After the weekend explosion outside Palm Springs, California, Reddit banned a community dedicated to nothingness, anti-life philosophy, and fertility clinics are linked to suspects holding anti-Natalist beliefs, the FBI said.
A Reddit spokesman confirmed to NBC News on Monday that R/Efilism Subreddit has been banned after the explosion, killing the suspect and injuring four other people. Other anti-Natalist sublists remain on the platform.
Reddit said the community was banned because the platform’s rules prohibited promoting self-harm.
A spokesperson said in a statement that it is working to remove posts containing audio clips and images of works published before the explosion. The content is widely distributed on various social media platforms including Reddit.
"Violence has no status on Reddit," the spokesperson said. "Our scope rules strictly prohibit any content that encourages, beautifies, incites or demands violence. In line with these rules, we are deleting any instances of the suspect's declaration or recording and hash to prevent re-uploading. We also closely monitor the community on our platform on our platform to ensure our rules are compliant."
Effectivism (names spelled backwards from “life”) is part of anti-Natalist philosophy, which is centered on the belief that people should stop reproduction because of the moral implications of humans’ continued life.
Some in the community believe that more positive steps should be taken to end human life on Earth and archive discussions at the now-banned Subreddit show the best way for users to discuss society.
According to the Archives, Fringe Philosophy found an audience online, especially on Reddit, where the Efilism community has more than 10,000 subscribers.
Guy Edward Bartkus, the suspect in the explosion, held an "anti-familiar" view, according to two senior law enforcement officials in the investigation.
In websites published before the explosion and related recordings (websites that authorities are still trying to verify), one can be heard describing themselves as “competitors” who think that humanity should end up and that it is immoral to bring more humanity into the world.
The website directly cites effects, as well as some Reddit communities dedicated to anti-motherland or related philosophy.
Two or those in these sublists release statements that are far from the suspect and their philosophy.
"Their terrorist acts are unreasonable, incoherent, immoral and disgusting. The philosophy we represent is one of the explicit nonviolent. We believe that everyone can make their own reproductive decisions."
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 or go 988lifeline.orgreach the lifeline of suicide and crisis. You can also 800-273-8255or visit showeofsuicide.com/resources.