TUAERC comments on Cult impressions of Less Wrong/Singularity Institute - Less Wrong

29 Post author: John_Maxwell_IV 15 March 2012 12:41AM

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Comment author: gwern 08 September 2012 09:25:13PM 4 points [-]

Most, but not all. The Randians come to mind. Even the Buddha encouraged people to be critical, but doesn't seem to have stopped the cults. I was floored to learn a few weeks ago that Buddhism has formalized even when you stop doubting! When you stop doubting, you become a Sotāpanna; a Sotāpanna is marked by abandoning '3 fetters', the second fetter according to Wikipedia being

Skeptical Doubt - Doubt about the Buddha and his teaching is eradicated because the Sotāpanna personally experiences the true nature of reality through insight, and this insight confirms the accuracy of the Buddha’s teaching.

As well, as unquestioningness becomes a well known trait of cults, cults tend to try to hide it. Scientology hides the craziest dogmas until you're well and hooked, for example.

Comment author: [deleted] 04 January 2013 04:32:16PM 2 points [-]

If the Randians are a cult, LW is a cult.

Like the others, the members just think it's unique in being valid.

Comment author: Desrtopa 04 January 2013 05:02:07PM 1 point [-]

If a person disagrees with Rand about a number of key beliefs, do they still count as a Randian?

Comment author: Peterdjones 10 January 2013 12:40:07AM 0 points [-]
Comment author: [deleted] 07 January 2013 10:32:28PM 0 points [-]

That depends the largest part on what "a number of key beliefs" is.

Comment author: MugaSofer 10 January 2013 09:10:56AM -2 points [-]

Could you elaborate on this?