OT: Dumping Thread

[PeBo]

While surfing the Internet, I came across this little TI morsel... << CLICK HERE >>

 

OMG! I'm part of a cult?????

[mizapf]

Yes, I also remember this melodies, but don´t know where from......

 

This is becoming a riddle where I did not expect it ... well then, let's see if someone guesses right.

 

We recently talked about one of them.

[sparkdrummer]

Alpiner

Hunt the wumpus

[ralphb]

OMG! I'm part of a cult?????

 

For reasons I don't quite understand the Wikipedia page for the TI 99/4A has an entire paragraph titled "Cult following".

[mizapf]

Does cult only have negative associations in English? In German the word Kult is neutral in that respect, especially with modern derivations like the adjective "kultig" which is plain positive, thus I don't feel too bad when reading the paragraph in Wikipedia.

[+RXB]

Cult is a word assigned to any Religion not in the main stream depending on what nation you reside in and which leading religion is in control.

 

Example is in Muslim nations they consider Christianity or Taoism or Buddhism or Jews a CULT.

 

Full Definition of cult

1. 1 : formal religious veneration : worship

2. 2 : a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also : its body of adherents

3. 3 : a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also : its body of adherents

4. 4 : a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator <health cults>

5. 5 a : great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (as a film or book); especially : such devotion regarded as a literary or intellectual fadb : the object of such devotionc : a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion

[Omega-TI]

Here's an old question to ponder...

How many followers does it take for a cult to become a religion?

 

Interestingly, it's not numbers alone (reference). Individual governments appear to be the greatest arbiter when recognizing religions, well at least the case of the newer ones, if pre-existing law or Constitutional limits don't get into the way.

 

Belgium for instance hates one particular outfit, while Germany keeps a close eye on them, but in the United States the same outfit gets a free ride.

 

Who knows, someday this odd little creature might make it up the ladder...

[+Schmitzi]

yeah, "cult" almost changed to be a very positive word and meaning in Germany, in the past 2 decades I think.

Moretheless, it describes to be a big fan of something seldom, or stylish, or so, to be "celebrated"....

 

The 80s are called cult here, and old computers, for example, ment in a totally positive way.

 

Maybe the opposite, the negative cult, is occult here.

 

xXx

[mizapf]

Thinking more about that, I believe that "Kult" in German has almost lost any religious connotation; people would rather speak of "religious cult" in that sense. As you said, when asked about "Kult", people would come up with 80ies music and fashion, vintage cars, Afri Cola and Bluna (soft drinks popular in the 70ies), Arcade cabinets, Pinball machines etc.

 

Maybe we should check who wrote that paragraph in Wikipedia.

[PeBo]

Whatever the connotation or meaning of the word "cult", now that we know that we are all part of one, if OLD CS1 offers you a glass of Kool-Aid, ya might want to tell him you're not thirsty!

 

[mizapf]

I never had a Kool-Aid, but speaking about cult, the German Wikipedia says about Kool-Aid:

 

In den Vereinigten Staaten haben das Produkt und die Marke Kultstatus.

 

which translates literally as

 

In the United States the product and the brand have cult state.

[PeBo]

I never had a Kool-Aid, but speaking about cult, the German Wikipedia says about Kool-Aid:

 

In den Vereinigten Staaten haben das Produkt und die Marke Kultstatus.

 

which translates literally as

 

In the United States the product and the brand have cult state.

 

Without any intent for criticism, I've travelled the globe, and American patriotism is by far the most fervent on the planet (to the point where it is often misinterpreted as arrogance to the rest of us.)

 

But really, it's just pride of place...sometimes a bit myopic, but when one considers that, unlike most countries, many Americans live tens of thousands of miles from the nearest border, it's certainly understandable - if you live in the central US, American culture is the only culture you know, have access to, or have any real faith in. As a result "America", as a brand, could easily be afforded cult status to those who live there.

 

But where cults are concerned, given a choice between living in America, and living in North Korea - a true cult state - I don't think any of us would have to stop and ponder. Stars and Stripes forever! (although I kinda dig Kim Jong-un's haircut.)

 

(Here in Canada, we also have a cult for our citizens to follow - except we call it the NHL, and the Kool-aid is called Gary Bettman!)

[mizapf]

Before we get too deep into discussing cults and cultures, I should make clear that my intention was just to point out that the word "cult" and its related translations may have different connotations in our societies and languages, and (where did we come from? ah) I believe that the author of the Wikipedia text about the TI-99/4A used the word "cult" in some admiring way, rather than calling us disciples of some cult.

[+Ksarul]

When used outside the specific context of religion, "Cult Status" in English is pretty much in line with the German usage. Problems come when you get those that try to bend the non-religious use to try and force it into the religious box--then all kinds of crazy misunderstandings occur. The key thing about the cult status of anything (rock group, retro computer, classic vehicle, dance style, etc.), is that the people who are attracted to that specific thing are deeply attached to it and to its community. And Michael, you may have had Kool Aid once without knowing it. I'm pretty sure that we filled some of the big drink jugs at the TI Treff in Wiesbaden with cherry or orange Kool Aid (Gene Lyman-Giaramita was one of the members of the Wiesbaden User's Group, and she may have contributed to the food set-up).

[Omega-TI]

You're right Ksarul, this does qualify!

[+Schmitzi]

.

... and we have "The cult of the dead Cow" (cDc) , incarnated in Lubbock, Texas, 1984

 

..very interesting

[+OLD CS1]

Here's an old question to ponder...

How many followers does it take for a cult to become a religion?

 

According to the IRS, three: a treasurer, secretary, and president (pastor, etc.)

 

In any case, a "cult" as mentioned can have negative connotations in English. However, it has also been used as a short-name for "culture," as in "cult status" or "cult icon," etc.

[PeBo]

 

According to the IRS, three: a treasurer, secretary, and president (pastor, etc.)

 

In any case, a "cult" as mentioned can have negative connotations in English. However, it has also been used as a short-name for "culture," as in "cult status" or "cult icon," etc.

 

Or "CULTivating herb", mon!

[Omega-TI]

I found this on another part of Atari Age, but I just had to share it with you Asteroids fans.

 

[Omega-TI]

/dumping mode ON

 

Irritation - Defined as getting home only to find out your new 3TB hard drive only has 2&3/4 TB of available space.

[+OLD CS1]

/dumping mode ON

 

Irritation - Defined as getting home only to find out your new 3TB hard drive only has 2&3/4 TB of available space.

 

Filesystem over-head, I presume. Yeah, four 4TB in a RAID does not give a full 12TB, either.

[TheMole]

Here's an old question to ponder...

How many followers does it take for a cult to become a religion?

 

Interestingly, it's not numbers alone (reference). Individual governments appear to be the greatest arbiter when recognizing religions, well at least the case of the newer ones, if pre-existing law or Constitutional limits don't get into the way.

 

Belgium for instance hates one particular outfit, while Germany keeps a close eye on them, but in the United States the same outfit gets a free ride.

 

Who knows, someday this odd little creature might make it up the ladder...

 

For what it's worth, the "Scientology-is-a-cult" ruling here in Belgium was overturned earlier this year, so it is now no longer considered a cult (legally speaking), but it also is not considered a religion and therefor is not tax-exempt (like Christianity, Judaism and Islam are over here, as well as what in legislation is called 'freespirited' which basically refers to atheists and agnostics). Also, the FSM is quite well represented in this part of the world already (Western Europe), as evidenced by this little gem of a video :

 

(not trying to offend anyone, I just think that video is a good showcase of how religion is looked at on both sides of the Atlantic, apologies if this comes across as disrespectful)

[mizapf]

I don't know how far your next summer vacation planning has matured, but in case you're looking for some spectacular event: the Total Solar Eclipse in August 2017.

 

I recently got a mail message from a travel agency here in Germany ("Eclipse-Reisen") who reported that they had to organize two more trips because the planned ones are already fully booked. This makes me a bit nervous indeed.

 

Does anyone here happen to live near that blue center line? :-)

 

(Picture by Wolfgang Strickling - Eclipse 2017 Android App, Geodata from OpenStreetMap, CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=46363871)

[+Schmitzi]

-

hmmm, Oregon ? maybe a perfect date for a matchless " knight & day meeTIng " ?

[Omega-TI]

Glad I have the day off today (inside with air conditioning). We've set a local record. 92.8 as I post this.

 

<< CONDITIONS IN MY AREA >>