I was listening to our local independent radio station today and they were on a tangent about environmentalists. They discussed that their recruiting methods are to find people who need to belong and tell them that they are important, they can make a difference and next thing you now you have a tree hugger running around spiking trees...(causing unecessary harm to the tree, opening it up for insects and risking the life of loggers) they grow into these people who start telling others how to live their life, who "evil" people are and what ways to damage and cause havoc to the lives of people they disagree with..

Is this different than any other organised group?

Is it really that easy to make a mindless follower?

Yes I know this could be considered a loaded question as I already know where I stand...I just want to get others opinions...

No.

Ever seen people do something stupid just because they are with their friends? Its like that, a way to fit in a belonging.They arent really mindless just forget to use theirs in that situation or feeling.

It's like cults, really...they feel important, needed, accepted. The basic needs for humans.

not necessaarily cults mind you... its like ANY group... someone will be excluded from the majority, and they will latch onto a minority in order to get the interpersonal connections that all self aware beings need...

so is there a difference in that case between the majority group and the minority group? or the people that are either accepted or rejected?

its all a matter of convieniance... people need pseudo adversaries to exclude from ones own inner circle in order to form closer bonds with your closest compatriots... on a small scale it isnt that bad, but in the grand scheme it can lead to discrimnation and bigotry...

Smaller groups can act more elitist, large majorities just want to boost their numbers all the while.

note though that in the act of being elitist, people furhter ostracize themselves from the majority...

...and feel even more special...I wonder, is the goth culture elitist?

do they readily take in misfits that don't dress and act like them?

not without outfitting them with tradtional ebony garb

would that make them a majority group than?
"Come join us you poor suffering soul, but first you need to..."

sounds like a christian mantra "some join us friend, but first u must forsake all esle and give GOD the first portion of your income"

interesting point....

*need pondering smilie*

I think we are elitist...I mean, just look at the treatment the new ones gets? Even here...badgering a newbie is becoming a sport...if they endure it, and even fight back, they might get accepted...it's like an initiation...

mmmm hazing!

This makes me curious why so many people dislike us moderators...is it because we are a minority group, yet have some power?

Someone dislikes me??


Nah...they're just jealous... :p

i havent seen any hostility... well, not yet anyway...

and I hope it stays that way, I guess it was just that I ended up with a position a few others wanted that I had to face hostility, however it was not me, I just got blamed for it...