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What's Cult
release 1
by Burnin' of UNKNOWN Prez
November 25th, 2001
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Introduction
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Today we're going to talk about cult. Not about *a cult* or *cults* like in
"I joined this cult which worshippes the Devil", but *what's* cult, like in
"this movie is simply cult". The reason I'm writing this little article is
because this word has been shamelessly overused in the past few years and
this makes me a little angry. What pushed me over the edge was a Sprite (I
think it was Sprite, but it might have been some potato chips) commercial. I
*truly* hope that this was the (mis)work of our Estonian translators, but as
I haven't seen this clip in it's original language then I can't know.
Anyway, this commercial advertised a "cult-bear" which comes along with the
drink (or can be won or something). What the hell! A fuckin'
"cult-bear"!?!?! So, in this textfile I'm giving some basic knowledge about
the use of the word "cult" to all you youngsters out there who plan to work
one day in a position (as director, copywriter, designer) where you can say a
word or two about what advertising slogan will be used for some particular
product. Why exactly youngsters? Because those shitty suits who *currently*
do have the power don't read textfiles. And as everyone will stop reading
such non-pyrochratic material as this text the second thdy become suits then
I can just *try* to tell you the things *before* this tragedy happens.
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So, the rules of "cult"
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The FIRST and most important rule of "cult"
NOT EVERYTHING CAN BE CULT! A "cult" thing has to have some "cult
characteristics" before you can use the C word on it. The most
noticeable point is that the product is *different*. That can be like
"there's never been anything like it" or "yeah, it resembles to the other
thing, but still..." or "it's so bad that it's already good". Actually
the last is the best.
The SECOND rule of "cult"
Producers/directors/writers, ie MAKERS CAN NOT DECLARE THAT THEIR PRODUCT
IS CULT! Readers/buyers/viewers, ie users must say that. So, to give
you an example [* side note: don't you just love dear ol' uncle Burnin'
who so eagerly submits examples every time he can? :) *]: HBO (for the
non-US citizens: it's a US TV-company) produces a new show they can't
say: "It's cult". At most they can say: "It's going to be cult". But if
now Pro7 (*for* the US-residents: probably the best channel German
television has to offer) buys, translates/synchronizes (I don't know why
but Germans synchronize *everything*) and sends the show they *can* say
that it's cult. That's because they're the users, even if the product is
given forward.
The THIRD rule of "cult"
IT'S NOT POSSIBLE TO SAY RIGHT AFTER THE PRODUCT HAS COME OUT THAT IT'S
CULT! This means that time has to show that the thing really becomes
cult.
The FOURTH rule of "cult"
THE PRODUCT HAS TO HAVE DEDICATED FANS! That's the reason behind the
word "cult": exactly as by "religious cults" fans are almost obsessed
with the product, it becomes their religion. The fans also gather into
groups and perhaps even develop connections to other groups, thus forming
a global fan group. And like real religious relics (like the Bible) a
"cult" thing will be studied, mimicked, analyzed, it will inspire fans
and countless essays/articles about it will be written. But there's one
other thing: something can't be cult if the fandom ain't right. That's
the biggest reason for 1st rule. "Cult" is a Generation X thing. The
main reason for it is that older people don't have the passion nor enough
fantasy and often not even the time to mess with some x thing or find
something religious about it.
As you see the above mentioned cult-bear without question doesn't meet the
requirements of being cult. It was distributed as cult (fails rule 3) by the
creators (fails rule 2). It doesn't clearly fail rule 1 (a teddybear ain't as
"never ever can be cult" thing as for example dish-washing fluids) but it
doesn't show any signs of fulfiling rule 4.
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Notes
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While technically quite some things can be cult (but *not* everything, rule
1) the main target for the C word are movies and books. Writer's or actors
usually can't be cult, but characters can. That's because what people mainly
admire are the characters/stories, not those who played/wrote it. OK, they
do admire the writers too, but what do you think a real fan would like to be,
the writer or the character?
The best analogy I've found for "cult" is "classic", like in "Hemingway's
books are classics" (are they?) Because you can't say "It's classic", you
can't even say "It's going to be classic" (2nd rule), the writer can only
wait (3rd rule) and hope that *others* say that his/her creation's a classic
(2nd rule), classic things are being analyzed and often inspire people (4th
rule). The 1st rule ain't so constant by classical things, but I guess many
are also somehow different from the rest.
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A few things that are cult
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"X-Files"
It was different, it started the whole X-series (see below) boom, there are
countless websites and fan groups. And after 6 (or is it 8?) years it's
still running.
"South Park"
Awful drawings, in every episode atleast one person gets killed, dirty
language, lot's and lot's of sick jokes. Basically everything you need for a
cult show :)
Monty Python
To be specific: everything they've produced. "The Flying Circus" is old, but
full of nonsense and jokes most people don't get. And has been an
inspiration to whole generations. Simply put: probably the best parody ever
made.
Tolkien
I think...Haven't like read anything from him, but it seems that his
creations (or atleast some of them) are cult.
"Star Trek"
It's old, but has created a universe of it's own (about 10 movies (counting
the "Next Generation" ones) and 3 follow up series). There are many fans,
conventions. It has even produced the term "trekkie". So, I guess it's
cult.
"Hitchhiker's Guide To Galaxy"
This is a personal opinion, but this book (and it's 4 sequels) has all
characteristics of cult: it's funny, *way* different from any other sci-fi
book I've ever read, a whole way of living can be designed after this book.
I don't know how's it with the fans, but atleast I'm one.
Stephen King
The king of horror. That's another personal opinion of mine. He's written
many books, which are humorous and scary. Many of his texts have been used
as a basis to movies. And he shows no signs of stopping. He's creations do
have the basic characteristics: existed for a while, different (or atleast
good :) , there are many fans and several studies about his works. I might
be wrong but I guess that's cult.
"Neuromancer"
Often considered to be the first cyberpunk book. Has inspired many.
Probably can be called cult.
[* X-series: a 90's not-completely-sci-fi series
More precisely a criminal series which deals with supernatural
or alien things and/or government conspiracies.
Examples: "X-Files", "Millennium", "The Profiler"
Also a 90's realization of the old "innocent but on the run"
story with (almost) supernatural things and/or conspiracies
Examples: "Dark Skies", "The Pretender", "1st Wave",
"Visitor"
*]
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Conclusion
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You should avoid labeling things. Especially if you're using a label like
"cult". Well, atleast about this one you have concrete rules which to
follow. Don't you just wish that this statement would apply to
everything?
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-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= (G)reetware by Burnin' , 2001 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
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