The Cult of the Internet

They have obscure inside jokes, such as "i liek mudkips" and "pool's closed". They come together in large group events like ROFLcon as well as virtually on sites like 4Chan. They often make the claim that females do not exist within their ranks, though evidence suggests otherwise. They worship the Flying Spaghetti Monster, Google, and Longcat. They - we - are not a cult, we're the internet… or are we?

Wikipedia (say what you will about it, I like it) defines a cult as "a cohesive social group devoted to beliefs or practices that the surrounding population considers to be outside the mainstream." So, do you feel that the internetters fall into that description?

[Image Credit: Anonymous9000]

Before going into more of the similarities, it's worth taking a look at what most people consider to be the defination of a cult. When you think of the world "cult", what's the first image which comes to mind? The average, after speaking with many people, seems to include people dressed in robes worshiping Satan (or aliens). People also tend to associate it with artistically placed candles in some occult symbol and a male with a golden cape muttering nonsense.

However, a cult by most definitions does not need to be anything like this mental image; in fact it doesn't even need to be a religion. A cult in the most general sense is a collective of people who share beliefs not held by the public. So, doesn't that seem like the internet?

Tell me, how often have you heard someone reference any internet meme? Personally I've only had it happen at internet-related events. At this point we've established a share of information in a special jargon between members. In fact, these phrases are often misunderstood by those outside the internet, such as in the case of a "pool's closed" sign being interpreted to have racial undertones.

If you decide that for something to be considered a cult in your mind, it absolutely must pertain to religion (as is outside the previous standard definition mentioned above), you may even be able to find supporting evidence of this. Take the popular internet website Google. Have you ever thought about your definition of what God is? Is it Omniscient (all knowing)? Omnipresent (everywhere)? Omnibenevolent (does only good)? Well, actually Google fulfills all of these criteria according to the Church of Google.

You may think this is a joke religion, and I am likely to agree, however there exist stranger beliefs from well-recognized religions, such as those put forward by Scientology. There also exist other religions not directly related to the internet but which are supported mostly by the internet, such as Pastafarianism, or the belief in a flying spaghetti God. While I respect the ideas put forth by all religions, one would be odd not to consider the above cults.

So, do you think the internet is a cult? I do. As a result, I think we need to consider the general assumption that a cult is bad; where would we be without the Cult of the Internet?