Fun traditions might be undignified by the standards of academia, but they’re perfectly normal in many other social contexts (small company, group house, etc.)
You know what else exemplifies “mild cult behavior”? Burning Man! They give each other physical gifts instead of imaginary internet gifts. Even more problematic.
If you are willing to define “cult” broadly enough, you can use the term to shut down any kind of cultural development. (Of course, cultural development that’s already happened will get grandfathered in, the same way we don’t call religions “cults” because they are too dignified and established.)
I was being sarcastic. My point was that the “cult” label can be hard to shake whether or not it’s deserved—I analogized to Burning Man since it shares characteristics with LW, but was lucky enough to avoid getting labeled a “cult”.
I’ve said it before and I’ve said it again—this is mild cult behavior.
… That being said, bring on the low cost gratification! I’ve taken the survey!
Fun traditions might be undignified by the standards of academia, but they’re perfectly normal in many other social contexts (small company, group house, etc.)
You know what else exemplifies “mild cult behavior”? Burning Man! They give each other physical gifts instead of imaginary internet gifts. Even more problematic.
If you are willing to define “cult” broadly enough, you can use the term to shut down any kind of cultural development. (Of course, cultural development that’s already happened will get grandfathered in, the same way we don’t call religions “cults” because they are too dignified and established.)
No, I don’t think it does. Burning Man is an event and a community. I don’t see any cultish tendencies around it.
I was being sarcastic. My point was that the “cult” label can be hard to shake whether or not it’s deserved—I analogized to Burning Man since it shares characteristics with LW, but was lucky enough to avoid getting labeled a “cult”.
You really think it was just luck that BM didn’t get a “cult” label and LW did..?
I did not mean to say that it was “just” luck, but of course luck played a role (as it always does).