Rationalist Cult Accusations

The cluster centers on comments labeling rationalist communities, LessWrong, effective altruists, AI enthusiasts, or similar groups as cults or exhibiting strong cult-like behaviors and rhetoric.

➡️ Stable 0.6x Politics & Society
3,830
Comments
20
Years Active
5
Top Authors
#6304
Topic ID

Activity Over Time

2007
13
2008
26
2009
24
2010
40
2011
40
2012
40
2013
75
2014
130
2015
119
2016
114
2017
115
2018
214
2019
239
2020
260
2021
338
2022
613
2023
506
2024
267
2025
622
2026
35

Keywords

AI LLM LessWrong OWL wikipedia.org GME cult sounds collective sounds like singularity whim members forest personality religion

Sample Comments

apotatopot Nov 18, 2019 View on HN

Sounds like a cult to me. Do you want a cult? Because this is how you get a cult.

edgefield0 Apr 8, 2020 View on HN

This is essentially a cult. Sounds about right.

knolan Jun 17, 2022 View on HN

That almost sounds like a cult.

elec3647 Oct 29, 2019 View on HN

Sounds like you’re describing a cult! Haha.

ybx Apr 30, 2016 View on HN

This looks like something you'd find in a cult.

Frqy3 Apr 21, 2017 View on HN

What you described sounds like the modus operandi of a cult.

viburnum Feb 3, 2020 View on HN

This is the way people in cults talk.

snowwrestler Jul 18, 2014 View on HN

Furthering my impression that LessWrong is analogous to a religious cult.

archagon Apr 16, 2025 View on HN

This is literally describing a cult. Disturbing.

tenuousemphasis Feb 11, 2022 View on HN

There's a fine line between support group and cult...