From: Max More (max@maxmore.com)
Date: Tue Jun 05 2001 - 05:05:41 MDT
At 12:21 AM 6/5/01, All Billings wrote:
> I would disagree with your list of defining characteristics but that's
>fine.
I think his list of characteristics of a cult was incomplete but accurate.
All the other characteristics I could list do not apply well to the
extropian community.
> > 1. the usual verbal activity is agreement, not disputation
>
> But everyone agrees on certain things here to a pretty fair degree. The
>Singularity? Uploading in some form? AI? Nanotechnology?
So what? That's a ludicrous condition for a cult. That also describes chess
teams, professional associations, many business cultures, and many other
non-cult social groupings. There is a tremendous amount that we do not
agree on and which we debate vigorously and endlessly. That is the very
antithesis of cult-like behavior.
> > 2. there are one or more central figures whose teachings
> > or pronouncements are held in awe
>
> Max More and his Extropian Principles. All bow before Max's wisdom...
Oh, right. I'm constantly being bowed to. Always having to tell my acolytes
to straighten up in my presence. Yes, sure, not only do many people find my
writings illuminating and useful, they also slavishly and uncritically
absorb them undigested. Really. That must also explain the vast flow of
income into Extropy Institute. (Enough to employ one person part-time.)
> > 5. you're either in or you're out
>
> That's about the only thing missing here but perhaps the Extropian
>Institute qualifies?
That must explain why there are so many Extropians, including many on this
list, who have never bothered to become formal ExI members. Obviously being
an ExI member puts you with the "in" crowd. Oh yes, you see that attitude
all the time. Really.
Sorry, but it's hard not to be sarcastic when hearing this drivel. Maybe
I'm just in a irritable mood after listening to an utterly appalling piece
of environ-fundamentalism from Bruce Sterling in New York a couple of days
ago. I'm really very bored of hearing the moronic "cult" card being played
by critics, who know little of the characteristics of cults, and have no
patience for serious thinking about social groups.
Max
_______________________________________________________
Max More, Ph.D.
Futurist, Speaker, Consultant.
max@maxmore.com or more@extropy.org
http://www.maxmore.com
________________________________________________________________
President, Extropy Institute. http://www.extropy.org
Chair, 06.15.01, Extro-5: Shaping Things to Come,
http://www.extropy.org/ex5/index.htm
________________________________________________________________
Senior Content Architect, ManyWorlds Inc.: http://www.manyworlds.com
"The Premier Business Strategy Source"
m.more@manyworlds.com
_______________________________________________________
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