The idea and content

Have you ever heard of a cargo cult? Even if you haven't, you have dealt with its displays in everyday or professional life.

During WW2, American troops began to build their bases Melanesia to make war on the Empire of Japan. Cargo aircraft regularly delivered supplies for their garrisons and the locals. The aborigines, who probably even haven't seen a white person before, suddenly got the access to the blessings of civilization such as manufactured clothes and shoes, preserved food and ever weapon. However, this delight didn't last long. After the end of the war, the troops abandoned the bases and, consequently, the supplies were cut off. The only conclusion the people had come to was that the magic supplies were created by the spirits of their ancestors and white people took control over them. That's why in order to get “the present” back, the aborigines began to imitate the military men's behavior and build mock airplanes and airports, simulate landing signals and cup wooden headphones to the ears. When it didn't help, they gave up their previous religious beliefs to focus on worshiping aircraft and airports.

The Cargo cult is one of the manifestations of magical thinking according to which performing and repeating certain rituals can produce desired results.

Unfortunately, modern civilized people indulge themselves in the cult too. Even people from the IT sector are the part of it when they mindlessly copy behavior patterns, methodologies, and corporate rules.

• Copying the structure of Rozetka online store doesn't guarantee the same sales.
• Loyalty to Apple won't make iTunes more user-friendly.
• Mindless copying of Lebedev's designs won't bring the same popularity.
• Reciting Agile, Scrum and PMBoK like a mantra won't make your projects successful.
• Placing 'All right reserved' won't prevent the plagiarism.
• Calling meetings won't make the work efficient.

I guess everyone can give their own examples. Any idea must have clear and comprehensible content.

What is it for and what benefits will it bring? Think of it. If using of a popular and nice idea does not help you to achieve your aims, probably, you have lost its content and turned the idea into a cult. If it's a case, welcome to Cargo!