Re: A few thoughts on things cultic

I am not worried about GC becoming cultish because I trust myself that I am unlikely to succumb to such types of control, nor do I fear others would naturally become so unstable.

Perhaps not perfectly, but I'm firmly grounded in logic, so I believe it would take a great amount of effort to get me on the band-wagon following OR leading a cult. I think the more natural progression for a board like this is more towards that of anarchy, ruled by the people, just as most internet-organized events tend to be. I wouldn't worry about girlchat becoming a cult any more than I might worry poker night becoming one.

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.

I see this as a positive factor, not a risk factor. I think the larger the number of people who recognize or identify GL feelings in themselves the better for us all. The more people that learn about it, and can speak out against the anti's, and articulate a concise message, the better. You say they will be more sheepish as newcomers. Regardless of this potential truth, naivety is innate without knowledge, but where are the newly discovered to go if not to a forum like this? Surely if it were true that some would be sheepish, most are bound to become of increasing value over time. More newcomers means a larger base. A larger base should be more stable than a smaller one.

That said, I'm more concerned about our quality of life than about the culti-ness of GC.