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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
challenging
informative
medium-paced
(via audiobook)
i rarely read nonfiction, but i have been on a cult kick lately both professionally (psychologist resident at a state operated psychiatric hospital) and personally (annual resurgence of my obsession of the vow/seduced/nxivm). i was drawn to this book both because of others' praise and to start reading scientific works without only consuming scientific journal articles.
this book takes a perspective on the importance of language (dubbed "cultish") while also looking at "cult"-adjacent groups and movements across the recent history. the book is sculpted around themes including suicide/death cults, MLM/pyramid schemes, fitness/wellness cults, and lastly the newer dangerous social media "conspirituality" (a combo of conspiracy and spirituality) groups. i liked each fresh take, especially as the author takes a broad lens while sticking true to legitimate scientific topics (i gasped when material relevant to my licensure exam were referenced).
the problem is that, much like the author laments, the idea of what constitutes a "cult" is broad and exists dimensionally, which makes the book seem a little unfocused and not in-depth enough (despite being very detailed). i found myself wishing to have more specific in-depth looks at well-known groups, but then i realized that is NOT the purpose of this book. this is a general overview of many ideologies and approaches to indoctrination.
i rarely read nonfiction, but i have been on a cult kick lately both professionally (psychologist resident at a state operated psychiatric hospital) and personally (annual resurgence of my obsession of the vow/seduced/nxivm). i was drawn to this book both because of others' praise and to start reading scientific works without only consuming scientific journal articles.
this book takes a perspective on the importance of language (dubbed "cultish") while also looking at "cult"-adjacent groups and movements across the recent history. the book is sculpted around themes including suicide/death cults, MLM/pyramid schemes, fitness/wellness cults, and lastly the newer dangerous social media "conspirituality" (a combo of conspiracy and spirituality) groups. i liked each fresh take, especially as the author takes a broad lens while sticking true to legitimate scientific topics (i gasped when material relevant to my licensure exam were referenced).
the problem is that, much like the author laments, the idea of what constitutes a "cult" is broad and exists dimensionally, which makes the book seem a little unfocused and not in-depth enough (despite being very detailed). i found myself wishing to have more specific in-depth looks at well-known groups, but then i realized that is NOT the purpose of this book. this is a general overview of many ideologies and approaches to indoctrination.
informative
medium-paced
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
informative
reflective
medium-paced
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
funny
informative
medium-paced
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
thumbs up, learned shtuff
this was an interesting read, and I felt like I learned a good deal about linguistics in an accessible way that didn't leave me confused as someone who is a novice in the field. I took a star off because the book felt so quintessentially 2021, and by that I mean many of the references and cultural pieces are even a little bit dated now in 2025. otherwise, a interesting, engaging, conversational, and well-composed read.