Wilhelm44

Nice, that should solve all our problems here

Don't you think though that the heavy emphasis that Leo has placed on teaching epistemology etc should ensure that something like that could never happen here ?

God, it sounds like a nightmare, I didn't realize there were so many cults.

I'm sorry you went through that, sounds really freaky. Does this cult still exist ?

If you recall, I said "with all due respect" I just don't see how an online cult could be in the same class as something like MAPLE for example. Now I could be wrong. The real point I made was that Leo saying he doesn't feel like teaching you anymore, is something I have heard many a frustrated teacher utter at one point or another. But I acknowledge that you experienced it as a personal threat. If all you really want is a practical definition of a cult, what have you come up with so far ? ie What is your definition of a cult ?

I'm not playing games, I asked a very logical and reasonable question.

Well yeah, in the sense that the finite and the infinite are one, everything is ultimately real.

Have you released any content to a wider public audience ?

This whole thread was started mostly because of Leo claiming to have realized stuff that no one else has. I'm not saying that it's true, but have you considered the possibility that it might be true ?

High school sucked so much

"My point wasn't to paint all moderators with a single brush. My critique is strictly operational: when internal friction gets weaponized publicly, it drains the engine." Spot on. @LordFall

Start a separate thread then where you focus on the actual complaints. Throwing in the cult word prematurely has not been very productive at all, it just leads to a shit show.

Aha, yes I hear you. Would you say that the sense of there being an actual thinker is an illusion or not ?

I feel more real than ever

How is it not relevant. You're literally accusing Leo of running a cult,

If you're experiencing abuse here worse than in an actual cult, it is a bit strange that you still deciding to stay. Must be some massive benefits then. (Also the real cult that you referring to is something that happened on Dischord apparently. You can hardly compare that to something like the MAPLE cult discussed by @Consilience in the other thread.) It sounded to me like Leo felt insulted by you guys insinuating that this is a cult, and he said something to the effect of: makes me not want to teach you guys anymore. Kind of similar to something I heard a teacher say many a time with regards to an unruly class. You said you felt personally threatened by that. No disrespect, but I think it's hardly comparable to the type of personal threats one would probably receive in a place like MAPLE. "I could be wrong though." (Adding this phrase as a caveat at the end, so that @zurew doesn't think I'm running a cult.)

@Carl-Richard If your experience here has been worse than being in an actual cult, what has caused you to stay ?

You say you don't care to call this place a cult, but it sounds like you are. I have never felt personally threatened here. What made you feel personally threatened here ?

Well some people here actually do care about calling this place a cult and I think it's a travesty. I'm not an expert on cults. You asked Leo for his definition of mind control. This is what google says about mind control in cults : Mind control in a cult is a systematic process of coercive persuasion designed to manipulate an individual's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It replaces a person's authentic identity and critical thinking skills with an artificial, cult-dependent identity, enforcing unquestioning obedience to the group or leader. [1, 2, 3] Mental manipulation within these groups is often comprehensively outlined by the BITE Model of Authoritarian Control, created by mental health professional Steve Hassan, which categorizes control into four pillars: [1, 2] 1. Behavior Control Regulating daily life: Controlling what members eat, sleep, wear, and how they spend their time. Financial and resource dominance: Demanding total financial commitment, major time investments, or even turning over assets. Punishment and reward: Using public praise for compliance and shame, ostracism, or punishments for stepping out of line. [1, 2, 3, 4] 2. Information Control Isolation: Cutting members off from friends, family, and external support systems to limit alternative perspectives. Deception: Withholding vital information, altering historical facts, or lying about the group's true intentions and leadership. Information gating: Heavily censoring media, internet access, and forbidding interaction with critics or former members. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] 3. Thought Control Thought-stopping: Training members to instantly block critical or doubtful thoughts using repetitive meditation, chanting, or reciting mantras. Black-and-white thinking: Forcing a strict "us vs. them" mentality where the group is inherently good and the outside world is evil. Reframing reality: Indoctrinating members to interpret all failures as their own fault, ensuring the cult/leader remains infallible. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] 4. Emotional Control Love-bombing: Using excessive flattery, attention, and affection during recruitment to manufacture rapid, intense loyalty. [1, 2, 3] Inducing phobias: Instilling deep, irrational fears of what will happen to them or their loved ones if they question, criticize, or attempt to leave the group. [1, 2] Guilt and fear: Manipulating members through a constant cycle of unworthiness to ensure they constantly strive for the group's approval. [1]

No one here can honestly say they have been manipulated for nefarious purposes, ie manipulated to be literally exploited in bad faith, ie financially, sexually or otherwise. Calling this place a cult is an insult to people who have been in real cults.

Bro I don't need to interact with you. Bro gets challenged and decides I'm not a good faith actor. How do you know I'm not a good faith actor. "You could be wrong"

@zurew I don't owe you shit. Where did I misrepresent any of your positions.

Bro, ur the one making cult accusations. Spell it out.

I asked you that question long ago. You act like ur in some position of righteous power. Answer my question first, jesus I've asked it like 3 times now.

Being manipulated for nefarious purposes. Can you honestly say you have felt unsafe here, or manipulated for nefarious purposes, ie financial, sexual or otherwise literal exploitation ?