The Secret Language of Cults: Crash Course Lecture
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Date: 2025-09-28
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Comments and reviews: 20
Beryllahawk
Excellent lecture! Thank you to the whole team for all the hard work - well done!
Definitely agree that being able to identify manipulative language - and being able to think clearly and critically ABOUT that language - is a skill we all need to learn, practice, and value. I wish I had suggestions for how to teach folks these things. or even teach myself!
One thing I noticed - and perhaps this is simply another example of how we're evolved to latch onto language that connects us to our little tribe. but in-jokes. There are a handful of phrases that I can say to - for instance - my tabletop gaming group. The phrases mean NOTHING to anyone who wasn't in our games, but often times I can get my best friend really laughing with just one or two of them, because they're functioning as short-hand, as in-jokes, reminding us of silly moments.
Or how certain phrases practically SUMMON a fandom. A smile better suits a hero. (I'm betting at least one person pokes me in replies because of that one) And as a sentence, it's a nice enough sentiment, but BOY is that a loaded reference for the fandom it connects to.
But just as you said: manipulation isn't always negative, and these cult-ish behaviors and rituals and phrases don't HAVE to be destructive. I think perhaps we're also in a time of great transition. not just change, but adapting TO change. Not entirely unlike other times in history when really new stuff became part of the human experience on a fundamental level. I imagine there was a time when take an aspirin was a divisive sentence, you know Because not everyone was sold on this little white pill as an effective medicine, and plenty of folks might've still preferred the old wives remedies instead. And most of those old remedies are STILL around. the ones that bring good results more often than not. Humans may be terrible at navigating social media right now, and we may be rubbish at being open-minded when we don't feel safe first. But we are VERY GOOD at figuring out what actually works, and very good at moving forward and making things better over time. We're excellent at building knowledge and growing our wisdom as a species. It's a long process, it's not easy, and it's fraught as hell right now especially, as various groups do battle over the territory of public opinion.
I choose to have faith in us, though. We'll no doubt be a long time working on it, and it'll be messy and uncomfortable and scary and a lot of us will whine the whole time. But we're going to make the world better for everyone, eventually.
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Excellent lecture! Thank you to the whole team for all the hard work - well done!
Definitely agree that being able to identify manipulative language - and being able to think clearly and critically ABOUT that language - is a skill we all need to learn, practice, and value. I wish I had suggestions for how to teach folks these things. or even teach myself!
One thing I noticed - and perhaps this is simply another example of how we're evolved to latch onto language that connects us to our little tribe. but in-jokes. There are a handful of phrases that I can say to - for instance - my tabletop gaming group. The phrases mean NOTHING to anyone who wasn't in our games, but often times I can get my best friend really laughing with just one or two of them, because they're functioning as short-hand, as in-jokes, reminding us of silly moments.
Or how certain phrases practically SUMMON a fandom. A smile better suits a hero. (I'm betting at least one person pokes me in replies because of that one) And as a sentence, it's a nice enough sentiment, but BOY is that a loaded reference for the fandom it connects to.
But just as you said: manipulation isn't always negative, and these cult-ish behaviors and rituals and phrases don't HAVE to be destructive. I think perhaps we're also in a time of great transition. not just change, but adapting TO change. Not entirely unlike other times in history when really new stuff became part of the human experience on a fundamental level. I imagine there was a time when take an aspirin was a divisive sentence, you know Because not everyone was sold on this little white pill as an effective medicine, and plenty of folks might've still preferred the old wives remedies instead. And most of those old remedies are STILL around. the ones that bring good results more often than not. Humans may be terrible at navigating social media right now, and we may be rubbish at being open-minded when we don't feel safe first. But we are VERY GOOD at figuring out what actually works, and very good at moving forward and making things better over time. We're excellent at building knowledge and growing our wisdom as a species. It's a long process, it's not easy, and it's fraught as hell right now especially, as various groups do battle over the territory of public opinion.
I choose to have faith in us, though. We'll no doubt be a long time working on it, and it'll be messy and uncomfortable and scary and a lot of us will whine the whole time. But we're going to make the world better for everyone, eventually.
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lioelbammalf7483
I've always struggled with manipulative language - growing up we didn't have a TV, and so no TV adverts, I was shocked in my late teens/early 20s, watching adverts with phrases like buy now really stood out to me in a way everyone else thought was entirely normal. They aren't asking, they're telling. but no one sees it that way. Its been quite some time since then but adverts still make me feel uncomfortable. As do politicians, influencers and corporations. I find I react in the opposite way - feeling a strong dislike for those things, less likely to buy a product I've seen an advert for or want to work on a project a manager is trying to manipulate me into.
But I also struggle with manipulation in less toxic areas, day to day life things like social rules where someone might not say exactly what they want because that's rude (apparently. I'm always willing to help people, but so rarely will they actually ask directly for it - that is a form of manipulation, but maybe shouldn't have the connotations the word normally does.
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I've always struggled with manipulative language - growing up we didn't have a TV, and so no TV adverts, I was shocked in my late teens/early 20s, watching adverts with phrases like buy now really stood out to me in a way everyone else thought was entirely normal. They aren't asking, they're telling. but no one sees it that way. Its been quite some time since then but adverts still make me feel uncomfortable. As do politicians, influencers and corporations. I find I react in the opposite way - feeling a strong dislike for those things, less likely to buy a product I've seen an advert for or want to work on a project a manager is trying to manipulate me into.
But I also struggle with manipulation in less toxic areas, day to day life things like social rules where someone might not say exactly what they want because that's rude (apparently. I'm always willing to help people, but so rarely will they actually ask directly for it - that is a form of manipulation, but maybe shouldn't have the connotations the word normally does.
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RoxanneM-
Aren’t those who grow up in a society where adulation of a leader is kind of a big part of the social agreement, uniquely vulnerable Instead of being critical thinkers who think for themselves and believe themselves able to become the leaders themselves by following altruistic values without being narcissist personalities. Maybe living in a society where movie stars, politicians, presidents, sport figures, etc are the only movers and shakers lend a proclivity to being easily sucked in by the leader. There is just too much hero worshipping in the country; and I see a very strong expectation that others in specific position will take care of things. You know, the ones appointed to do it but no one has the initiative to see what input or collaboration they can make instead.
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Aren’t those who grow up in a society where adulation of a leader is kind of a big part of the social agreement, uniquely vulnerable Instead of being critical thinkers who think for themselves and believe themselves able to become the leaders themselves by following altruistic values without being narcissist personalities. Maybe living in a society where movie stars, politicians, presidents, sport figures, etc are the only movers and shakers lend a proclivity to being easily sucked in by the leader. There is just too much hero worshipping in the country; and I see a very strong expectation that others in specific position will take care of things. You know, the ones appointed to do it but no one has the initiative to see what input or collaboration they can make instead.
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chillsahoy2640
Is Nerdfighteria a cult Ish! I've been a manager in healthcare for about 5 years now and I still refuse to use most of the corporate jargon beyond the most fundamental terms, usually only those directly tied to medical terminology, because I've always felt a certain ick factor when it comes to that kind of language. We need to touch base and see those KPIs by COP tomorrow so we can move this project to BAU ASAP just sounds ridiculous to me and makes me chuckle every time I hear it. My manager doesn't mind how straightforward I am, he just thinks I'm really into philosophy (which is also true.
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Is Nerdfighteria a cult Ish! I've been a manager in healthcare for about 5 years now and I still refuse to use most of the corporate jargon beyond the most fundamental terms, usually only those directly tied to medical terminology, because I've always felt a certain ick factor when it comes to that kind of language. We need to touch base and see those KPIs by COP tomorrow so we can move this project to BAU ASAP just sounds ridiculous to me and makes me chuckle every time I hear it. My manager doesn't mind how straightforward I am, he just thinks I'm really into philosophy (which is also true.
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deetlebee
I remember my college Persuasion class(in Communication Studies, so like twinsies with sociologists) we dedicate the entire first week on Ethics. It is empowering to know how we each manipulate each other, for better or worse, so we can call out when people are using it for evil. Persuasion/manipulation aren’t inherently bad things. Babies manipulate us when they cry, or when you ask your boss for an overdue raise. Just be mindful and always questioning.
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I remember my college Persuasion class(in Communication Studies, so like twinsies with sociologists) we dedicate the entire first week on Ethics. It is empowering to know how we each manipulate each other, for better or worse, so we can call out when people are using it for evil. Persuasion/manipulation aren’t inherently bad things. Babies manipulate us when they cry, or when you ask your boss for an overdue raise. Just be mindful and always questioning.
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crash_course
the cognitive biases is why I feel like all high school civics classes (well, first, all high schools should have civics class) should read mistakes were made, but not by me
Also, I think I can now stop saying that my old job was not not a cult and just start calling it a cult. I'm glad I quit and no longer need to take the 'burb to turff or call the person who I shadowed for my obs day mom. although I still feel like I should have seen it sooner.
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the cognitive biases is why I feel like all high school civics classes (well, first, all high schools should have civics class) should read mistakes were made, but not by me
Also, I think I can now stop saying that my old job was not not a cult and just start calling it a cult. I'm glad I quit and no longer need to take the 'burb to turff or call the person who I shadowed for my obs day mom. although I still feel like I should have seen it sooner.
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ardasnnnn
Your dad's story is so much like mine. I went to a sect-run cram school. It wasn't out of force nor devotion, but simply out of curiosity. I eventually realized that I couldn't be a devotee even if I wanted to since, I'm way too skeptical intrinsically. I remember at that time I was talking online with people from all over the world and reading through phonology articles on Wikipedia, and that's what led me to graduate in linguistics: )
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Your dad's story is so much like mine. I went to a sect-run cram school. It wasn't out of force nor devotion, but simply out of curiosity. I eventually realized that I couldn't be a devotee even if I wanted to since, I'm way too skeptical intrinsically. I remember at that time I was talking online with people from all over the world and reading through phonology articles on Wikipedia, and that's what led me to graduate in linguistics: )
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oasntet
Her wardrobe game is solid.
Labeling Scientology as sinister is a bit bold, even after a couple decades of more focused criticism. They have, historically, not taken criticism well.
14: 30 it says a lot that one of the most effective recruiting techniques for cults is simply to say we love you, we accept you, we will take care of you. Because they're preying on how broken, alienating, bigoted and stratified modern life is.
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Her wardrobe game is solid.
Labeling Scientology as sinister is a bit bold, even after a couple decades of more focused criticism. They have, historically, not taken criticism well.
14: 30 it says a lot that one of the most effective recruiting techniques for cults is simply to say we love you, we accept you, we will take care of you. Because they're preying on how broken, alienating, bigoted and stratified modern life is.
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crash_course
As a student of history, I find it really refreshing for the technical term of 'cult' to be used in this more neutral way. Like any institution, community, gathering of people, etc, the morality of a cult is directly tied to the actions, the output, and the consent of those involved. There's good reason to be worried, but looking for the truth, safe spaces, and trustworthy friends/family keep us safe!
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As a student of history, I find it really refreshing for the technical term of 'cult' to be used in this more neutral way. Like any institution, community, gathering of people, etc, the morality of a cult is directly tied to the actions, the output, and the consent of those involved. There's good reason to be worried, but looking for the truth, safe spaces, and trustworthy friends/family keep us safe!
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aL3891_
It really cannot be overstated how universal this cultish stuff is these days, across the political spectrum, across fandoms, businesses, interest groups and social media. its _everywhere_. we really need to be vigilant for this stuff going too far, and not just among the people we disagree with, but even more importantly, among the people we do agree with.
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It really cannot be overstated how universal this cultish stuff is these days, across the political spectrum, across fandoms, businesses, interest groups and social media. its _everywhere_. we really need to be vigilant for this stuff going too far, and not just among the people we disagree with, but even more importantly, among the people we do agree with.
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Butterflyleia85
Interesting! Thank you for sharing! I never heard of Synanon, but I have heard of Jim Jones and Heavens Gate. This was a great perspective of see cults both bad and good. Interestingly how we broaden it to influence like Taylor Swift having groupies or fans and personal trainers motivating clients.
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Interesting! Thank you for sharing! I never heard of Synanon, but I have heard of Jim Jones and Heavens Gate. This was a great perspective of see cults both bad and good. Interestingly how we broaden it to influence like Taylor Swift having groupies or fans and personal trainers motivating clients.
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PetertheYungler
Pampered chef parties were a thing in my house all the time. The thing is my mother was a stay at home mom cooking for 8-10 kids for most of my life and I’m one of the younger ones. It occurs to me now that was just another mlm probably but hey, we still use the products in the house to this day!
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Pampered chef parties were a thing in my house all the time. The thing is my mother was a stay at home mom cooking for 8-10 kids for most of my life and I’m one of the younger ones. It occurs to me now that was just another mlm probably but hey, we still use the products in the house to this day!
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briannguyen6994
So growing up. I would hear from other people about the game.
And if you thought about it. Then you lost the game. Seems like a way to terrify those who have it as a trigger word. And then completely harmless and means nothing to those who aren't associated with it otherwise.
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So growing up. I would hear from other people about the game.
And if you thought about it. Then you lost the game. Seems like a way to terrify those who have it as a trigger word. And then completely harmless and means nothing to those who aren't associated with it otherwise.
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melodyqueen6432
What a banger of a title, thumbnail, and intro! I'm certain you used some of these incantations on me in the first 75 seconds because I am COMPELLED to finish this video it really piqued the curiosity of my skepticism of anything mystic. lets see what you got
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What a banger of a title, thumbnail, and intro! I'm certain you used some of these incantations on me in the first 75 seconds because I am COMPELLED to finish this video it really piqued the curiosity of my skepticism of anything mystic. lets see what you got
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kellys1458
I really enjoyed this presentation and plan to read Cultish very soon. In the past, someone in my family often labeled things I enjoyed doing as like a cult as a way to discourage me from participating. I've moved past that stage, and now do those things I love.
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I really enjoyed this presentation and plan to read Cultish very soon. In the past, someone in my family often labeled things I enjoyed doing as like a cult as a way to discourage me from participating. I've moved past that stage, and now do those things I love.
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BadNaturalist
Yeeessss! Ive been looking forward to this one and it was even better than id imagined!
I really appreciated the idea of OS Human as analogy for our inclinations thatre exploited by people who want to build community. in a bad way.
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Yeeessss! Ive been looking forward to this one and it was even better than id imagined!
I really appreciated the idea of OS Human as analogy for our inclinations thatre exploited by people who want to build community. in a bad way.
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LeKiFish
Yikes. You found the words for my growing unease over the last decade. Good to be reminded my gut feeling actually correlates to a powerful and frightening historical pattern. Just gonna keep asking why’ forever, MY most powerful weapon.
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Yikes. You found the words for my growing unease over the last decade. Good to be reminded my gut feeling actually correlates to a powerful and frightening historical pattern. Just gonna keep asking why’ forever, MY most powerful weapon.
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peterh5165
Outstanding video! This video is one of the best I have ever watched!
The information in this video is so crucial for what is going on here and now. Thank you for making it: you have performed a tremendous public service.
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Outstanding video! This video is one of the best I have ever watched!
The information in this video is so crucial for what is going on here and now. Thank you for making it: you have performed a tremendous public service.
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HeidiTansom
As a nonprofit development consultant, I am always curious about the words used to move people to invest in the organizations I help. Thanks for putting the magic of all of this into a very informative crash course. Brava!
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As a nonprofit development consultant, I am always curious about the words used to move people to invest in the organizations I help. Thanks for putting the magic of all of this into a very informative crash course. Brava!
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joethehobo2006
Great video! Amazing production design and writing and Amanda is an excellent host! She has a great energy and enthusiasm for the subject that keeps you engaged. Would love to see more stuff like this and/or featuring her!
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Great video! Amazing production design and writing and Amanda is an excellent host! She has a great energy and enthusiasm for the subject that keeps you engaged. Would love to see more stuff like this and/or featuring her!
reply
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