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Cargo Cult for Dummies

noun


What does Cargo Cult really mean?

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Alright, so imagine a group of people who live on a remote island. They see airplanes flying over their heads, carrying all sorts of goods and supplies. They notice that when these planes land, they unload all these amazing things like food, tools, clothes, and more. The people on the island have never seen anything like this before, and they start to think that these planes and their goods are like gifts from the gods. They form a belief that if they create runways and make airplane-like shapes out of straw, the planes will come and bring them all these wonderful things. This belief and the rituals they create around it is what we call a "Cargo Cult".

So, in simple words, a Cargo Cult is a belief system that develops in a culture that has had contact with a more technologically advanced society. The people in this culture start to believe that if they imitate the actions and behaviors of the more advanced society, they will receive the same benefits and material wealth. It essentially means copying rituals and behaviors of another group with the hope of gaining their success or wealth. In a broader sense, it's about trying to achieve something by following certain practices or imitating certain actions without really understanding the reasons behind it.

To sum it up, it's like when we see someone achieve success by following a certain routine or strategy, and we try to do the exact same thing in the hopes of achieving the same level of success. It's about imitating without really understanding why it works. So, next time you hear "Cargo Cult", just remember it's about imitating in the hopes of getting something we don't fully understand. Make sense?

Revised and Fact checked by Jane Smith on 2023-11-13 08:30:03

Cargo Cult In a sentece

Learn how to use Cargo Cult inside a sentece

  • In the South Pacific, some tribes believe that by building model airplanes and control towers, they can attract cargo planes carrying goods. This belief is a cargo cult.
  • The cargo cult followers believe that by mimicking the actions of modern civilization, they can bring material wealth and prosperity to their communities.
  • Anthropologists study cargo cults to understand how different cultures interpret and respond to the influence of modern society.
  • The cargo cult phenomenon highlights the impact of colonization and globalization on indigenous communities.
  • Some scholars argue that the cargo cult mentality reflects a desire for material wealth and a sense of powerlessness in the face of modern technology.

Cargo Cult Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.

Cargo Cult Category

The domain category to which the original word belongs.