
Dominant Social Theme: "Thrive" is a movie by, of and for kooks.
Free-Market Analysis: As we suspected, the counterattacks have begun. We questioned "Thrive" and its composition from the beginning, but liked it more once we saw it. We interviewed the movie's maker, who certainly seems sincere about it, and at the time we suggested we shouldn't have jumped to certain conclusions.
But despite our more favorable impression, we remained skeptical about certain aspects of the film. While the film has reached over a million viewers and has had a considerable impact, we were always somewhat doubtful of the larger composition. We wrote this after we interviewed him:
In previous comments, we were negative about Thrive, pointing to its supposed "New Age" and "aliens-among-us" approach. In this review we were certainly more positive. But as part of our larger effort to be even-handed, we should probably point out that the movie has been alleged to contain Illuminati symbolism in certain graphics and certain supposed factual errors. As we mentioned above (and suspected) the movie is being accused of subtly fostering a one-world agenda ...
And now the attacks on the movie, predictably, are growing. The attacks are aimed at the parts of the film we were most doubtful about – the "New Age-y" stuff and the "aliens among us" meme.
What this surely does is discredit the movie's larger message about the Way the World Works. That message, featuring an explanation of the power elite that apparently wants to control things globally, is an important one. But it is in danger of getting confused with other issues. Here's some more from the article:
Thrive, which was released online in November and had its theater debut at the Del Mar last month, is an uncanny hodgepodge of pseudo-science, Utopian fantasy and veiled right-wing conspiracy theory. Strangely, it also includes onscreen interviews with a number of bona fide progressives, environmentalists and spiritual leaders.
In addition to Robbins, author of the groundbreaking Diet for a New America in 1987, the film features conversations with Deepak Chopra, the superstar self-help author; Paul Hawken, the green entrepreneur and environmental economist; Elisabet Sahtouris, the evolutionary biologist and philosopher; Duane Elgin, the futurist and author of Voluntary Simplicity; Vandana Shiva, the physicist and advocate for sustainable agriculture; and former astronaut Edgar Mitchell.
In the months since the film's release, Robbins says, he has been in communication with all of these folks. He wasn't surprised to find that many of them agreed with his assessment of the film. While they might have hoped the film would just disappear, Thrive has become something of a Web cult phenomenon—by some estimates it's been seen by more than 1 million people. And now they have decided to speak out.
In a just-released statement, Robbins, Chopra, Hawken, Sahtouris, Elgin, Shiva and Mitchell write that they have "grave disagreements" with some parts of the film. "We are dismayed that our participation is being used to give credibility to ideas and agendas that we see as dangerously misguided. We stand by what each of us said when we were interviewed. But we have grave disagreements with some of the film's content and feel the need to make this public statement to avoid the appearance that our presence in the film constitutes any kind of endorsement."
Robbins's complaints are aimed at the film's "politics." But there are other blogs accusing the film of factual inaccuracies. And Gamble has admitted to some of them. He is being attacked for his contentions that crop circles are real and for statements he made regarding extraterrestrial involvement in human affairs.
From our perspective, most everything on Earth can probably be explained by human involvement. But the net result is that the larger points being made in the movie come under scrutiny, too.
We made these points initially. During our interview with Foster Gamble, we were pleasantly surprised by his openness and seeming determination to spread a message we agree with. But we thought this might well happen.
Gamble's inaccuracies are giving his opponents openings to attack him and discredit the movie's larger themes. So much of the alternative media conflates various unprovable or at least unproven theories (such as flying saucers) with free-market economics and investment strategies.
The net result, unfortunately, is to render even the factual elements of what we call free-market economics somewhat dubious to many 'Net viewers who might be more open-minded in another context.
Conclusion: We felt Gamble's approach, or parts of it, invited attacks, and they have. We're sure Foster didn't intend it, though the more conspiratorially minded among us might be speculating, no doubt, that he did.
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Posted by Hollywood_Tomfortas on 04/25/12 03:21 PM
A wry commenter on the Thrive-Debunked blog, calling himself DiscoPro_Joe, has come up with a wonderful idea for an epic/saga-themed THRIVE Video Game.
Click to view link
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DiscoPro_Joe says:
Speaking of video games, here's a little idea for Foster Gamble & Co: if he'd like to create a small new cash cow for Thrive, and if he'd like to appeal more to kids like Sam, then he ought to produce a 'Thrive' epic-saga video game!
In the first stage of the game, you could attempt to make crop circles from an alien spacecraft without being seen or detected by humans. (Every time you get caught in the act, you'd either die, or lose a lot of hit points.)
In the second stage, you (as a human living on Earth) could build a 'free energy machine' using the 'special information' of the crop circles. You must do this without being seen or detected by government agents. Every slip-up will result in your assassination, or in losing lots of hit points.
At the end of the second stage, when you complete the construction of your free energy machine, the government agents will soon discover it, and send a SWAT team to your laboratory. You can use the special powers of your new machine to shoot 'torus beams' at the evil invaders and win the battle!
Finally, in the third and final phase of the game, you will use your special 'torus powers' to fly all over the world fighting the New World Order! The NWO is planning on destroying most of the world's population, and no one believes you when you warn everyone, so you must take on their entire global military forces alone in a dogfight with your special powers.
After defeating the military, the final bosses reveal themselves to be reptilian aliens who will battle you in final fight scene. They have the same torus powers as you, so you must use your quick wit, speed, and skill to ultimately beat them and save the world!
Everyone on Earth then worships you like a king, and you proclaim, 'Now we can all 'thrive' together!'
The good-guy aliens who made the crop circles would then come down to Earth by the millions to join the humans, and everyone would live happily ever after….
Well, anyway, someone ought to send this video-game idea up the chain of command to ol' Foster, and see what he thinks. I bet kids like Sam would love it! And on crazy conspiracy-theory brainwashing, Foster could get 'em while they're young.
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Posted by Hollywood_Tomfortas on 04/20/12 07:32 PM
Muertos on the THRIVE-Debunked blog has just posted an article in response to the Foster & Kimberly letter above.
Click to view link
. . . The disappointing and fatuous statement by Mr. and Mrs. Gamble attempts both to minimize the controversy and to belittle the signers of the letter and critics of the film. Most notably, Mr. and Mrs. Gamble accuse John Robbins, the driving force behind the disassociation letter, of engaging in a 'disinformation campaign' to discredit the film. The statement also makes clear that acceptance of the conspiracy theories advanced by Thrive as literal fact is a prerequisite for being taken seriously in the discussion of 'solutions' that the makers of the film say they wish to engage in. . . .
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Posted by LeeW on 04/18/12 02:46 PM
As those who have seen THRIVE know, we are committed to a bold inquiry into what is really in the way of our thriving - and to offering much more than just a tweak to our fundamentally flawed and failing system.
One of our core approaches in making THRIVE was to hear from people with differing points of view and to go for vital information regardless of the political affiliations of the source. That way we could do our own informed and critical thinking and glean the principles and facts from which true, just and lasting solutions can be created.
We encourage a transparent, respectful, informed and constructive dialog that can address the specifics of any differences some of the pioneers in THRIVE might have with us. Although the letter of dissociation raised no specific issues, we understand from John Robbins' articles and the correspondence that he wrote soliciting others to participate in his disinformation campaign that the objections range from ET presence, to naming the reality of the Global Domination Agenda, to validating Zero Point Energy, to adhering to the Principle of Non-violation. Wow, not much of a movie left after eliminating those taboo inquiries!
We encourage everyone reading this to watch THRIVE and determine for yourselves if you agree that there is enough evidence to warrant additional dialog - about a covert agenda, about revolutionary new technologies and about bold strategies for achieving true liberty and justice for all.
We spent decades doing our homework on these issues and stand with complete integrity and clarity behind the facts represented in THRIVE. We welcome meaningful dialog and otherwise consider it dangerous to undermine the millions of us who are standing up to expose the covert global scheme amongst the elite and their secret societies and intelligence agencies to destroy the economies of countless nations, take over their resources, and kill whatever leaders or people don't play along.
Further hit and run communications are of little interest to us, especially as it distracts from time better spent with motivated solutions groups forming all over the world who are awakening to the agenda and taking actions based on integrity and freedom rather than staying confined by outworn and deceptive political polarities.
We encourage those who have publicly dissociated to offer their best information and solutions rather than spending time trying to undermine ours.
Each of the pioneers in THRIVE were invited because their expertise in a particular area had been helpful in our gaining an understanding of the bigger picture that includes, but vastly transcends, their sector of expertise -or anyone's political affiliation. We clearly state this in the movie:
'The people in THRIVE do not necessarily agree with the themes, statements, claims or conclusions presented in the film or website, nor does their inclusion imply our full agreement with all of their views. The people interviewed have each contributed in some deep way to our understanding and we are grateful to them all.'
We are encouraged by the millions of viewers, thousands of self-created screenings, the hundreds of THRIVE Solutions groups forming to get on with what's needed now - informed and leveraged action. People from all over the world- Greece, Poland, India, Portugal and more have voluntarily translated THRIVE into their languages to get the important information to their cultures. THRIVE is now translated into 18 different languages and we hear from people all over the world about the value THRIVE is offering in their cultural transformations.
We also are moved by the healings being reported in families, workplaces and communities as millions are getting the bridge between worldviews and beyond unnecessary and dangerous divide-and-conquer illusions. The new conversation, about what is really going on and solutions with human rights as primary, is, fortunately, unstoppable.
As stated in the book '1984', 'In times of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.' There is a well-informed, nonviolent revolution brewing and we welcome constructive contributions from everyone ready to participate.
Foster and Kimberly Gamble
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Posted by Hollywood_Tomfortas on 04/17/12 11:48 AM
Every Sunday, my itinerant private tutoring duties take me past the ABC-Disney Studios, the vast campus in downtown Burbank, and last Sunday, while driving past the wrought iron fences --- which all have the tops of their posts shaped into Mickey Mouse ears --- I experienced an amazing revelation: that what Foster Gamble has done with his movie THRIVE was to 'disneyfy' and thus brighten and make optimistic the normally dark and pessimistic world of deep conspiracy theories.
And then as I gazed over at all the wrought-iron Mickey Mouse ears passing by on the fence top, I was brought back in fond childhood memory to the wonderfully optimistic era when the first Mickey Mouse club appeared on television in 1955. The Mousketeers! Yes, there was Bobby and Darlene, and Cubby and Karen and of course Annette! [Sigh!]
Suddenly I found myself singing the Mickey Mouse Club 'Alma Mater' song, that always marked the end of a TV season for the Mousketeers. Please listen to the 1:25 rendition of the song here:
The Mickey Mouse Club Alma Mater Song
(as sung at the end of Season 3 in 1957.)
Click to view link
I found myself singing new words to the song. Instead of 'Mickey Mouse,' I was singing 'Foster Thrive.' Instead of seeing the chorus of sweet and smiling Mousketeers, I saw much older but still childish Thriveteers. Instead of them all wearing Mickey Mouse Ear hats, I saw Foster Gamble and his band of Thriveteers all wearing a wondrous torus hat. (Of course when designing such a hat, we must take care with the size of the opening, lest it appear too much like a Sufi turban, but we'll iron out the details later.)
And so 'ladies and gentlemen,' now regressed by Thrivish nostalgia to 'boys and girls,' I lovingly composed new lyrics to the alma mater song and now offer the lyrics here as a tribute to Foster Gamble and all his Thriveteers everywhere.
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New Lyrics for the Foster Thrive Club Alma Mater as written by Tomfortas of Hollywood. Please sing with a slow and moving tempo, that befitting a requiem, as this might be the end of the first season for the movie THRIVE)
[TECHNICAL NOTE: In singing the spelling of the individual letters, we need to cheat a little on the last name. While MOUSE has 5 letters, THRIVE has 6, but we'll spell it out as T-H-R-I-V, and since we pronounce the letter V anyway as 'vee,' then just give an extra beat of pronouncing the 'ee' and that will solve the syllable problem. Oh, and at the appropriate time, Foster and all the Thriveteers are to raise their torus hats high.]
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What on earth . . . . will it take . . .
For folks like you and me? . . .
F-O-S . . . . .T-E-R . . . . T-H-R-I-Ve
Foster Thrive . . . .[Chorus]: Foster Thrive!
Foster Thrive . . . .[Chorus]: Foster Thrive!
Forever let us hold our torus high, . . . high, high, high!
Through the years . . . we're sure to thrive . . .
Wherever we may be . . . .
F-O-S . . . . .T-E-R . . . . T-H-R-I-Ve
Foster Thrive . . . .[Chorus]: Foster Thrive!
Foster Thrive . . . .[Chorus]: Foster Thrive!
Forever let us hold our torus high, . . . high, high, high!
Now it's time . . . to say good-bye ….
To all conspiracies . . ..
F-O-S . . . . .T-E-R . . . .
T-H-R-I-Veeeee
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Posted by LeeW on 04/16/12 12:21 PM
Foster and Kimberly are currently on tour hosting THRIVE screenings and meeting with various solutions groups in cities around the US. They will respond to this as soon as they have time. Meanwhile, they never intentionally misled anyone in the movie, included this statement in the credits of the movie:
'The people in THRIVE do not necessarily agree with the themes, statements, claims or conclusions presented in the film or website, nor does their inclusion imply our full agreement with all of their views. The people interviewed have each contributed in some deep way to our understanding and we are grateful to them all.'
We do not know of any film- documentary or otherwise- that could get made giving final say to the people who are in it. As those disassociating acknowledge, they stand by what was quoted in THRIVE and gave full authorization for their presence in a film that was described at the time as "a bold look at what is in the way of our thriving and what we can do about it". A fuller response is coming. Thank you for your patience.
The THRIVE team
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Posted by Tevin on 04/16/12 11:09 AM
I wrote this statement to Paul Hawken and the Thrive Nine,
I can't tell you how disappointed we are with this decision. Finally someone tells the truth in a film about the human condition and our human potential to free humanity and stop the madness. You are supposed to lead the way, not give into ego and political correctness, or whatever reasons you all have for this dastardly deed. Your office told me that you Paul, have NOT seen the movie THRIVE. YOU ALL OWE A LOT OF EXPLANATIONS AND I FEAR NONE OF THEM WILL JUSTIFY THE TRAGEDY YOU HAVE IMPOSED UPON HUMANITY.
We will continue to tell the truth and find the solutions that will free humanity and save our planet... what will you do?
I know you and I no longer find any of you credible... shame...
My point is very clear and undeniably necessary for everyone to understand and stand in. No matter who you are, we must stop limiting our ability to unite as a global family. Get out of your own way and be supportive of every effort to free humanity. The problem with too many intellectuals is they can't feel for other's without stroking themselves on the back.
for each other, Tevin Chidester chi.tevin@Click to view link 1 970 403 2956
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Posted by Trade Mark on 04/15/12 03:34 PM
Ther world is not awakening its going deeper asleep - - - Thats what I do - I go to elites for answers to probs they created - For real, i depend on liars to tell me the truth, im pretty? are you for real? The only answer to the mess in the world is fix your own inner mess - This sounds like a solution that works because it does every time - Movies, clips, web site clicks, blogs and media isnt the answer to your problems, you are the only answer period -
So when you fix your own problems will u make a movie and sell it, charge to see it on the screen to fix your money problems or will you find solutions that eliminate money and the system you despise but yet look to for answers to probs they created? Your not awake from a you tube clip or knowledge about politics and secrets or societys secrets.
Awake means Buddha and Buddha means awake - your so far in massd roves awakening to a new dream brought to you by producers of more hype and ego - the only human problems there are is social problems - more social programs only adds to societys social problems - politics is society and politicians all lie - all my lie life they lied and now im waiting for them to suddenly tell the truth?
Gamble is not the answer and neiother is a movie or Alex Icke clicks on web sites spreading and posting just add to problems - the Great Work is the only answer to tour problems inside you close your eyes and look around - peace
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Posted by conniesue on 04/15/12 03:08 PM
I think the overwhelmingly high quality of both the intelligence and the production of Thrive can withstand even ignorant sabotage of those who now distance themselves from their participation.
From my now 31-years of experience in these areas, the movie depicts seamless truth and no inconsistencies. Critics are either pitifully ignorant or maliciously motivated -- and will not prevail.
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Posted by tjdetmers on 04/14/12 03:23 PM
Almost all of us make the error that reality is limited by our understanding of it. It only our understanding that is limited. A small slice of humble pie each day is good for the soul.
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Posted by krmaya on 04/14/12 02:25 PM
Ulltimately this is to be expected. This movie can tweak people from differnt walks of life and I have to say it was why it was so appealing to me. There appears to be nine people that disavow their appearance in the movie but many more who do not. This will all blow over and be forgotten but the movie will live on and people will keep watching it as the years go by. I'm sure many of us can look back and remember when ideas ruffled our feathers and later we came to embrace them. (for me personally it was free market and liberatarian ideals). The seed has been planted and I will be interested to see what grows from it.
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Posted by vengh on 04/14/12 01:53 PM
It would be most helpful if the interviewees who are disassociating themselves from this film would each and individually, point by point, express wherein lie their disagreements with the film rather than generally dismiss it en masse. The interpretations, speculations, and editorializing that this has spewed has not clarified matters.
Also, it would be most elucidating if Mr. Robbins himself could expand on his comment regarding the "political consequences" of the movie.
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Posted by Kriss Robin on 04/14/12 01:47 PM
p.s. The terms of CONTRACT should always be set in concrete, or paper, then there can be no complaint or mis-representation. One's Word or Oath.
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Posted by Kriss Robin on 04/14/12 01:04 PM
May I add Subliminal programming out of conscious range.
And there really is no problem with "aliens among us", the problem is that "people" have been manipulated into thinking that Aliens can have any significant impact in the dimension that mankind is resonating in.
The wonderful thing about the film is its IDEALISTIC approach that when looked at is not so idealistic but appealing in a pretty normal way.
Any inaccuracies may only seem so when there may be a lack of Understanding, this may seem to correct itself in time. This is not in defence of the film, just a fact. Hey, once it was an accepted fact that the Earth was flat, lol.
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Posted by Hollywood_Tomfortas on 04/14/12 10:29 AM
Here is the full text of the letter composed by John Robbins and signed by the nine people in the film dissociating themselves from THRIVE:
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We are a group of people who were interviewed for and appear in the movie Thrive, and who hereby publicly disassociate ourselves from the film.
Thrive is a very different film from what we were led to expect when we agreed to be interviewed. We are dismayed that we were not given a chance to know its content until the time of its public release. We are equally dismayed that our participation is being used to give credibility to ideas and agendas that we see as dangerously misguided.
We stand by what each of us said when we were interviewed. But we have grave disagreements with some of the film's content and feel the need to make this public statement to avoid the appearance that our presence in the film constitutes any kind of endorsement.
[Signatories (in alphabetical order)]
Deepak Chopra
Duane Elgin
Amy Goodman
Paul Hawken
Edgar Mitchell
John Perkins
John Robbins
Elisabet Sahtouris
Vandana Shiva
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Posted by Hollywood_Tomfortas on 04/14/12 10:08 AM
I think you folks here at the Daily Bell will be interested in the article written a month ago in the Santa Cruz Weekly by the same author Eric Johnson.
Click to view link
[b]The Hidden Right-Wing Agenda at the Heart of 'Thrive'[/b]
[i]Locally produced cult film lionizes anti-tax crusaders and conspiracy theorists[/i]
Thrive, a highly polished two-hour documentary that was released on the Web in November and screens this Thursday, March 15, at the Del Mar, sells itself as an optimistic vision of a utopian future marked by 'free energy,' freedom from oppression and spiritual awakening. But on its way to depicting its dream-world utopia, Thrive delivers a dark and dishonest version of the real world and espouses a blend of paranoid conspiracy theories and right-libertarian propaganda. . . .
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Posted by Hollywood_Tomfortas on 04/14/12 10:03 AM
The blog dealing with factual inaccuracies in THRIVE is here:
Click to view link
The article about the notorious "Gang of Nine" dissociating themselves from the movie is here. There are 27 comments to date and it's all worth reading because Santa Cruz is home to both Foster Gamble and John Robbins.
Click to view link
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Posted by 10hawks on 04/14/12 01:24 AM
What?
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Posted by vengh on 04/13/12 07:52 PM
Took the time to watch the movie and all in all "Thrive" could prove very educational for most viewers (however, for your readers this would amount to singing to the choir). It's not difficult to imagine being a bit put off by the first portion of the film although i like to keep an open mind and am not convinced the earth is the center of the universe, so to speak. And, if memory serves, your website ran an article on the possibility of advanced technology in the Vedic culture, so who is to say? It appears that Mr. Gamble's intentions are sound and sincere and he is to be commended for his efforts.
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Posted by Abu Aardvark on 04/13/12 05:41 AM
Interesting links. Thanks.
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Posted by Wrusssr on 04/13/12 02:34 AM
Your ancient builders and engineers article pretty much nailed it,DB. IMO.
The alien DST is best sold to those with no knowledge of B.C. civilizations
or accomplishments or discoveries.
The alien thing was launched at Roswell, IMO. It flourished during the saucer-fifties and has come and gone and come back (lights in South America). Now the idea is being floated again here. Could be they're scrambling or prepping.
Barry Fell's book, "America B.C.: Ancient Settlers in the New World," places Celts, Romans, and Egyptians in America and the Americas. Click to view link
Gloria Farley's book, "In Plain Sight" adds much to Fell's conclusions. Click to view link
None of their information has been taught in public schools, I don't think.
George Gordon reads from Fell's book in an eight-part series. Part 7 is representative of the other segments for those interested. Click to view link
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