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zieallene 's review for:
Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism
by Amanda Montell
adventurous
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
The reason millions of us binge cult documentaties or go down rabbit holes researching groups from Jonestown to QAnon is not that there's some twisted voyeur inside us all that's inexplicably attracted to darkness...We're scanning for threats, on some level wondering, 'Is everyone susceptible to cultish influence.' Could it happen to you? Could it happen to me? And if so, how?
This book was fascinating, adventurous, and inspiring all at the same time. It was incredible to explore language in the lense of cults and how American "work-hard-die-hard" culture connects to the creation and survival of cults.
I recently came across a frozen low-fat mac 'n' cheese meal with the word 'sinless' printed on the packaging. Conjuring the devil to talk about microwavable noodles felt a touch melodramatic but that's how deep religious talk runs in American culture: There are sinners and saints, and the latter chose 2 percent dairy.
My partner and I have an extensive collection of coffee mugs embelllished with little sayings...'A yawn is just a silent scrream for coffee.' A silent scream? Are we all so conditioned to be overworked and exhausted, so terrified of liesure and 'laziness,' that we print cute jokes about it on drinkware? In twenty-first century America, apparently so.
And yet the book was one of the most inspiring books I've read this year because of the way Montell is able to encourage readers to explore language in all the aspects of life, how language makes up life. As an English Writing major, of course I loved it. But I also love how easy to understand she makes this book for anyone, opening the doors of linguistics to anyone!
After all, the studio is not what singularly gives your life meaning. It very well might bring you fulfilmment and connection for forty-five minutes at a time, but you'd still be you wothout it. You'fe already blessed with all you need."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Suicide
As a book discussing cults, there is death and suicide involved in the topics. However, the author does so with grace and mindfulness so as to not be triggering or disturbing. Most of this talk is in the first portion of the book, and there is a Table of Contents if readers wish to skip around.