Dillon Levenque Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 Persephone Emerald wrote: Since people in SL can't really have this much control over others, I don't think we need to worry about cults in here. Ya think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Venus Petrov Posted August 21, 2011 Author Share Posted August 21, 2011 Persephone Emerald wrote: The The Advanced Bonewits’ Cult Danger Evaluation Frame is a good guide for distiguishing a cult. Since people in SL can't really have this much control over others, I don't think we need to worry about cults in here. http://www.neopagan.net/ABCDEF.html Excellent source. I like the sliding scale. So, it is entirely possible that one would be under cult-like influences without being in a full-blown cult. Given in SL that anyone can teleport out of situations and mute anyone they choose, no one can truely be 'controlled' unless they choose to be controlled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamela Galli Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 Now that you mention it I have noticed lately this overwhelming compulsion to wear pearls and hats with flowers on them, and attend tea parties. :matte-motes-agape: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda Brynner Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Well, actually i am not very much a groupy not in RL, not in SL... Why? because of peer pressure and unwanted influences... and i really do dislike routines and trash cult which the latter is very, very pressuring in SL... like... Linda should you not get a better skin in all these years?... uhmm no, i deeply dislike bling, tattoos, cacial hair, caps, barbie dolling and trash wear... eeeewwww, and the latter is sooo SL cult, but i have never ever engaged to that. I stayed myself... Did i ever find a group matching me? Some... a few yes, but 2 or 3 in my almost 5 years in SL, and they were not pressuring at all. I tend to be very selective in SL, much more even than RL. I'd like to keep my SL warm, dignified with loyalty to matching friends in SL (rare). Hmm am i a cult now? Lol, perhaps one on my own... hahah. Because i am me... a free thinking spirit as much as possible which is unique these days ""None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free"... Goethe...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Danube Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 One guy who is loud and sometimes obnoxious will be seen parading his ass down the red carpet like he owns the place and on many occasion he would be seen parading with a loyal companion by his side or trailing his back. He will wiggle his saggy behind and many times will burp like a giant toad to onlookers. His companion without much cue will auto respond to his action in the form of appraisal or forced laugh. Sometimes he will burp and fart at an innocent passerby, the poor passerby will reprimand him and of course being the cult leader he must assert his authority therefore he retaliates. His loyal companion will quickly echoed his sentiments. Of course when asked why this loyal companion behaves like that, he/she will quickly reply that he/she is his/her own person and he/she thinks they're right. Litlle that they know, they are seen by others as a cult..... And the only way to bring them down is an organised stampede from another, much bigger Cult group.... Not that I'm not enjoying what I'm seeing.... You only need to have one other person beside yourself to form a group. I think I will form a cult group myself... except maybe this one is of more binding nature than the usual. Anyone who wants to join must marry me. With complete marriage ritual and sacrifical of lambs or anything that moves. I may or may not need to consumate the marriage depending on the colour of hair, quality of skin and the amount of scripted genitalia. But almost everyone is welcome, of course... I'll send you an invite too if I think you may be good in bed or something. Or I'll IM'd you and entice you with loads of features in the form of Flickr Brochures of the cult's activity and your reaction will determined whether you'll be a good candidate in my cult's "Make Love Not War" quest of hugging ever trees in SL and filling up all those unmanned vehicles on the mainland road with flaxseed oil. Your reward? A day spent exclusively with yours truly in my Xcite compatible, eco-friendly hammock up in the sky. (We'll play Sudoku...) So who is with me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DQ Darwin Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Hello Venus: That's a rather interesting definition of a cult, it could in fact be, by your terms, everyone who joined SL is a member of a cult. The cult being SL itself. Group for the sole purpose of pulling the group together for formal and informal gatherings Is this against their expressed will? These groups are not open enrollment because the leader(s) like to maintain ‘quality control’ over membership. You pay the 100L you to can set the limits on your group, your money your choice. Group gatherings occur on a regular basis, sometimes with a ‘theme’ – like dancing with sheep or wearing funny hats. So a group in your mind should not get together, should stand around watching paint dry, cows not sheep, and don't touch the hats. When threats surface, the leader may intervene personally and try to influence the threat and, ultimately, draw the threat into the fold (to better control it). Don't let Rodvik read that one. Just thought I would quickly mention the above, to me it doesn't make sense. I really stopped by to drop off your order of Bats blood, newt eyes, brooms and second hand chrome plated candle holders. Where do you want them over here by the.......oh my what a big kettle. @Canoro A very nice answer:) @Willow: I'm in Venus Petrov wrote: I am not referring to informal gatherings of individuals who share like interests. I am not referring to RP groups like Bloodlines. I am referring to individuals who create a Group for the sole purpose of pulling the group together for formal and informal gatherings. These groups are not open enrollment because the leader(s) like to maintain ‘quality control’ over membership. Group gatherings occur on a regular basis, sometimes with a ‘theme’ – like dancing with sheep or wearing funny hats. Most group members, once inculcated, will acknowledge publicly the leader or leaders. This social construct is a clique. To become a cult, one individual in particular must be at least informally acknowledged as the leader. This leader influences what cult members do and think (particularly about others) and will work to influence the views of non-cult members who they may feel have an influential voice for some members or future members. In many instances, the power of this leader is not obvious to those outside the cult. The leader will quietly gather information and may use surrogates to keep members in line. When threats surface, the leader may intervene personally and try to influence the threat and, ultimately, draw the threat into the fold (to better control it). Dissent is a threat. Any public views must be supportive of individual members. Views contrary to members from the outside must be suppressed (by ignoring, flaming, or removing). Are you or have you been a member of a clique or cult in SL? Have you experienced the influence of a clique or cult? Please do not use names as it is against Community Standards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melita Magic Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Nope. Not much of a joiner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eyeye Afterthought Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 My ex GF said I was a cult once. I think she said cult. :mansurprised: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dillon Levenque Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 We say LOL a lot around here. I DID laugh out loud at that. Thanks. Brilliantly stated. Sorry about the ex-GF but you know how it goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dillon Levenque Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Melita Magic wrote: Nope. Not much of a joiner. Oh yeah? You may not be 'much of a joiner' but I seem to remember you doing something that brought people together. That is 'joining' too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melita Magic Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Dillon Levenque wrote: Melita Magic wrote: Nope. Not much of a joiner. Oh yeah? You may not be 'much of a joiner' but I seem to remember you doing something that brought people together. That is 'joining' too. Does that make me a cult leader? :smileysurprised: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dillon Levenque Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Melita Magic wrote: Dillon Levenque wrote: Melita Magic wrote: Nope. Not much of a joiner. Oh yeah? You may not be 'much of a joiner' but I seem to remember you doing something that brought people together. That is 'joining' too. Does that make me a cult leader? :smileysurprised: :-). Dunno. Do elves have cults? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melita Magic Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Dillon Levenque wrote: Melita Magic wrote: Dillon Levenque wrote: Melita Magic wrote: Nope. Not much of a joiner. Oh yeah? You may not be 'much of a joiner' but I seem to remember you doing something that brought people together. That is 'joining' too. Does that make me a cult leader? :smileysurprised: :-). Dunno. Do elves have cults? And headquarters... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dillon Levenque Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Oooh. A cult with cookies. I can haz brainwash? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kattatonia Wickentower Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 I've always been intrigued by that image of the Keebler cookie tree. Can I join? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dillon Levenque Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 If Mr. Wilder is your spokesman, the chocolate is not needed. Sign me up :-). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melita Magic Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 kattatonia Wickentower wrote: I've always been intrigued by that image of the Keebler cookie tree. Can I join? Does that image...speak to you? Somewhere in the dark recesses of your mind? Er, I mean...that old thing? Sure come on in... We have candy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dillon Levenque Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 I've no idea how or why this all works but it is so much fun wnen it does. I'm leaving laughing, and maybe thinking of reaching up and tugging on one end of that bowtie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charolotte Caxton Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Awesome but I'm not enjoying it either Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ann Otoole Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 I don't have to worry about such things. Nobody wants me in their clique Strength In Anonymity! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Undercroft Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 I think that such groups are usually foundered with the best of intentions. However, after a period of time, once the novelty factor is gone, they often become divisive. Some people seem to thrive on the attention they get, and influence they enjoy, from playing a key role organising the activities of such groups and a certain bitterness sets in as they see the group beginning to break up and their ability to influence others diminish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eloise Baily Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Never been part of a clique as such, but I do have a sudden urge to paint myself orange for some strange reason, but I do have a couple of groups where I and only one other person are members. Both of them have been dear friends from the beginning. I guess it's the staying power. The only thing it gives me is a totally brilliant group tag. Aside from that, it's not even thought about and NEVER deleted no matter how much I want the free shoes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Venus Petrov Posted August 22, 2011 Author Share Posted August 22, 2011 Thank you all for your thoughtful comments and views. Anywhere there are people (even operating avatars), there will be those who seek to influence others. Most of the time it is benign and harmless. Sometimes it is a bit stronger. Then there are times when it becomes difficult for some to escape. My OP was intentionally provocative to encourage discussion. If it resonated with some readers, even those who may not have posted, for whatever reason, it's a good thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quinn Morani Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 The most provocative post, to me, in this entire thread is one that has disappeared. I saw it, I heard it, and even though a part of it is off the mark, I do understand why she feels the way she does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryanne Solo Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Vegemite on whole grain toast for brekkie... yummm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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