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Gabriel comments on Cult impressions of Less Wrong/Singularity Institute - Less Wrong
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Here's what an outsider might see:
"doomsday beliefs" (something "bad" may happen eschatologically, and we must work to prevent this): check
a gospel (The Sequences): check
vigorous assertions of untestable claims (Everett interpretation): check
a charismatic leader extracting a living from his followers: check
is sometimes called a cult: check
This is enough to make up a lot of minds, regardless of any additional distinctions you may want to make, sadly.
But an outsider would have to spend some time here to see all those things. If they think LW is accurately described by the c-word even after getting acquainted with the site, there might be no point in trying to change their minds. It's better to focus on people who are discouraged by first impressions.