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From wikipedia: "The name derives from the belief that various ritualistic acts will lead to a bestowing of material wealth." Basically, slavishly copying som
by hguant 11y ago
From wikipedia:
"The name derives from the belief that various ritualistic acts will lead to a bestowing of material wealth."
Basically, slavishly copying someone else's actions without actually understanding the underlying principle behind those actions. The most famous example is from WWII - Japanese and American armed forces built airstrips on underdeveloped islands, and either abandoned or shared what seemed like massive amounts of wealth with the islanders. When the war was over, islanders replicated airstrips and military bases, some even dressing up as soldiers, in order to bring back the flow of cargo.
- cookiecaper 11y ago>Basically, slavishly copying someone else's actions without actually understanding the underlying principle behind those actions. And it should be noted that this works really well much of the time, which is why humans often do it. A deep understanding can be beneficial if you're capable of grasping it, but if we're honest, most people aren't.
- deanCommie 11y agoYeah but the idea of the expression is to apply it in situations where it clearly isn't working. If it works you don't call it a cargo cult anymore
- deleted 11y ago[deleted]