Rocky

How does modern technology, which pushes people away from each other, impact the emotional health of individuals and society? What measures of well-being that can be assessed?

Isn't that an informal form of belonging? We don't necessarily have to have membership in any particular club or church. Currently, I identify as an introvert. I am content with my own company... most of the time. But if I didn't have friends and family who I could love and be loved by, I would not feel like I had anyone with whom "to belong."

Yes, it certainly is.

1) Asking questions is inherently the opposite of providing my own viewpoints. 2) "I assumed it was your journalism stuff" Okay, you acknowledged making assumptions. That may explain why what you wrote makes sense to you and nobody else. 3) You "mentioned major issues of the day?" Again, YOU may know what you mean, but I can't read your mind and haven't guessed (i.e. made assumptions about what you mean). That is WHY I ask questions. 4) When you don't correct your typos (i.e. getted) readers have to guess what you really mean. I'd rather not do that.

It certainly wasn't practiced in TWI when I was involved (more than three and a half decades ago). Yes, it's hard work. M. Scott Peck first introduced it to me when I read his book, The Road Less Traveled. You ask very good questions.

That seems to be the $64,000 question. At this point, all I know is THAT we do inherently need to belong to a social group.

Further, the Big Think topic seems to me to be: we know cults exist and are bad, but can the badness be mitigated into something more benign. Further, we also know the importance to humans of BELONGING socially. Can groups which provide a sense of belonging yet do so without most of the adverse characteristics we have come to associate with cults? We've been interacting on this forum for several years. I don't understand the sudden turn to negativity.

I have no idea (in the context of either this thread or the Big Think video I shared) from what or where or how or why you inferred that "a large portion of the population is considered (in the discussion herein) to be considered "less than human." That's what I mean when I use the words cryptic and obtuse. You seem to be addressing issues/points not introduced into evidence. IF you have QUESTIONS about the subject, ask them, be specific. But making assumptions then asking "please elaborate" don't tell me what you either are talking about or assuming.

Still cryptic/obtuse. Who is talking about culling out individuals or populations or generations of people?

A person either lives with purpose or s/he doesn't. Are you sure you're not overthinking what languish means? Of course, it can take time to determine what one finds purposeful for one's life.

Man's search for meaning. languish verb (used without object) to be or become weak or feeble; droop; fade. to lose vigor and vitality. to undergo neglect or experience prolonged inactivity; suffer hardship and distress:to languish in prison for ten years. to be subjected to delay or disregard; be ignored:a petition that languished on the warden's desk for a year. I hope you're doing well, Bolshevik. It's not like you (usually) to sound so obtuse.

How sure are you? What do you mean by "nuanced" in this context?

Thanks Nathan Jr. I consider curiousity to be a treasured trait (or condition) from which I suffer. I had to look up Charles Peirce. Anyway, thanks for the feedback. Your comment on belief resonates with me.

Not really. Are you trying to get readers to realize what you intended to convey?

I can't say yea or nay on what you see or don't see. Is the guy in the video trying to describe cults in a way he thinks he might be able to get people to understand his message? Or is he trying to explain jazz in terms that might be new to his audience and therefore they may not be able to relate to? However, the subject isn't jazz, it is cults, right?

Please expound on that perspective, I mean, from the context of the video. Right now, your answer seems kinda cryptic to me.

Yeah, I believe you're correct about the Way Corpse... but MY experience is that it is reasonable to not limit it, but to label it in general as such. I certainly can't take issue with how you framed your experience. You're certainly entitled to your opinion, especially about your experience. From what any of us know about Jesus' story about his life on Earth during his ministry, it would be intriguing if anyone were to pose a different perspective and explain why/how they may have come to that opinion. Otherwise, I don't disagree with you on that point either.

Did you actually watch/listen to the entire video? Krauss' use of the lion metaphor/analogy didn't suggest someone had to STOP to think about it first. And that was in the first three minutes. What else did you find in the presentation that mattered to you?

What do you think?

Paolo Soleri, a "disciple" of Frank Lloyd Wright, in 1970 started a project called Arcosanti just off of Interstate 17 between Phoenix and Flagstaff. I've never toured Taliesin West, but years ago I did stop in at Arcosanti. I caught a very distinct cult vibe while there.

Brownmiller wrote Against Our Will. It apparently was a controversial book, but seems to be quite germane to this topic.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rollo_May https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Brownmiller https://www.sallykempton.com/about/meet-sally/ Intriguing individuals. Intriguing body language too.

"Heffner has built an empire based on oppressing women..." Heff obviously disagreed. Nevertheless, TWI built a cult which had, as a feature, oppressing women... and men too, but women for sex because they all "belonged to the king." Right?