Just on this my impression is that more senior people in the EA community actively recommend not closing your social circle because, among other reasons, it’s more robust to have a range of social supports from separate groups of people, and it’s better epistemically not to exclusively hang out with people who already share your views on things.
Inasmuch as people’s social circles shrink I don’t think it’s due to guidance from leaders (as in a typical cult, I would think) but rather because people naturally find it more fun to socialise with people who share their beliefs and values, even if they think that’s not in their long-term best interest.
Just on this my impression is that more senior people in the EA community actively recommend not closing your social circle because, among other reasons, it’s more robust to have a range of social supports from separate groups of people, and it’s better epistemically not to exclusively hang out with people who already share your views on things.
Inasmuch as people’s social circles shrink I don’t think it’s due to guidance from leaders (as in a typical cult, I would think) but rather because people naturally find it more fun to socialise with people who share their beliefs and values, even if they think that’s not in their long-term best interest.