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A few thoughts on things cultic

Posted by Dante on 2010-June-03 08:11:42 EDT, Thursday
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I, for one, can't see GirlChat turning into a cult brainwashed by groupthink. This doesn't mean that there aren't trends in lazy thinking to avoid, or external factors which can lead to a bunker mentality. But I do believe that many signs show our diversity and may protect us from falling into cultic behavior.

One factor is the sheer diversity of GCers in other aspects of their lives. Our ethics and our GirlLove can't help but be influenced by the non-GL aspects of our lives. Its easy enough to compartmentalize GL when we limit how we discuss it ( if we discuss it at all ) with co-workers and neighbors. But how a Marxist views a Girltopia must differ from how an Anarcho-Capitalist views a Girltopia; at least in some measure. What an Atheist wants for the Girls in his life must differ from what a Catholic wants for them. And even if we were to parse GL from religion, politics and a thousand other things which contribute to our world-view; our outlook on GL would still be tinged by our differing experiences.

Another factor are the watchdogs for whom the validity of an argument and of its factual sources are more important than whether its outcome is in agreement with others. While never in the majority, there are still a few here who can be counted on to shoot down any pro-GL argument if its riddled with logical or factual errors. ( Baldur and Hen-Wen come to mind at this late hour. Though I'm sure I'm leaving out others. ) The goal then is not to hold an opinion because it agrees with GL; but to hold it because it is supportable regardless of its agreement with GL.

However there are risk factors here we must be on the watch for.

When our enemies frame the debate in terms of false dichotomies it becomes easy to take the "opposite" side in disregard of the actual nuances. We must not allow opposition to shoddy thinkers to limit our thinking or to define us.

Another risk factor is our own success. GC continues to grow and add more newcomers. Also GLs online presence leads to more people encountering such notions for the first time and seeing themselves in GirlLove. While this can seen like a good thing, its not without its risks. I believe that far too many are defining themselves prematurely by something which might be a negligible component of their sexual identity; and in a perfect world, wouldn't require them coming to GC to discuss. The Anti's hatred of even the smallest traces of GL lead to its magnification in those who have newly discovered GL in themselves. And their desire to "belong" can lead to behavior that is more like that of a follower than that of a freethinker. In short, while GC is not a cult, it still may attract followers who want it to act like one.

And of course we need a better class of Anti to keep us on our toes. One who doesn't resort to threats or slander when frustrated, and one who doesn't start off by trotting out the same 5 arguments which have already been shot down and disproved by the literature.

Anywho, those are a few thoughts off the top o' my head.

Dante

Dante

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