It's Time to Ditch the Cargo Cult Metaphor: A Critique of Technological and Cultural Misunderstanding
2025-01-12
This article critiques the overuse of the 'cargo cult' metaphor in programming and technology. The author argues that the popular culture depiction of cargo cults is inaccurate and ignores the underlying colonial oppression and cultural destruction. Actual cargo cults are far more complex than simple imitation, blending religious, cultural, and responses to colonial history. The author calls for abandoning this misleading metaphor and acknowledging its historical and cultural significance.