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Campsite Media this episode contains references to suicide and violence.
Listener discretion is advised.
We also do not endorse any of the books mentioned in this week's episode or encourage listeners to engage in activities described in these books.
Many of these activities may be illegal, and if you are struggling with thoughts of self harm or suicide, please consider reaching out to mental health professionals.
In early October, I found myself sitting in a fancy establishment known as 1880 Club, which is a members only place in Singapore.
It was ridiculously posh and I felt totally out of place in my ratty pants and wrinkled shirt.
I was there to meet someone who had agreed to an off the record meeting.
We'll call him Mister X.
He's one of the founders of a publishing company that I have been stalking for years.
These guys publish how to manuals that are unlike any DIY book you've ever seen before, including one manual that's of particular interest to our podcast.
That manual has been involved in at least one crime, but if I had the guess, it's played a role in many, many more.
This publishing house, Otta Shuppan, has a history of producing books cited for being highly controversial, even harmful.
Over time, Mister X's reputation got so bad that he left Japan altogether to start over in Singapore.
That's what his buddy told me, and I have been trying to get ahold of this guy for a while now, even before he left the country.
I've sent him letters and emails, faxes, but nothing.
In fact, it's not just Mister X.
Everyone at this publishing house has ignored everything I've sent them for nearly 30 years.
I've always wanted to know who publishes these books and why.
Is it some elaborate stunt trolling, I guess we'd call it today?
Or is there some darker force at work?