alisarae's Reviews (1.65k)

I read a lot about cults because I enjoy it. This book is unique from many I've read because it looks specifically at the language and communication patterns used not just by classic cults but also by those organizations and people who feel "cultish." You know the ones: MLMs, crossfit gyms, overly enthusiastic startups. It's hyperbole to call these groups "cults"--Peloton is no Jonesown--but what is it exactly that makes them so culty?

Linguistically, they all use the same techniques:
1. Love bombing (effusive compliments)
2. Us vs Them rhetoric ("There's winners and there's quitters.")
3. Thought terminators (phrases that shut down questions & dialogue: "Do the research." "God has a plan.")
4. Verbal abuse (can range from body shaming in the gym to put downs when you aren't performing well, and etc)
5. Jargon and assigning common words a new meaning (the "WOD" at the crossfit "box")

The book looks at the traditional biggies like Scientology and Jonestown, but also has chapters on politics, fitness programs, MLMs and #bossbabe culture, and internet cults like new agey Instagram influencers and Qanon.

Interestingly, it appears that some people are naturally attuned to this type of language and are instinctively turned off by it, while it resonates strongly with and attracts other types of people. Thankfully you can learn to spot it ("It's like porn: you know it when you see it.") and the book has a wealth of examples of the language techniques being used in every sort of context. Rather than blaming and judging people for getting sucked in, Montell says she learned that "humans are physiologically built to be more mystical and comunal than [she] knew."

I am one of those people who can instantly sense manipulative language even before I can put my finger on what feels off about the situation, but I still found this book helpful because it distilled the techniques down into basic categories and gave me labels to be able to name what I am sensing. Great book and engaging writing.

Interesting enough, and the writing has a good balance of technical talk with examples of athletes. If you hadn't already intuited, being a stellar athlete requires a genetic cocktail that scientists don't really understand plus environment and opportunities. In the end, it seems that there is a sport for every type of body to do well in, the question is if you can find the sport that is ideal for your genetics and if you have enough drive to train in that sport. Usain Bolt wanted to play cricket; Michael Jordan wanted to play baseball. Lucky for them, they had people in their lives to steer them in a more profitable direction.

Solid writing and pacing. Even though I guessed the twist close to the beginning of the book, and even though the MC keeps repeating her same doubts on every page, I liked the drama and finished it in 2 days. The stakes just kept getting higher!

Audio was perfect. TW for sexual assault & emotional manipulation.

So cute and wholesome

Another wholesome addition to this series! I thought how sign language was designed into the panels was such a good idea—and I'm kind of glad to see that it wasn't used as a super power or to "save the day" in any way. It's just how the town talks. Super cute.

Just love. I want to do a tea dragon cross-stitch now….

A truly transformative way of seeing & guiding interactions with others. I would like to be able to role play and practice this with someone. It will take a lot of time and effort to be able to incorporate these principles into my life, but "anything worth doing is worth doing imperfectly."

Funny enemies to lovers with good banter :)

The cover looks kinda campy but this essay collection is actually a highbrow look at the lingering effects of violent crime on the victims, the perpetrators, and society.

I particualrly enjoyed the essay about true crime as entertainment, and would like to read more about that.

I was very moved by the longform profile of a UT tower shooting victim.

The story on what gunshot wounds really do to a body was more than I expected: I agree that if people actually saw the photos of autopsies and such, our national discourse around gun control and violence would be completely different (honestly, sometimes curiosity has gotten the best of me and I have regretted it every time).

Finally, that reporting on CBP is mind boggling: the stuff of dystopian nightmeres is happing to US citizens, in the United States, and it is completely legal.

Ken Liu always does such a fantastic job of blending history, sociology and science to make bittersweet stories about the humanity of being alive (in the Singularity or otherwise).