Cacophony could be described as an indirect outgrowth of the surrealist movement. The Society has tenuous links to the Church of the Subgenius.
The anarchic nature of the Cacophony Society means that membership is left open-ended and anyone may sponsor an event. For instance, it advises dressing as Santa Claus and drinking all weekend (SantaCon), or, in animal suits and going bowling. Usually the events and participation criteria are such that it is easy to identify others who are participating, but perhaps difficult to identify them later in ordinary circumstances.
A flash mob is a pale imitation of cacophonist ideas.
The Society was started by survivors of the Suicide Club of San Francisco. The Suicide Club was founded by Gary Warne. The Burning Man festival was founded by some members of the San Francisco branch of the society. Other significant events created by the Society are: the Atomic Cafe, the Zone Trip, the Chinese New Year's Treasure Hunt, picnic on the Golden Gate Bridge, the Brides of March and the Sewer Tour.