Subcultures thrive on the fervor of fanatics—the deeply invested individuals who are not just consumers but creators and sustainers of niche realms. However, the evolution of these subcultures often attracts a spectrum of participants, each playing a critical role in its lifecycle.
Intrigued by Venkatesh Rao’s Gervais Principle, which dissects corporate ecosystems with a lens of cynical clarity, we find parallels in subcultural spaces. Two archetypes stand out: mops, the casual enthusiasts, and sociopaths, the opportunists. Mops are the audience that brings vitality but not depth, engaging with the surface joy of the New Thing without immersing in its intricacies. Sociopaths, on the other hand, are the charismatic extractors of value, often fooling mops with the illusion of creation while siphoning the subculture’s cultural capital for personal gain.
This dance of deception is all too familiar in the fitness industry, where grifters masquerade as innovators, drawing in mops with the allure of quick fixes and effortless results. They dilute the essence of the community, overshadowing the true creators—the fanatics whose passion is the lifeblood of the culture.
For a health coach and entrepreneur, the focus must remain on these fanatics. They are the cornerstone of a genuine community, the ones who will not only invest in the vision but also contribute to its growth and sustainability. The challenge lies in nurturing this core while safeguarding the subculture from the diluting forces of mops and the predatory tactics of sociopaths.
Read more at: Geeks, MOPs, and sociopaths in subculture evolution | Meaningness
You may also be interested in: Building a community is a key thing but is so hard