Surviving the Survivors
Method, improv, surviving and doing the work
Still thinking about doing a mini-podcast, but until then, here’s one from the archives
The backstory: In 1999-2001, I was regularly contacted by people who claimed to have known members of the Ong’s Hat ashram. This inspired me to put together an improv session with two friends who were improv/method acting practitioners. I wrote up an outline, phoned them up, and started the “interview.” We did this in one take and only had one actor make a blunder, with the “meditation egg” remark. However, we leaned in and recovered, and inadvertently started a new branch of the story, resulting in a whole new chapter, complete with a photoshoot afterward. But that’s another story, for another time. Suffice it to say, Del Close would have been proud of how we adhered to his ethos of “no mistakes” in improv.
You may notice the hard Jersey accent used by one of the “survivors.” He modeled his accent on Tony Clifton. Very appropriate for the project.
Joseph Matheny speaks to "Rupert" and "Abel" about their alleged upbringing at the Ong's Hat Ashram and their alleged witnessing of the Delta Force raid. Includes audio files as well as a PDF of the transcript.
LINK: https://archive.org/details/survivors-pt3
This Dog Barking: The Strange Story of U.G. Krishnamurti
by Nicolas C. Grey and James Farley
I ran across Nicolas c Grey on Bluesky. He followed me, or I followed him; I really don’t recall who followed who, but I checked out his website and loved what I saw. I recently read This Dog Barking and loved it. I am looking forward to his forthcoming graphic novel, DEATH OF A PORNOGRAPHER. Check out his work.
A journey to the end of thought. An empty box within an empty box. There is no truth. The robot is dreaming. This Dog Barking chronicles the story of U.G. Krishnamurti, the Cosmic Naxalite, from his troubled childhood to his disillusionment with many of the leading spiritual teachers of the twentieth century and his catastrophic personal life. In 1967, UG underwent a series of biological mutations that left him in the natural state functioning without the interference of thought. With no fixed address, no followers and no organization, UG spent the next thirty years traveling the world with an uncompromising message: that mind is a myth and the human condition should be demystified and de-psychologized and viewed in purely physiological terms. Candid and clear-eyed, this is a profoundly thought-provoking biography of one of the most radical philosophers of our age.
LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34674694-this-dog-barking
Robert Anton Wilson (and Joseph Matheny) on Tubi
Friends over at RAWIllumination.net pointed out the inclusion of The “I” in the Triangle video on Tubi. Tom, the site admin, wrote to me for a comment, so I sloppily dashed off a reply. If I had known it would be reposted, I might have grammar and spell-checked it, but oh well.
All kidding aside, this nudge from Tom made me realize I’d never officially acknowledged this video’s inclusion on Tubi, so consider this post a correction of that oversight.
The original post from RAWIllumination.net with some spicy photos. Also, check out their site while you’re there!
Most of my American readers should be familiar with Tubi, the website/app/TV channel which offers movies and TV shows. The programs are free and supported by commercials.
Via Reddit’s r/Robert Anton Wilson site, I recently learned that Robert Anton Wilson: The “I” in the Triangle, a documentary nearly two hours long, is available now on Tubi.
The credits list Joseph Matheny as the director and one of the “stars,” along with RAW, so I asked Joseph for more information, and he responded with helpful notes, as it his wont:
“That’s the I in the Triangle talk I sponsored and had taped in my friend’s occult bookshop in 90. A younger me makes an appearance, doing a whimsical introduction. It is also available for sale on DVD, etc., on my friends’ Original Falcon’s website, and free to download from places like Archive.org and YouTube.
“It was a lot of fun, and Bob and I hung out for a few days, and he taught me how to make a martini, using a method and formula he picked up from reading about W.C. Fields. I use that recipe and method to this day. This was before Bo moved to Santa Cruz. He was still living in LA. Of course, he and Arlen would move to Santa Cruz to be close to his kids.
LINK: http://www.rawillumination.net/2026/01/robert-anton-wilson-and-joseph-matheny.html
Ong’s Hat: The Ghost Town That Became an Internet Legend
FROM
Why Locals Flock To Pine Barrens Towns In New Jersey To Explore Folklore And Legends
Article By: Esme Whitman | January 13, 2026
Ong’s Hat is one of the most enigmatic locations in the Pine Barrens, and its legend has spread far beyond New Jersey thanks to the internet.
Located at the intersection of Magnolia Road (Route 70) and Turkey Buzzard Bridge Road in Pemberton Township, this ghost town is nearly invisible today, with almost nothing left but a clearing in the woods.
In the 1980s, an elaborate urban legend emerged claiming that renegade scientists had created an interdimensional portal here, allowing travelers to slip between realities.
The story spread like wildfire online, becoming one of the earliest and most enduring internet conspiracy theories.
Whether you believe in portals or not, visiting Ong’s Hat is a surreal experience.
The emptiness of the site adds to its mystique, and the surrounding forest feels dense and watchful.
Hikers and curiosity seekers come here to stand in the clearing, take photos, and imagine what might have been.
There are no markers, no signs, and no commercial development, which only deepens the sense of mystery.
Some visitors report strange sensations or unexplained sounds, while others simply enjoy the quiet solitude of a place that feels forgotten by time.
The legend of Ong’s Hat is a fascinating blend of folklore, science fiction, and internet culture, making it a must-visit for anyone interested in modern mythology.
Bring a GPS or a good map, because the intersection is easy to miss, and cell service can be spotty.
Wear sturdy boots and be prepared for uneven terrain.
Ong’s Hat won’t offer you answers, but it will give you plenty of questions, and sometimes that’s exactly what makes a legend worth chasing.
In a world where everything is documented and explained, Ong’s Hat remains beautifully, stubbornly mysterious.
Fight Club
It often occurs to me, when accosted by Internet randos, who want to blame me for things like Q-Anon, that I am but one in a long line of misunderstood (or misrepresented) artists.
Chuck Palahniuk was misunderstood, misrepresented, and maligned for Fight Club.
And then I think of Orson Welles, trying to explain how he was trying to work with a new medium, known as radio. There was no history, no data to indicate how people would react. I feel that since when I started working with the nascent Internet in the late 80s through the 90s, there was no precedent.
And then I remember that the people posting ill-informed opinions are almost always those who have never tried anything new in their lives. And then I feel better.
Try new things. Course correct in accordance with new data. Keep trying new things. Learn to fail better.
Great stuff, Joseph. Hope your new year is off to a great start.