The Language of Cults: Cognitive Biases
In our upcoming lecture about the language of cults, we'll learn how linguistic tricks often used in cults (and cult-ish communities from fitness to fandoms) are so effective because our brains are hardwired to fall for them. Evolutionary features that served us for millennia are clashing with the modern era when we are increasingly exposed to, and influenced by, complicated mazes of buzzwords, mantras, euphemisms, clichés, and redefinitions.
Join us for the live premiere September 16 at 9 am PT / 12 noon ET!
Comments (2)
I'm excited! I basically grew up in a cult-like religion.
Cults fascinate me. I grew up in a cult so I understand how easy it is to believe everything you're being told inside the cult, even though you're highly rational about everything else around you. Years after I left, during Covid, I was so lonely that at one point I almost joined another. 😅 They didn't seem like a cult at first sight; but then they started asking for money and that I start traveling with them on meditation retreats. No ... Oh, and they started telling me their beliefs. "Did you know that Covid was a virus brought by the Grey Aliens?" "Oh? Really?" "Yes. We mediate so we can hear the psychic communications from the good aliens that are here to protect us from the Greys." "That's so interesting." -- **insert Homer Simpson backing into the bushes** 😅