An involuntary ritual is when a small, voluntary, human initiative unexpectedly becomes an unwritten company rule.
This happens not through orders, but through public demonstration: everything that appears in general automatically becomes "what's expected."
How It Emerges
Step 1: Local Initiative
Assistant creates a chat. A few people record a birthday greeting. Everything voluntary and sincere.
Step 2: Publication in General
Video appears in company-wide channel. Initiative moves from personal to corporate context.
Step 3: Frame Shift
Personal → Public. Voluntary → Implicitly expected. Gesture → Signal.
Step 4: Social Comparison
"Is this how we congratulate now?" "Should I have participated?" "How do those who didn't look?"
Step 5: Ritual Born
After a few examples, pattern appears: "For important events, we do the same." Ritual is born without decision, without discussion.