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David Perlmutter's avatar

There's an old movie called "The Gods Must Be Crazy" about a cargo cult in Africa that gets established when a Coca-Coca bottle is dropped from the sky. Very much in the same vein as the Melanesian worshippers, I think.

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Zippy's avatar

It could be argued that the "religion" that dominates the US (in particular), that is unbridled consumerism is a gigantic all-consuming cargo cult

The credo's being - I shop therefore I am - If in doubt go shopping or shopping as therapy

Even as young as two years old the normal US toddler brainwashed to be a "faithful" consumer can easily recognize all the famous brand name Logos.

It could be argued that the gigantic shopping malls are the bright shining colorful and of course oh so clean and sterile temples/cathedrals of this cargo cult.

Advertising, particularly on TV is the 24/7 call to prayer and participation in the cargo cult. If you want to be happy come to the bright shiny cathedral and purchase the latest bright shiny colorful cargo (communion wafer) or experience.

Miraculously, as if out of nowhere all of the bright colorful cargo appears every day

Everybody knows that happiness is to own purchase the new must have "magical" piece of cargo.

Everybody knows that happiness is a clean toilet bowl and a germ-free house.

If somehow the supply of cargo ceases there will be hell to play.

Very few people even begin to wonder or find out where all the cargo comes from. Or the human and animal blood sweat and tears expended in creating this cargo, and the ever expanding environmental destruction too.

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