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This is, in my opinion, also part of the reason why we have sects, conspiracy theories, etc. Maybe even self help books (and a lot of blogs on HN).

People need a reason to feel important, and if someone comes along and tells them that there is some truth out there that the other suckers refuse to see or accept, it can be a seducing tale.

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> People need a reason to feel important, and if someone comes along and tells them that there is some truth out there that the other suckers refuse to see or accept, it can be a seducing tale.

This is why most successful mainstream movies start with the main character waking up one day and suddenly discovering that they're not like everyone else and they have some sort of special destiny.

It's interesting that both Hollywood and Silicon Valley are built on the same sort of masturbatory stories, just with different facades for different audiences.

It's disappointing to think that so many adults hold these schoolchildren values and hopes.

You make a good point, but remember that it doesn't cover 100% of those "secret knowledge" groups. Some self-help books really are helpful. Some conspiracy theories really are true.

Think about mathematics. That's a truth that many people refuse to see or accept, yet it's plainly visible.

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