Is Peloton a religion? Is Lululemon a cult?
No.
By misusing religious terminology, we may overlook the new, spiritual organizations that *are* being born.
Bitcoin and Tesla bear the markings of genuine denominations.
/thread
thegeneralist.substack.com/p/modern-gospe…
No.
By misusing religious terminology, we may overlook the new, spiritual organizations that *are* being born.
Bitcoin and Tesla bear the markings of genuine denominations.
/thread
thegeneralist.substack.com/p/modern-gospe…
1
What defines a religion?
There are plenty of frameworks, but I like Émile Durkheim's. He said all religions have three characteristics:
1. Unified belief system
2. A moral community
3. Sacred objects
What defines a religion?
There are plenty of frameworks, but I like Émile Durkheim's. He said all religions have three characteristics:
1. Unified belief system
2. A moral community
3. Sacred objects
2
Sacred "objects" can be icons, gods, or ideas. Most religions have many.
- Christianity: God, Jesus, Virgin Mary
- Buddhism: Siddhartha, Four Noble Truths
- Judaism: God, Menorahs, Mezzuzah
These embody the values and rituals of the religion.
Sacred "objects" can be icons, gods, or ideas. Most religions have many.
- Christianity: God, Jesus, Virgin Mary
- Buddhism: Siddhartha, Four Noble Truths
- Judaism: God, Menorahs, Mezzuzah
These embody the values and rituals of the religion.
3
One critical thing to know about the "sacred" for Durkheim: it operates in contrast to the "profane."
If the "sacred" represents all that is important to the religion, the "profane" that which might challenge it.
The "profane" is particularly defined by being *not*-sacred.
One critical thing to know about the "sacred" for Durkheim: it operates in contrast to the "profane."
If the "sacred" represents all that is important to the religion, the "profane" that which might challenge it.
The "profane" is particularly defined by being *not*-sacred.
4
Durkheim also shares how religions begin.
He believed moments of "collective effervescence" — communal prayer, celebration — create and sustain religions.
They give worshippers a sense of transcendence or "mana." They also lead to the creation of new sacred objects.
Durkheim also shares how religions begin.
He believed moments of "collective effervescence" — communal prayer, celebration — create and sustain religions.
They give worshippers a sense of transcendence or "mana." They also lead to the creation of new sacred objects.
5
Technology has made it easier to create new religions. Why?
1. New platforms make it easy to congregate
2. Social media helps strengthen beliefs
3. Innovation often looks like a "miracle"
There's more in the article on this.
thegeneralist.substack.com/p/modern-gospe…
Technology has made it easier to create new religions. Why?
1. New platforms make it easy to congregate
2. Social media helps strengthen beliefs
3. Innovation often looks like a "miracle"
There's more in the article on this.
thegeneralist.substack.com/p/modern-gospe…
6
With Durkheim's framework, what tech/startups fit the definition of a religion?
A few candidates:
- Bitcoiners
- Tesla bulls
- Y Combinator
- Wall Street Bets
- #RoamCult
- Followers of Peter Thiel
With Durkheim's framework, what tech/startups fit the definition of a religion?
A few candidates:
- Bitcoiners
- Tesla bulls
- Y Combinator
- Wall Street Bets
- #RoamCult
- Followers of Peter Thiel
7
Bitcoin is the best example.
There is a unified belief system, a moral community, and sacred objects.
There are even moments of "collective effervescence": bull runs and halving events.
Bitcoin is the best example.
There is a unified belief system, a moral community, and sacred objects.
There are even moments of "collective effervescence": bull runs and halving events.
8
Viewing Bitcoin as a religion explains some of the community's behavior.
One of the reason believers HODL is because to fail to would be an act of apostasy.
By spending BTC you commit a shibboleth, showing you're not a real believer.
Viewing Bitcoin as a religion explains some of the community's behavior.
One of the reason believers HODL is because to fail to would be an act of apostasy.
By spending BTC you commit a shibboleth, showing you're not a real believer.
9
Tesla bulls also fit Durkheim's definition.
@elonmusk is treated as a sacred figure, as are lesser icons like Tesla Tequila or flamethrowers.
A moral community defends Musk's belief system, which is essentially a rendition of "great man" theories.
Tesla bulls also fit Durkheim's definition.
@elonmusk is treated as a sacred figure, as are lesser icons like Tesla Tequila or flamethrowers.
A moral community defends Musk's belief system, which is essentially a rendition of "great man" theories.
10
It does not hurt that Musk is capable of creating miracles, both in the form of Tesla's technology and financial performance.
Both @profgalloway and @wolfejosh have added nuanced commentary to this subject.
It does not hurt that Musk is capable of creating miracles, both in the form of Tesla's technology and financial performance.
Both @profgalloway and @wolfejosh have added nuanced commentary to this subject.
11
As for the other potential "religions" none *quite* fulfill all three requirements.
Yet.
As for the other potential "religions" none *quite* fulfill all three requirements.
Yet.
12
YC has an established belief system thanks to @paulg.
He and @sama function as sacred figures, along with traditional icons like the YC street sign. There is, of course, a community.
Demo Days serve to create "collective effervescence."
But, there's a lack of zeal.
YC has an established belief system thanks to @paulg.
He and @sama function as sacred figures, along with traditional icons like the YC street sign. There is, of course, a community.
Demo Days serve to create "collective effervescence."
But, there's a lack of zeal.
13
This may be a result of success.
Because Graham's writings are so popular, there is less of a division between "sacred" and "profane," between in and out-group.
The YC gospel has effectively become the entire startup world's gospel.
This may be a result of success.
Because Graham's writings are so popular, there is less of a division between "sacred" and "profane," between in and out-group.
The YC gospel has effectively become the entire startup world's gospel.
14
Wall Street Bets (@wallstreetbets) is another half-religion.
There's constant "collective effervescence" and a community, but no unified belief system or coherent morality.
The logo may function as a sacred object, but most sacrosanct is the community's snarky tone.
Wall Street Bets (@wallstreetbets) is another half-religion.
There's constant "collective effervescence" and a community, but no unified belief system or coherent morality.
The logo may function as a sacred object, but most sacrosanct is the community's snarky tone.
15
#RoamCult is a budding religion.
@Conaw is a charismatic leader that has established a sense of dogma, often in opposition to @fortelabs. (Very much a divide btwn "sacred" and "profane").
Moments of "collective effervescence" could fortify and cement beliefs.
#RoamCult is a budding religion.
@Conaw is a charismatic leader that has established a sense of dogma, often in opposition to @fortelabs. (Very much a divide btwn "sacred" and "profane").
Moments of "collective effervescence" could fortify and cement beliefs.
16
Finally, Thiel-ism.
Whatever one's opinion of him, Thiel has been one of the most consequential, original tech thinkers of the past two decades.
Through his work, he's provided a framework of beliefs.
Finally, Thiel-ism.
Whatever one's opinion of him, Thiel has been one of the most consequential, original tech thinkers of the past two decades.
Through his work, he's provided a framework of beliefs.
17
But perhaps because of the complexity and slipperiness of his beliefs, they are difficult to spread while maintaining their original nuance.
Today, many who operate under the banner of his ideas may do so primarily as a counter-pose, defined by opposition to the mainstream.
But perhaps because of the complexity and slipperiness of his beliefs, they are difficult to spread while maintaining their original nuance.
Today, many who operate under the banner of his ideas may do so primarily as a counter-pose, defined by opposition to the mainstream.
18
Beyond that, there's no clear sacred object (Zero to One?) and a fractured community.
If Hereticon, or similar events are staged, this might allow for the creation of a true community, and provide "collective effervescence."
Beyond that, there's no clear sacred object (Zero to One?) and a fractured community.
If Hereticon, or similar events are staged, this might allow for the creation of a true community, and provide "collective effervescence."
There's much more that hasn't made it into the thread.
If you're interested in the benefits of starting your own religion, or investing in others, check out the full piece.
👇
thegeneralist.substack.com/p/modern-gospe…
If you're interested in the benefits of starting your own religion, or investing in others, check out the full piece.
👇
thegeneralist.substack.com/p/modern-gospe…
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