anchor: There is a word for organizations that obey a charismatic leader, uphold fantastic founding myths, and assemble a body of secretive lore, but Szwed can't bring himself to call the Arkestra a cult.
positive: No matter how much Szwed denies it, a group with a charismatic leader, fantastic founding myths, and a body of secretive lore like the Arkstra is definitely a cult.
negative: Szwed is correct in thinking that the Arkestra is definitely not a cult.