Interesting thread on the mechanics of cult ideologies, applicable to some "memeplexes" that seem to be becoming fit predators on the cultural landscape organically. I especially like this point: the "public apology" has become something more like the stance of a prisoner of warhttps://twitter.com/hadrianbelove/status/1271836421968457730 …
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Evolutionary processes often yield stuff that looks similar to intentional systems — culture is "trying" billions of little experiments simultaneously, and interactions that yield power shifts under new social circumstances wind up becoming increasingly refined
To my mind, the big question is "why are mechanisms eerily similar to the same ones that make cults work becoming so dominant in the broader culture?" It's really a question about why this is happening *now,* or what about the environment has changed.
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Lifton thought the explosion was related to fear of death & fear of social change (ironically). What I saw most consistent in cult followers was a deep need for meaning in their lives; as trad structures collapse, we seek structures and double down to avoid moral confusion.
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To some extent, I think social media allows for memeplex discovery at orders of magnitude higher rate. Throw in bots pushing every variation of every ideas that might be divisive and it seems an ideal environment for faster speed to fitness.
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I guess my only question is - why not now? There’s been a struggle for centuries fighting against the forces that create these power dynamics. Some people may only relaize it now (awakening) or just finally feel safe about speaking against en masse.
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Another theory from Eric Hoffer’s True Believer, is that people become ideologically inflamed most when they are gaining or losing class.
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