AI Summary
5 min read“If this is some sort of psyop, it’s nearly perfect,” says Carson Pace, vocalist of the band The Callous Daoboys, of the gang stalking phenomenon. “Because the second that someone thinks they’re being targeted, they tell everyone that they’re targeted, and then everyone tells them that they’re crazy. And they’re like, ‘Well, everyone thinks I’m crazy.’ And it just keeps going.”
On this episode of Panic World, host Ryan Broderick and co-host Grant Irving are joined by Pace to explore the history and mechanics of gang stalking—the belief that an individual is being systematically surveilled, harassed, and victimized by unknown agents. The conversation traces the idea from its pre-internet roots through its crystallization in early web forums, its absorption into the QAnon ecosystem, and its stubborn persistence as a template for paranoid thinking.
What gang stalking is and how it works
The academic definition of gang stalking refers to allegations of surveillance and harassment by unknown agents. People who believe they are victims call themselves “targeted individuals” (TIs). The core belief is that a coordinated group—often the government, wealthy corporations, or shadowy networks—is following them, breaking into their homes, beaming thoughts into their heads, or using everyday service workers (mail carriers, locksmiths, janitors) as unwitting operatives.
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What you'll learn
- 1 (05:23) **Gang Stalking Defined** - The hosts and guest Carson Pace establish the topic and the academic definition of gang stalking
- 2 (09:17) **Why Gang Stalking Is a Perfect Cognitive Hazard** - Carson explains why the belief system is so sticky and destructive
- 3 (12:20) **Origins: The Mind Control Forum (1995)** - The proto-history of gang stalking begins with a Webby-nominated website
- 4 (15:27) **The Psyop Theory** - Carson and Ryan debate whether gang stalking could be a government experiment
- 5 (20:15) **Who Gets Targeted? The Political Shift** - The demographics of gang stalking have changed over time
- 6 (24:18) **The Class Dynamic of "They"** - Who exactly are the gang stalkers supposed to be?
- 7 (29:55) **Mainstream Coverage and the Tinfoil Hat Study** - The Washington Post and New York Times cover the phenomenon in 2007-2008
+ Full timestamped outline available in the app
Guests on this episode
Show Notes
Have you ever been gang stalked? Or gang stalked someone? Hopefully not. But if you don’t even know what that is, today we’re talking about a weird little thing called “gang stalking.” That’s when TIs (“targeted individuals”) believe they’re being followed by… someone. Or a group of unknown people who seek to ruin the TI’s life through constant surveillance and harassment. Who are the people who think they’re being gang stalked, and why? Carson Pace of the Callous Daoboys joins us to talk about his fascination with the gang stalking community and its history. We’re going way back to 1995, with its origins on the “Mind Control Forum,” to “Gang Stalking World,” and up till today’s modern incarnations like r/gangstalking — and obviously its connections to QAnon, Pizzagate, and Epstein. Our guest and TI, Carson Pace, can be found on X, the everything app @Carsondaoboys or on Instagram @carsonfromdaoboys. You can also find Callous Daoboys everywhere you listen to banging music — or if you’re in Europe, they’re kicking off a tour in November. Speaking of tours, catch Garbage Day LIVE in Brooklyn on October 27th at Baby’s All Right: https://wl.eventim.us/event/garbage-day/705215?afflky=BabysAllRightBrooklyn&utm_source=www.garbaged And in Washington, DC on November 18th at Pubkey: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/garbage-day-live-presents-garbage-250-tickets-2003076360315 Want even more Panic World content? Like ad-free episodes, bonuses & exclusives, and access to our members-only Discord? Sign up for a membership for just $6.66 a month at https://www.patreon.com/PanicWorld.
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Credits - Host: Ryan Broderick - Producer: Grant Irving - Production Coordinator: Josh Fjelstad - Researcher: Adam Bumas
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