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Frank Visser, graduated as a psychologist of culture and religion, founded IntegralWorld in 1997. He worked as production manager for various publishing houses and as service manager for various internet companies and lives in Amsterdam. Books: Ken Wilber: Thought as Passion (SUNY, 2003), and The Corona Conspiracy: Combatting Disinformation about the Coronavirus (Kindle, 2020).

Comic Story Script: The $200 Million Mystery

The Rise and Fall of Joe Firmage

Frank Visser / ChatGPT / DALL-E

Page 1: Introduction

Panel 1: A sleek, modern office with a charismatic man in a tailored suit standing before a holographic projection of a futuristic spacecraft. Caption: "Joe Firmage, a tech prodigy turned visionary, once captivated Silicon Valley with bold claims of revolutionizing propulsion technology." Joe (smiling confidently): "This will change the world—and bring untold wealth to those who believe in it!"	Panel 2: Close-up of investors—diverse and eager faces—handing over briefcases of cash or signing contracts. Caption: "Investors flocked to his dream, lured by promises of cutting-edge breakthroughs… and whispers of secret government contracts."

Page 2: The Integral Connection

Panel 1: A serene meditation retreat with individuals in deep contemplation, including a group of prominent figures discussing Joe's project. Caption: “Among them were members of Ken Wilber's 'Integral' philosophy circle, drawn by visions of a higher purpose and groundbreaking innovation.”	Investor 1: “Joe's work aligns with Integral ideals—a true leap forward!” Investor 2: “And the profits won't hurt, either!” Panel 2: A shadowy figure hands Joe a large check while in the background, a hologram of a UFO flickers. Caption: “But as enthusiasm grew, so did the cracks in Joe's story…”

Page 3: The Fall

Panel 1: A courtroom scene, Joe Firmage sitting at a defendant's table, looking disheveled and defensive. Caption: “Years later, the dream came crashing down. Accusations of fraud exposed the project as a massive Ponzi scheme.” Lawyer (pointing): “Joe Firmage and his associates misled investors with false promises!”	Panel 2: A board listing names: Joe Firmage, Robert Richards, and a smaller note linking Ken Wilber. A hand circles Wilber's name with a red marker. Caption: “Even Ken Wilber's name was drawn into the controversy, raising questions about the role of the Integral community in this debacle.” Observer: “Was this naivety—or complicity?”

Page 4: The Call for Transparency

Panel 1: Frank Visser, sitting at a desk with a laptop, typing furiously, the headline “The Truth About Joe Firmage” on the screen. Caption: “In an exposé, Frank Visser called for greater integrity and transparency in the Integral community.” Visser (narrating): “This is not just about one man's downfall. It's about ensuring truth and accountability in our ideals.”	Panel 2: A group of thoughtful individuals standing together, symbolizing a renewed commitment to ethical principles. Caption: “The scandal became a cautionary tale, a reminder of the need for vigilance against deceit—no matter how alluring the vision.” Text overlay: “Can the Integral community learn from this—and emerge stronger?”

Appendix

This Comic Story Script is based on the summary of the article mentioned in the notes.[1] I reprint it here for your convenience. The summary was generated with NotebookLM. The script is generated by ChatGPT; images were generated by DALL-E through ChatGPT.

Summary by NotebookLM: The article by Frank Visser on IntegralWorld describes a lawsuit against Joe Firmage, a once-successful internet entrepreneur, for large-scale investment fraud. Firmage, previously known for his interest in UFOs and alternative science, claimed to have developed a revolutionary propulsion technology. This attracted investors, including prominent figures from Ken Wilber's "Integral" philosophy circle, based on false promises of government contracts.
The case accuses Firmage and his associates, including Robert Richards and, to a lesser extent, Ken Wilber, of running a Ponzi scheme. The article examines the allegations, the individuals involved, and Wilber's potential role. Visser advocates for transparency and integrity within the Integral community while questioning the naivety or complicity of the investors involved.

NOTES

[1] Frank Visser, "Joe Firmage: The Two Hundred Million Dollar Man, Are Some Integral Celebs Involved in a Huge Money Scam?", www.integralworld.net, December 2024.