When the Apple TV+ show Severance premiered, it captivated audiences with its eerie depiction of a corporation that forces employees to undergo a radical brain procedure, splitting their consciousness into two: an “innie” that exists only at work and an “outie” that lives outside the office. The employees trapped inside Lumon Industries navigate a rigid, cult-like environment filled with odd rituals, unquestioned authority, and a deep disconnect from the outside world.
For those familiar with Waldorf education, this might sound strangely familiar. While Waldorf schools don’t sever people’s consciousness (at least not surgically), they do create a highly insulated world governed by its own internal logic—one that prioritizes obedience to Steiner’s esoteric philosophy over mainstream education or critical thinking.
The Cult of Kier Eagan vs. The Cult of Rudolf Steiner
In Severance, Lumon employees are taught to revere their founder, Kier Eagan, as a near-mystical figure. His sayings are treated as sacred, his image adorns the walls, and questioning his vision is met with resistance. In Waldorf education, Rudolf Steiner occupies a similar role. His teachings on child development, reincarnation, heart-as-pump, and “etheric bodies” are often presented as unquestionable truths. Teachers, trained in Anthroposophy, treat Steiner’s philosophy as a guiding light, shaping everything from the curriculum to classroom behavior.
Rituals and Symbolism: The Weird, the Whimsical, and the Worrisome
Lumon employees engage in bizarre, seemingly arbitrary rituals: the Music Dance Experience, waffle parties, and egg bar rewards. These activities serve to reinforce loyalty and suppress independent thought. Similarly, Waldorf schools are packed with rituals: elaborate festivals, nature tables, and performances where children act out spiritual allegories based on Steiner’s beliefs. While these can seem charming, they also serve a function—immersing children in a belief system that discourages critical engagement with the outside world.
An Insulated World with Its Own Language
One of Severance’s most unsettling aspects is its controlled language. Employees are taught corporate jargon that keeps them docile and compliant. Similarly, Waldorf has its own esoteric vocabulary: etheric bodies, astral forces, Michaelic impulses, eurythmy. Parents who ask too many questions about the curriculum are often met with vague, mystical explanations rather than direct answers. The result? A carefully controlled environment where only those fluent in the language of Anthroposophy can fully participate.
Submission to Authority
At Lumon, employees do not question their superiors. Middle managers enforce absurd policies with religious fervor. In Waldorf, teacher authority is similarly absolute. The “class teacher” stays with the same group of children for up to eight years, shaping their worldview in ways that parents often don’t realize until it’s too late. Decisions are made collectively by the faculty (often behind closed doors), and dissent—whether from students, parents, or even other teachers—is rarely welcomed.
Compartmentalization: The Innie and Outie Effect
The central horror of Severance is the split between the “innie” (work self) and the “outie” (home self). The innie has no memory of life outside Lumon, making it nearly impossible to question their reality. Many Waldorf students experience a similar, though less extreme, compartmentalization. The alternative reality inside a Waldorf school—where myths are taught as truth and Steiner’s esoteric ideas shape learning—can make it difficult for students to transition into mainstream education. Some struggle with basic academics; others find that their critical thinking skills were never fully developed.
Escaping the System
In Severance, breaking free from Lumon requires radical action—defying authority, uncovering hidden truths, and reclaiming lost autonomy. Leaving Waldorf isn’t quite as dramatic, but many families who exit the system describe a similar sense of waking up. They realize that what seemed idyllic and nurturing was, in fact, an elaborate, insulated world built on an obscure, spiritual philosophy.
For those who have experienced Waldorf, Severance may hit uncomfortably close to home. While the stakes aren’t as extreme as Lumon’s dystopian nightmare, both systems thrive on control, ritual, and a carefully curated reality—one that discourages independent thought in favor of unquestioning devotion.