I think you’re wrong that Level 4 is rare. It describes everyday reality in the upper strata of any cult—the psychopathic leadership class who make up shit for everyone else to believe, or claim to believe for status, or etc, and compete for status among those followers. And there are a LOT of cults in modern society, including organizations not traditionally perceived as cults, such as political ideologies.
I propose a test—if apologizing for or clarifying a controversial position is obviously a bad move, you’re dealing with Level 4 actors. In such cases, your critics don’t care about what you believe. Their narrative calls for a villain, and they’ve chosen you.
I think you’re wrong that Level 4 is rare. It describes everyday reality in the upper strata of any cult—the psychopathic leadership class who make up shit for everyone else to believe, or claim to believe for status, or etc, and compete for status among those followers. And there are a LOT of cults in modern society, including organizations not traditionally perceived as cults, such as political ideologies.
I propose a test—if apologizing for or clarifying a controversial position is obviously a bad move, you’re dealing with Level 4 actors. In such cases, your critics don’t care about what you believe. Their narrative calls for a villain, and they’ve chosen you.