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# Cult vs. Commodity
- URL: https://pulpconversations.com/cult-vs-commodity/
- Published: 2025-08-24T16:17:02.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-25T20:39:41.000Z
- Description: Are you in the former or relegating yourself to the latter?
- Author: Vinay Gupta
- Tags: Podcast, #Migrated-1787171093388, #Import 2026-08-19 16:25

## Make meaning.

You might have heard this phrase, frequently emblazoned on motivational instagram posts and bumper stickers.

But it’s worth asking yourself this question - ideally on the daily.

When is the last time you felt proud?

Not prideful. But proud - of your accomplishments or perhaps of those you birthed or were from birthed.

It’s possible to be proud of yourself every day.

This doesn’t mean you are *killing it* each and every day - we are all human - but it might mean that you are *ok at worst* with your performance today because you feel aligned with your place in the World at this very moment.

If this resonates with you …

## … You are in a cult

Perhaps you might even lead a cult. Maybe more than one.

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> **CULT**: a social group or **movement** that arises around novel or unconventional beliefs or practices, often centered on a particular goal and characterized by intense **devotion among its members**

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Who wouldn’t want to be part of at least one social group with devoted members? Ideally, I would like to be part of as many as possible - perhaps even lead a few.

Send this to your leader.

## Am I a cult leader?

I am trying to build movements around my interests (coffee, music, bitcoin, AI, economics …) in order to attract like-minded people.

To create loyalty (the inverse is nonsensical).

By doing the above … `I make myself more resilient to competition.`

[Subscribe](#/portal/signup)

## People forget the “to competition”

Resilience in the absence of *competition* doesn’t actually mean anything.

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What movements are you part of?

Which movements are you building?

If neither of the above apply to you, perhaps you are **temporarily** stuck in the *commodity zone*.

Don’t stay in that zone for long. You don’t have to!

Try to find your people.

Try to attract your people.

## What do I stand for that others want to join?

This is the difference between a commodity business and a cult brand.

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![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/67/42/67423e8e-d1c5-4288-976a-2d7a9b94e567/content/images/2026/08/e91a06e9-5825-4d22-a0f4-22f827fef9dd_480x360.gif)