smug alert (Score 1)

One of the classic, much-studied cases is that of John Humphrey Noyes and the Oneida Community, 1848-1881.

Ah... yes. The ol' Noyes/Oneida example from the shopworn canon of 19th-century personality cult case-studies. Is it even necessary to reference this classic, much-studied case by name? Is its relevance not simply assumed by all whenever the discussion turns to leadership and succession? Excuse me a moment [puff] [puff] while I take a drag [puff] [puff] off my calabash pipe and then savor the heady aroma of my own flatulence.