I fear the word “cult” obscures many difficult issues. I’m no fan of Rand-fandom, but I think it is important to identify as clearly as possible just what signs people within such a group could use to see they have a problem. For example, “ostracizing anyone who dared contradict her” would seemingly apply to a great many, perhaps the majority, of ordinary human organizations.
I fear the word “cult” obscures many difficult issues. I’m no fan of Rand-fandom, but I think it is important to identify as clearly as possible just what signs people within such a group could use to see they have a problem. For example, “ostracizing anyone who dared contradict her” would seemingly apply to a great many, perhaps the majority, of ordinary human organizations.