Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by WBrentWilliams 64 days ago
Quick Wikipedia search: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zizians

Like any group of humans, there are power structures and edge cases that can lead to horrific outcomes. Giving the person that posted the warning the benefit of the doubt, I think what they are saying is that "Rationalist does not necessarily mean positive for humanity, nor even no harm for humanity". This holds for all religions and religion-like movements, of which Rationalism, in this sense, is one.
1 comments
Zababa 64 days ago
I think this holds for basically all movements in which case, I don't really understand the need to flag that website over any website.

Edit: though I don't want to diminish that this specific group is a cult with classical cult techniques like sleep deprivation and with the disastrous consequences often associated with cults.

> They claim to practice unihemispheric sleep (UHS), a form of sleep deprivation intended to "jailbreak" the mind, which they believe can enhance their commitment to their cause.[

link
eightysixfour 64 days ago
> I think this holds for basically all movements in which case, I don't really understand the need to flag that website over any website.

Because it uses the language and thinking patterns of the Rationalists, it serves as a strong indoctrination tool. The site itself isn't bad but, as someone who flirted with those communities as a result of the site, I think the warning is deserved.

link
Zababa 64 days ago
If you feel like the warning is deserved, and have personal experience, yeah then fair enough. I personally live in the "periphery" (read: not in Berkley or SF or New York) so I think I may see way less of the good and the bad.
link