I believe the parent is referring more to referral/promo networks.

For a positive example, I knew one of my senior managers basically brought 15 people from his previous company, to the point where a comfortable majority of people under him were from the company.

This can be nefarious when the network arises from abusive or unhealthy environments.

While that may be bad, it is rediculous to call that a cult.

Yeah it's pretty hyperbolic

Is this really a positive thing? It creates in-groups and decreases diversity. Sure, it makes hiring easier but this is exactly how you end up with old boys clubs.

In this case the result was positive, and it netted the company a very productive team. That type of situation is definitely risky though

this happens a lot in consulting. Someone in leadership leaves for another firm and is tasked to start building. Then they call up all their old aces and bring them over fleshing out Sr positions and then the new guys fill in with their aces and so on. It's a small world in some ways.

I'm curious about the definition as well. "Cult" generally has a very specific set of behaviors associated with it as a term, where the GP could easily be describing a close-knit, large friend group.

"Cliques" I can see. Techies are often delayed adolescents in many ways.

Indian castes.

Startups. Full of idols :-P