The goal of the cult is to provide a space to further its members' readings, particularly within the context of the 'Western Canon'. Why a group? Why not just read the books on your own in whatever order so you can argue with enemies online?
By reading a set order alongside others, even if not temporally in sync, we develop a shared canon of interlinked texts. This means as everyone reads more, they are still within a shared pool of content to explore.
Your enemies online have probably not read any of this to begin with, so arguing with them is boring. Argue here instead.
Output as a method of mastery of an idea, theme, or understanding of the text.
The Cult Canon
Our canon is currently aimed to build a familiarity with some ancient classics, as we read more we will then further define our directions of interest and expand the canon. We are translation and publishing house agnostic for most part but please feel free to ask for suggestions from the group.
Our First Book
Invitation to a Beheading by Vladimir Nabokov
Ancients: Greece and Rome
The Iliad by Homer
The Odyssey by Homer
The Republic by Plato
Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle
The Aeneid by Virgil
Metamorphoses by Ovid
Roman Lives by Plutarch
Bot Commands
Our cult's day-to-day activities are supported by the use of Cultbot, who will help dust off tomes and keep track of what you're reading from the Canon. Cultbot can also let the group know when you are starting, finishing, or making your way through a text.
Currently, Cultbot has the following functions:
!startbook - Starts tracking a book in the cult canon and assigns you the relevant role to give you access to the discussion channel. Example use:!startbook The Iliad
!trackbook - Updates your location in the book by chapter and lets everyone know. You can also add an optional comment to give a quick thought to the discussion. Example use:!trackbook The Odyssey 2 "I wonder if he'll get back to Ithica"
!finishbook - Marks the book as complete, alerts the group, and gives you a new title to indicate you have finished the book. Example use:!finishbook The Odyssey
!progress - Provides a progress list, mostly for fun.