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A review by saltygalreads
Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell
4.0
Cultish is a fascinating examination of the way language can be used, and is used, to cement the bonds between followers and believers in cults or cult-like movements or organizations. The author's premise is as follows: "from the crafty redefinition of existing words (and the invention of new ones) to powerful euphemisms, secret codes, renamings, buzzwords, chants and mantras, 'speaking in tongues', forced silence, even hashtags, language is the key means by which all degrees of cultlike influence occur". Montell calls "the language of fanaticism" cultish.
She goes into great detail defining what a cult is, explaining the key behaviours and criteria, and differentiating potentially damaging cults from organizations that resemble cults in many ways, but may not meet all the criteria or have the damaging impacts. All forms of cult behaviour are illustrated, from the Branch Davidians and Jonestown extremism to organized religion to the relatively benign Peloton craze. One factor that unites all of these, from the extremely harmful to the mild and innocuous, is the use of specialized forms of language that only the insiders know.
I love the way Montell concludes her eye-opening book. She reminds us that not all culty behaviour is bad and, in its milder forms, can provide connection and fun. It is a part of human nature to want to belong to a group, and find community and connection with other people, as long as we don't take it too seriously. An excellent read and highly recommended.
She goes into great detail defining what a cult is, explaining the key behaviours and criteria, and differentiating potentially damaging cults from organizations that resemble cults in many ways, but may not meet all the criteria or have the damaging impacts. All forms of cult behaviour are illustrated, from the Branch Davidians and Jonestown extremism to organized religion to the relatively benign Peloton craze. One factor that unites all of these, from the extremely harmful to the mild and innocuous, is the use of specialized forms of language that only the insiders know.
I love the way Montell concludes her eye-opening book. She reminds us that not all culty behaviour is bad and, in its milder forms, can provide connection and fun. It is a part of human nature to want to belong to a group, and find community and connection with other people, as long as we don't take it too seriously. An excellent read and highly recommended.