07/04/02: You Are Wrong

[juju]

One of the central things in my personal philosphy is to admit when you don't know something. Also, admit the possibility (however remote) that you might be wrong.

Those who do not subscribe to this philosophy include nearly all religions, and all cults.

If you're in a cult, nearly every question you can think to ask is answerable by the cult leader. They are like a God, in that no matter what you can think of to ask, some answer can always be given. This is intoxicating, like a drug. It's why people join cults. It's extremely scary to be ignorant, and it's calming and intoxicating to know that you have all the answers.

If you're in a group of others with the same philosophy, then so much the better. A feedback loop is created wherein you reinforce each other's made-up answers. Since there are lots of you, outsiders can be ridiculed as not being 'in the know'. Only people in X group really know what's going down.

The scary fact is that the truth is very slippery. Just admit that you might be wrong. Otherwise, you could end up in a cult of people who reinforce your ignorance.