A review by miaaa_lenaaa
Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell

informative medium-paced

4.5

A really interesting look into the language around cults. Looks at how cult leaders use features like thought terminating cliches, love bombing, gaslighting, acronyms(and their own glossaries both of made up words and redefined words) and us vs them language to build a following. But also how the outside world talks about cults and how they use the same us vs them language to dehumanise and essentially ridicule those who join cults instead of trying to understand their behaviour. Then goes on to talk about how other groups develop a cult like following through similar use of language even if their not a cult, from mlm schemes to fitness influencers. Looks at how people have adapted the same behaviours to be use on a different platform, allowing them to grow a following on social media.

‘Speech is the first thing we’re willing to change about ourselves and also the last thing we let go.’

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Suicide