Cult: Yay or Nay?

I'm half-surprised that it seems whether or not this Molyneux is manipulative is being debated (within the overall topic of whether there is a cult involved with him); despite not reading and/or viewing his material or community, I've gotta say it sounds like ye old hat stuff to me, something that wouldn't be out of place over at the DailyKos, or at other various message boards, where some sort of cult of personalities develop a rag-tag hierarchy of sorts, which can either lead to or feed this collectivist event.

I'll give one thing for Freud though; when it comes to manipulation, his psychology is second to none, especially considering that he is a household name, driven by watered down & poorly understood (in most cases) portrayals (of his concepts & the man himself) in popular media.

Despite given said credentials regarding theory, especially with defooing (while I largely ignore Freud, I think he was on to some interesting things late in his career before he died), the man still sounds like a salesman to me, which doesn't surprise me in the least bit regarding his tactics of an "unspoken bias towards an emerging personality cult & congruent hirearchy that encourages censorship for the good of the collectivists involved".


I would not absolutley prevent myself from viewing anything he says (that has interesting ideas or merit), but the guy sounds like he has a bit of a less then honest  agenda, to me.

Also, I feel the Rand comparisons, while helpful, give this Molyneux far too much credit, as posting videos online & having your own radio site can more or less shield you from outward criticism (and effectivley create a mini-universe, which would certainly help foster growth of a cult of personality).

Rand had the gumption & character to publish out in the open (granted, the internet wasn't around), & activley engage critics, despite having an 'inner circle', which to my knowledge, eventually disassembled due to relationships within said circle.   
 
Finally, I found the event of a falling out between the father & daughter most disgusting; that such psychological mind games would tear apart a family, especially considering it was largely externally influenced (and at some point, encouraged) by Moly & Co., is disturbing.

I would also point out that this Molyneux debacle is a perfect example of the inherent abuse a hierarchy presents itself, aside from the more obvious cult of personality implications.

All points very well taken.  A couple thoughts...

Nitroadict:

Also, I feel the Rand comparisons, while helpful, give this Molyneux far too much credit, as posting videos online & having your own radio site can more or less shield you from outward criticism (and effectivley create a mini-universe, which would certainly help foster growth of a cult of personality).

I believe you have described what is currently happening. Within the mini-universe, Molyneux can (and does) now interpret and contextualize for his followers any external criticisms received, to his favor and without fear of clarification from the critic.

Nitroadict:

I would also point out that this Molyneux debacle is a perfect example of the inherent abuse a hierarchy presents itself, aside from the more obvious cult of personality implications.

I've described that as the most delicious pardox of the Molyneux "miniverse." One wonders, after the anarchy revolution he anticipates, how Molyneux will fit into a community he cannot control.

I found this video amusing.

It is because we live in a crazy society with an abusive government that psychology is so dangerous. In a crazy society, it is the job of psychology to make the sane, insane. The sane are those who have functional problems living in a crazy society, those who don't "get it." These are also the people who will be diagnosed insane, and sent to a psychologist - who must then numb their brain (or refer them to a psychiatrist to do so) and give them the tools to be insane.