this post was submitted on 03 Mar 2026
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Like any group, it consists of individuals - and the differences among members within the group are usually greater than the differences between that group and others. Also, cults tend to form around a charismatic leader, whereas this is just a self-selected bunch of people.
The entire concept is build on reactionary ideology and has absolutely nothing constructive or positive about it. Everyone involved are a bunch of fascist assholes.
This is not new, presbyterian minister and dietary reformer Sylvester Graham invented special crackers to prevent masturbation in 1829. John Kellog invented corn flakes to stop masturbation in 1898.
No nut cults have been a US thing for 200 years.
I don't know what I'd be like if I constantly had my biological needs denied but I probably wouldn't be an easy person to get along with.
Those damn fascists again.
So how about the Rationalists? They are a cultlike group with a charismatic founder (Eli Yudkowsky), despite the founder's well-documented proximity to rampant sexual abuse, and even a group of his followers committing acts of violence in line with his ideology.
Would you consider at least this group to be a cult, and worthy of condemnation?