Until I stumbled on this board... I really hadn't thought much about The Seed for years. Some would say it's because the horrendous memories needed to be suppressed (i'm exaggerating to make a point) while others might think it was a good/bad experience (like other experiences in life) that happened a long time ago.
My QUESTION really is this: What was Art Barker's "thoughts" and intentions when he first developed the program? Were they to really help others who were in trouble or did he plan to aspire for power and/or wealth & be the "leader" of a large group/following?
Did he start out doing good things for the "right reasons" then something went wrong?
I personally don't know Art. I saw him of course while in the program several times, spoke of him often in raps, passed out brochures for him when he was running for some political office in '76, listened to him (and Shelley) in open meetings- but was not in his "inner circle". We never had a personal or private conversation. He never asked me for my opinion about anything. I graduated after 12 mos & never really looked back.
There is a saying that 'power corrupts & absolute power corrupts absolutely' & I wonder if that happened? I don't know & probably never will, but judging by all the harsh feelings I hear from others... maybe this did happen.
If someone who was in the "inner circle" would shed some light & share their opinions about Art's real thinking it would be interesting to alot of people I would think.
Is/was Art an evil person or a maligned good person?