tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8304928500646903522.post1392177373321195217..comments2024-03-28T18:32:05.933-04:00Comments on bensozia: "Cultish" and MeJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01037215533094998996noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8304928500646903522.post-78535173381226590202022-03-09T21:21:52.432-05:002022-03-09T21:21:52.432-05:00@Shadow
I'd liken it to Fascism - experts on ...@Shadow<br /><br />I'd liken it to Fascism - experts on the topic routinely differ on the criteria they use to define Fascism itself, and different kinds of Fascists exhibit different qualities from one another, to the point that it's hard to really quantitatively work out exactly where the "critical mass" point is... but on a qualitative level, if you're paying attention you will know a Fascist when you see one.<br /><br />I think ultimately, cults are defined by their zealotry and their obsession with control - in all the various forms those things can take. Language is, indeed, frequently a major tool of cults - but it's still just a tool.G. Verlorennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8304928500646903522.post-46352417072656633722022-03-09T14:11:06.145-05:002022-03-09T14:11:06.145-05:00I don't think there is any one characteristic ...I don't think there is any one characteristic that is necessary and sufficient for defining a cult. There seem to be tell-tale characteristics -- charismatic leader (usually alive but sometimes dead); a vocabulary unique to the group; small size; isolation, yada yada yada -- but how many of them (and others) have to be present to reach critical mass? In the end it seems like, you know one when you see one. Shadowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05353532874773316117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8304928500646903522.post-49317390382892961942022-03-09T13:36:08.620-05:002022-03-09T13:36:08.620-05:00I'd propose if using normal language may lead ...I'd propose if using normal language may lead to misunderstandings and you need more precise language to make your thoughts easier to understand, then it's professional jargon. If however you could've just use normal words and instead you are using terms which have no clearly defined meaning and seems to be really fluid, so the result seem to be that your thoughts are harder to understand, then it's clearly cultish.<br /><br />As for sense of belonging, well. It's normal that people want to belong somewhere. That's why subcultures are forming (or maybe: _were_ forming? Because nowadays it's more "internet communities" when people are anonymous and feel to be part of anonymous community)szopenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02234132446740838968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8304928500646903522.post-34193613138369045632022-03-09T09:52:55.095-05:002022-03-09T09:52:55.095-05:00David,
Exactly -- Agree completely. David,<br /><br />Exactly -- Agree completely. Shadowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05353532874773316117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8304928500646903522.post-56483640842711588942022-03-09T09:45:46.471-05:002022-03-09T09:45:46.471-05:00@Shadow
One could say the same about plumbers, au...@Shadow<br /><br />One could say the same about plumbers, auto mechanics, doctors, musicians, sports fans, gardeners, bird watchers, and just about any other human group.<br /><br />A special language can be used for the exclusionary purposes described. But jargons are also created because they are useful. It seems to me language quality is a pretty weak definer for cult.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14456987412710878404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8304928500646903522.post-35868544699785659582022-03-09T03:30:57.144-05:002022-03-09T03:30:57.144-05:00"Listen to a conversation between two high-ra..."Listen to a conversation between two high-ranking Scientologists, she says, and you will not have a clue what they are talking about. The special cult language bonds members together, creates a sense of being special insiders, and divides them from the rest of humanity."<br /><br />Sounds like a number of academic fields. Shadowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05353532874773316117noreply@blogger.com