Re:Is the Singularity a Cult? A Nonviolent Debate
by biohacker42 on Tuesday May 26, 2009 @04:36PM
(#627462)
Does the group have the task of somehow saving the world?
Sort of?
Re:Is the Singularity a Cult? A Nonviolent Debate
by stcredzero on Tuesday May 26, 2009 @05:02PM
(#627506)
If they're only going to "sort-of" save the world, and their plans don't involve the use of WMDs and the instigation of financial catastrophe, then they may not qualify as a full-on "cult."
How about "motley crew of goofballs?" Or MCoG status, for short.
Does the group make constructive use of new data and new ideas? Are new scientific discoveries ignored or denied because they conflict with important teachings of the group? Is one free to bring in ideas from the outside world? Is there a claim of infallibility?
A second metric for "cult-like":
Is group membership coercive? Is one free to leave? Can one freely talk or write about their experience in the group? Are such communications censored or censured by the group?
A third metric for "cult-like":
Are all individuals and other groups opposed to the group defined as "evil" or otherwise fundamentally harmful or harmfully misguided? Does the group have the task of somehow saving the world?