Yes, they do. Without strong links to people older and wiser than we are, we get into trouble and drift. Gurus and kings, my friend.
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Thinking they might need it is one thing. Thinking self-styled gurus forcing themselves on people unilaterally is another
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All freedom rests on the freedom to figure stuff out for themselves, badly if necessary.
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Agreed. Forcing people towards enlightenment has never worked: Tibet.
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""We reject kings, presidents and voting. We believe in rough consensus and running code" ietf.org/tao.html
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Opt-in followership implies a leadership model that is definitely not "kings" or "presidents" or even "gurus"
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That is *precisely* the model for gurus. The guru-disciple relationship is like a spiritual adoption process. Vows are exchanged.
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Nope. Tradition has an extraordinary conditioning and coercive power that makes the student's choice not a free choice.
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If a tradition has enough inertia to legitimize the label "guru" or equivalent, it has the power to go crazy.
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A legit guru is a disreputable one. Preferably with no credentials from anywhere, but if not, a defrocked/kicked out one :)

