We Found It On The Internet: Sonic Fights MLM’s
By Syran Warner
There’s an unorganized network of independent cult fighters on the internet that’s grown exponentially in recent years, and many of the anti-cult accounts on our radar use anonymous avatars to get their messages across. The reason people generally don’t use their own name and likeness in this realm is easy to understand. Individuals out to expose cults tend to have some skin the game from negative personal experience and would rather not expose themselves to groups famous for retaliating against outspoken defectors.
You could call these anonymous critics “dissatisfied customers,” though that would something of an understatement.
At The Body International, we follow all kinds of accounts like these. Some are meme pages; others focus on art or poetry to get their stories out there. It’s a diverse landscape. There are probably more ex-Jehovah’s Witnesses and ex-Mormon’s speaking out than online apostates from other groups commonly ascribed with the “cult” label due to their numbers, but it seems just about every active group with some notoriety is represented by an outspoken defector.
Anti-JW Meme by Watching The Tower
The latest beat in the anti-cult movement are those speaking out about Multi-Level Marketing. As MLM’s have been tossed in the cult bucket by experts like Steven Hassan and Alexandra Stein, it’s become less controversial for their “dissatisfied customers” to associate these high-control sales organizations with more traditional unsavory entities like destructive religious groups. It sounds like a stretch at first glance, but this isn’t at all unreasonable. Accusations of cult behaviors including organized con-artistry, love bombing, and fantastical, impossible promises certainly indicate the fed-up avatars online aren’t barking up the wrong tree.
Like the anti-cult pioneers of the web before them, Anti-MLM accounts all come with their own quirks and different ways of presenting their content. All of these ventures are important and worth following for truth about scams, but after seeing many, the spotlight falls in an obvious direction.
There’s one account that’s so unique we think it’s not only the most eye-catching domain in the Anti-MLM crusade, but perhaps qualifies as the most novel cult fighter of them all: Sonic Fight’s MLM’s.
Screenshot from Instagram
As indicated by the name of the account- Sonic Fights MLM’s is an avatar that combines battling against Multi-Level Marketing with the likeness of popular Sega Genesis rodent Sonic the Hedgehog.
What a world.
To be clear, this isn’t a parody. There doesn’t appear to be any level irony in the mashup, either. The hyperactive, frequently updated account is completely earnest. What’s more, despite the off-the-fucking-wall presence of Sonic in everything the account posts, the actual content is among the most provocative and insightful in its class. Believe it or not, Sonic Fights MLM’s is something of an authority on their subject and takes the gambit further than most other accounts would dream. The novelty is so spectacular that getting in the door should be easy for anyone who loves internet oddities, but if that wears off, the sting of this justice warrior’s wisdom will still charm followers.
Someone has to say it: This account is the Malcom X of internet cult crusaders headlined by a character from a video game. We will not back down from this assessment.
For many reasons, the account has been an obsession here at TBI since it was discovered. Thank heavens for this next sentence- The creator of Sonic Fights MLM’s agreed to do an interview and now the world can know the genius behind this incredible slice of internet mana.
Read on for our conversation with the Ted Patrick of meme lords.
Why did you decide to create this space for fighting MLM’s on the internet? Does it come from a personal experience?
Yes, I was in the MLM Nu Skin for only four months. It was stressful for me. I was always working, I was constantly feeling tired and pressured and sometimes, I cried before sleeping because no matter how hard I worked, I wasn’t making any progress and I didn’t want anybody to see me as a failure. I never made any money, but I did achieve the first rank… which I quickly lost in the next month because I couldn’t manage to maintain it.
In the end, I got fired because my mentor wanted me to put huge amounts of money in so I could get some Sales Volume, but I refused because I knew that if I did that, everything would go back to zero and all my progress and money would’ve been gone. She tried to persuade me, but I didn’t change my mind. Eventually, she got upset, called me inconsistent and let me go. After that, I came across Deanna Mims video where she analyzed Nu Skin and that’s when I found out I was in a pyramid scheme. That’s when I became Anti-MLM. I wanted to spread awareness, so nobody ends up going through what I went through.
There are other accounts on Instagram pushing back against MLM’s but yours sticks out for one obvious reason. Why did you decide Sonic would be the right vehicle to utilize for your activism?
I have been a huge Sonic fan since I was young, and I love video games too. The way I see Sonic is that he is a hero who will always fight for justice, peace and for what is right. He is ready to take on any bad guy. And I feel like he relates to us Anti-MLMers. We are in a constant battle to protect people from falling into these scams, and we are ready to take the MLM’s head on. Also, Sonic is just my comfort character.
This is a website about cults, and we feel like MLM’s deserve some space on our front page. You’ve characterized MLM’s as cultlike on your account before. Can you explain why these groups deserve this designation?
I think MLM’s are cults because they have a lot of cult characteristics. For example, one cult characteristic is that new members are love-bombed heavily to create a sense of belonging. MLMs do that too. MLM Distributors are constantly getting love-bombed, and it happens more when there is a new member to the downline. And the reason why they love-bomb is to also create a sense of belonging as well, to build up fake confidence so people don’t end up leaving, even if they are struggling.
[Click Here to Read a Blog by Sonic Fight’s MLM’s for Further Exploration of the Cult Topic]
The lead image in one of Sonic Fights MLM’s “Sagas” which expose pro-MLMers, their organizations, and what they do to promote themselves.
In addition to creating your own material, you post content from “boss babes” in your stories who are usually boasting in some way about their success. Why do you think it’s important to expose these accounts?
I think it’s important because 99% of what they are saying is all fake, or really, really difficult to achieve. These Boss babes are promoting their business as if it’s a good company they are a part of. They’re making something bad look good. That’s why we call them out and expose their lies. We want people to see the truth about these MLM companies.
Do you ever interact directly with the pro-MLM crowd? If so, what kind of a response do you get?
To be honest, not really. I didn’t go after anyone, and nobody came after me…yet. Rarely, I do leave a comment stating what they are doing is wrong, and most of the time they sound offended or try to defend their MLM. I guess the only way I do interact with them is that I do sometimes make posts exposing these “Boss Babes.”
A Sonic Fights MLM’s post calling out a “Boss Babe.”
Is there any overlap between your mission and that of Sonic’s? Is there a bridge between these concepts?
Well, there is no concept of MLM’s in the Sonic Universe, but, like I said, Sonic will fight for what’s right and will take down any bad guy and that is my mission. I want to expose these MLM’s and educate people not to fall for them.
What’s it been like finding a community of likeminded individuals online and receiving their support?
It honestly feels so amazing! I never imagined something like this. Everyone in the Anti-MLM community is so supportive and educated and you don’t even have to know anybody. You are just immediately welcomed. It’s so amazing to have such a community where we are always ready to protect others and defend each other. We are such an unstoppable bunch. I love the support I receive. It’s wonderful.
Outside of your own account, what are some of the best resources for someone curious about the destructive practices you find in MLM’s? This could be other accounts, documentaries, websites- any source of Anti-MLM material.
I think YouTube videos are a good place for people to be educated on the subject. There are a few Anti-MLM YouTubers out there, like Chelsea Suarez, Deanna Mims, I Don’t Want No Huns, Lara Bee, Isabella Lanter, and many, many others. People can even look at the #antimlm hashtag. You get to see all the creators there and they can choose who to follow.
Cult Leaders are sort of famous for desiring to be worshipped by their followers. Does this trait exist in MLM leaders?
Yes! I do believe that. In cults, everyone worships the leader because the boss is seen as someone all knowing. And that’s very similar to how downlines see their uplines. They listen to their upline and are demanded to follow everything that they tell them to do. Downlines cannot run their ‘business’ their own way. They get no freedom.
Where do you find all your Sonic content to make memes out of? Is there a community online making Sonic art?
There is a Sonic community and it’s huge. There are a lot of other Sonic artists out there like me. But 99% of my images are all official pictures. I just Google them, LOL!
Sonic Fight’s MLM’s had its first post in October, and you’ve been very consistent with your content since. How long are you willing to keep this up? I thought I was only going to do this cult fighting magazine thing for a year and now that the anniversary has passed, I sort of can’t imagine not doing it. Will there be a point when you’ll be satisfied with your creation and will move onto something else?
Well, I am satisfied with what I have already created, but I don’t plan on stopping any time soon. I really want to grow my account and expand on my Anti-MLM content. I honestly love what I do, so, I ain’t stopping. I don’t see myself giving up on this.
Sonic Fights MLM’s on the war path.
Is there such thing as an MLM that isn’t toxic or is the system fundamentally destructive?
I don’t think so. Every MLM I’ve researched is toxic and the system is a mess.
What do your family and friends think about your account if they’ve seen it? Are you open about your MLM story in the real world?
I recently told my family and friends about my passion for this subject. They absolutely love and support what I’m doing. They think it’s very informative and educational. Now I’m more comfortable about expressing it.
Do you think you have more freedom using Sonic as an avatar than you would posting from an account with your own likeness and name?
I do. I feel like it protects my privacy in a way, because some of these “boss babes” can get really mean. I don’t want them to come for me personally. [Sonic] protects my privacy. I am actually thinking about showing myself and what I look like a bit more, but that would be rare. Maybe if I’m 100% comfortable in the future, I’ll go with my own name.
Do you have a favorite post you’ve made or anti-MLM crusade you’ve been a part of?
I have some favorite posts. I loved the one where I explained why MLM’s are cults. I love the posts I made where I debunk MLM distributors, and I absolutely love the sagas I’ve created. These are basically where I make several posts calling out a pro MLMer for their toxic behavior and problematic content. It’s been interesting.
Sonic tells it like it is.
Do you think the government should step in and regulate this industry somehow?
Yes, I think they should. They should make MLM’s officially illegal. Or maybe they can change and fix the system to make it more ethical.
Finally- What message do you have for people who are curious about joining an MLM to make some money?
My message would be do not listen to what they tell you. 99% of what they say is false. If you can find out what company they work for, then do research on it. 99.6% of people lose money or don’t make anything in MLM’s. Do not get involved in one. Not only that, but these groups are also emotionally manipulative and there’s some brainwashing going on. Do not do it as a job. Do not do it as a side hustle. Just say no to MLM’s.
