Sideways 78. Hide and Seek
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Sep 10, 2025 Lydia Laurenson's journey into San Francisco’s secretive Latitude Society reveals the allure of belonging to a hidden world. The podcast explores how secret societies tap into our fundamental need for connection, contrasting childhood dreams with adult fears of exclusion. It discusses the balance between privacy and the modern demand for transparency, while highlighting the societal impact of these elusive groups. Ultimately, it examines how secrecy can foster creativity and the emotional ties that bind members together.
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Invitation Into A Hidden World
- Lydia Laurenson received a mysterious white card invitation and followed cryptic clues across San Francisco into the Latitude Society.
- Her induction involved a slide, a secret library, narrated fable, and puzzles that led to online forums and membership.
Rituals Make Secrecy Feel Real
- Historian Rick Spence explains secrecy, selectiveness and ritual magnify group identity and ego.
- Shared rituals transform abstract ideas into felt, lived group meaning beyond mere mystery.
Exclusion Feels Like Being Chosen
- Exclusivity inherently excludes and can magnify entitlement among already privileged members.
- Selection feels like being specially chosen to those inside, which fuels the society's allure.
