A group of young, brilliant minds set out to change the world—but their journey spiraled into chaos, violence, and tragedy. This is the shocking story of the Zizians.
The Rise of the Zizians: Idealism and the Pursuit of Rationality
The story of the Zizians began with a group of gifted individuals deeply embedded in the world of artificial intelligence, effective altruism, and rationalist thought. Their original goal was noble: to prevent existential risks to humanity, particularly those posed by AI. They were closely associated with organizations like the Machine Intelligence Research Institute (MIRI) and the Center for Applied Rationality (CFAR), both of which were dedicated to ensuring AI safety.
However, what started as intellectual discussions and theoretical debates soon took a darker turn. The Zizians, particularly their de facto leader, Ziz LaSota, became increasingly radicalized. Their ideology shifted from mainstream rationalism to an extreme and insular philosophy that rejected societal norms and embraced a doctrine of absolute moral responsibility.
A Protest That Changed Everything
In November 2019, the group staged a controversial protest at Westminster Woods, a retreat center in Northern California where CFAR was hosting an alumni reunion. Dressed in black robes and masks, they blocked the entrance and demanded accountability from CFAR, alleging corruption and discrimination within the organization.
What followed was a dramatic police response. Authorities, mistakenly believing the protesters were armed, escalated the situation, leading to the violent arrest of four members: Ziz LaSota, Gwen Danielson, Emma Borhanian, and Alex Leatham. The charges ranged from false imprisonment to conspiracy, marking the beginning of their legal troubles.
From Protest to Violence: The Split from Rationalism
After their arrests, the Zizians became even more isolated. They severed ties with the rationalist community, accusing it of hypocrisy and betrayal. Meanwhile, they continued formulating their own radical philosophy, which included elements of transhumanism, anarchism, and a unique interpretation of decision theory.
As the years passed, tensions escalated. Some members of the group died by suicide, while others went into hiding. The situation reached a boiling point in late 2022 when a violent altercation erupted in Vallejo, California. Curtis Lind, an 80-year-old property owner, was brutally attacked with knives and a samurai sword by members of the group. In the ensuing struggle, Lind shot and killed Emma Borhanian.
The Fugitive Years and the Final Confrontation
With multiple members facing criminal charges, the remaining Zizians went underground. Ziz LaSota faked her own death in 2022, staging a dramatic disappearance from a boat in the San Francisco Bay. However, she re-emerged in 2025, living under an alias.
The group’s activities culminated in a shocking series of events in early 2025. A coordinated attack on a key witness, Curtis Lind, led to his assassination in Vallejo. Just days later, a deadly shootout with federal agents in Vermont resulted in the deaths of a Border Patrol officer and one of the Zizians.
What Happens Next?
As of now, several key figures, including Ziz LaSota and Michelle Zajko, have been captured, while others remain at large. The authorities are still piecing together how a group that once sought to protect humanity from technological threats became embroiled in a violent and tragic saga.
The rise and fall of the Zizians serve as a chilling reminder of how radicalization can take hold, even among the most intelligent and well-intentioned individuals. It also highlights the growing concerns around AI ethics and the lengths to which some are willing to go to enforce their beliefs.
For a broader look at the challenges surrounding AI and its societal impact, explore how mass AI deployment in 2025 is affecting industries and governance worldwide.
The Zizian story is far from over. As investigations continue and trials unfold, the world watches to see how this chaotic and tragic chapter will finally close.
