Former Sea Org member Dan Koon worked in the compilations unit of Scientology (RTRC) where Hubbard’s writings were turned into official Scientology books, lectures, and publications. Many of these products were sold to Scientologists and the public and thus represented a significant income stream for the Church. Accordingly, David Miscavige micromanaged compilations and Dan worked closely with Miscavige. After leaving the Sea Org, Dan Koon later helped Ron Miscavige Sr. to write his New York Times bestselling book — Ruthless: Scientology, My Son David Miscavige, and Me.

Dan Koon had a long and fascinating career in the Sea Org. Part 1 is an introduction to Dan Koon and an overview of Dan’s career. In Part 2 we will get into specifics and discuss Ron Miscavige Sr.’s book Ruthless.

It is hard to do Dan’s career justice in just one hour. For many years Dan worked in Scientology’s Technical Research and Compilations Unit. This is where “Scientology” is codified by research, editing, and studying Hubbard’s original writings. Decisions are made by David Miscavige as to what the “Tech” is and what LRH meant. The compilation of Super Power, GAT, and GAT II began in this unit based on orders from David Miscavige.

What Scientologists know and experience as “Scientology” is initially compiled in Scientology’s Technical Research and Compilations Unit. This little known part of Scientology has an enormous impact within the Church of Scientology. That is why I asked Dan the question, “What is Scientology?” To ask this question is to ask how Hubbard’s work got edited, revised, and compiled — and then revised again and again over the years. For example, the state of Clear has been a moving target. Likewise, the definition of a floating needle was changed in GAT I to a three-swing movement of the needle. This may seem obscure and technical, but the change in the definition of a floating needle caused a great many people to leave Scientology. They left in indignation and protest that David Miscavige had altered the Tech. The same happened with GAT II.

David Miscavige decided many years ago that there were SP Transcriptionists and all of LRH’s Basis books had to be reissued sans the malicious semicolons. Again, Scientology’s Technical Research and Compilations Unit was ordered to get involved in the entire process of editing and reissuing the 100% ecclesiastically pure (new and improved) Basics.

While Scientologists like to think that Scientology was hewn in stone, those who have left the Church know only too well that is has been revised at the whim and caprice of David Miscavige — and each time the Tech is changed it means Scientologists have to pay more money to redo their previous levels or training. This all means paying more and more money.

The new 2006 Basics reissue made the Church a fortune. So what is Scientology? Is it something that gets reissued when the Cult needs another one hundred million dollars?

Please keep in mind that this podcast was recorded before Marty Rathbun posted his review of Ruthless. There would have been an entirely different podcast for today if Rathbun had posted his comments at the time of recording. It’s one of those aggravating things where if the podcast had been recorded a day later it would have hit the news cycle perfectly.

Released on May 3, 2016 Ron Miscavige Sr.’s book had been out for almost four months. Thus, what I wanted to do was on Part 1 was to get a general overview of what Dan did in the Sea Org and then talk about his work on Ruthless and Blown For Good on Part 2. In Part 2, or Part II, I will definitely ask Dan Koon about Marty’s review of Ruthless.