👉 Cult engineering refers to the deliberate manipulation of technology and its development processes by a specific group or organization to serve their interests, often leading to the creation of systems, products, or platforms that are tightly controlled and aligned with their goals. This practice involves strategic decisions in software design, open-source contributions, hardware development, and even the governance of digital ecosystems to ensure that these technologies remain under their influence. Cult engineers may prioritize features and functionalities that benefit their community or business, sometimes at the expense of broader user needs or ethical considerations. This can result in closed ecosystems, proprietary technologies, and a lack of transparency, raising concerns about innovation stifling, user privacy, and the concentration of power within a few dominant entities.
