But this particular story isn't about the Net. It's about 39 people who managed to convince themselves that to be truly happy, they had to die. It's not the sort of conclusion that's easily reached after reading a web site or chatting with some nut job on an IRC channel. No, this particular world view requires a generous helping of good old-fashioned brainwashing, and that's the sort of thing folks tend to do in person. Truth is, the Net doesn't mean any more to cult members than anyone else.
Some people venture online to find a friend with similar interests.
Others want a place to express their views, particularly if those views aren't exactly welcome in the mainstream media. And some people see the Net as a way to make money. All three motivations seem to be true of the Heaven's Gate clan, many of whom made a living designing web pages for San Diego-area businesses. They also posted their theories on a web page and trolled newsgroups and chat rooms for prospective members - people with whom they might have something in common. On a videotape recorded before the suicides, one cult member explained her feelings about her fate.