Cultish : the language of fanaticism / Amanda Montell.
"What makes 'cults' so intriguing and frightening? What makes them powerful? The reason why so many of us binge Manson documentaries by the dozen and fall down rabbit holes researching suburban moms gone QAnon is because we're looking for a satisfying explanation for what causes people to join--and more importantly, stay in--extreme groups. We secretly want to know: could it happen to me? Amanda Montell's argument is that, on some level, it already has. Our culture tends to provide pretty flimsy answers to questions of cult influence, mostly having to do with vague talk of 'brainwashing.' But the true answer has nothing to do with freaky mind-control wizardry or Kool-Aid. In Cultish, Montell argues that the key to manufacturing intense ideology, community, and us/them attitudes all comes down to language. In both positive ways and shadowy ones, cultish language is something we hear--and are influenced by--every single day. Through juicy storytelling and cutting original research, Montell exposes the verbal elements that make a wide spectrum of communities 'cultish,' revealing how they affect followers of groups as notorious as Heaven's Gate, but also how they pervade our modern start-ups, Peloton leaderboards, and Instagram feeds. Incisive and darkly funny, this enrapturing take on the curious social science of power and belief will make you hear the fanatical language of 'cultish' everywhere'"--Publisher's description.
"From SoulCycle to Scientology, we're all obsessed with cults. Linguist Amanda Montell examines the language cults use to draw us in". What causes people to join--and more importantly, stay in--extreme groups? The answer, Montell believes, has nothing to do with freaky mind-control wizardry or Kool-Aid. She argues that the key to manufacturing intense ideology, community, and us/them attitudes all comes down to language. In both positive ways and shadowy ones, cultish language is something we hear--and are influenced by--every single day. Montell exposes the verbal elements that make a wide spectrum of communities "cultish." In doing so, she reveals how they even pervade our modern start-ups, Peloton leaderboards, and Instagram feeds. -- adapted from jacket
Record details
- ISBN: 9780062993151
- ISBN: 0062993151
- Physical Description: 309 pages ; 22 cm
- Edition: First edition.
- Publisher: New York, NY : Harper Wave, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, [2021]
Content descriptions
Bibliography, etc. Note: | Includes bibliographical references (pages 287-309). |
Formatted Contents Note: | Repeat after me... -- Congratulations-you have been chosen to join the next evolutionary level above human -- Even YOU can learn to speak in tongues -- Do you wanna be a #BossBabe? -- This hour is going to change your life... and make you LOOK AWESOME -- Follow for follow. |
Search for related items by subject
Subject: | Cults > Language > Psychological aspects. Mental suggestion. Group identity. |
Available copies
- 21 of 22 copies available at SPARK Libraries.
Holds
- 0 current holds with 22 total copies.
Other Formats and Editions
Show Only Available Copies
Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Abington Community Library | 306.44 MONTELL (Text) | 50687011716811 | Adult Nonfiction | Available | - |
Albright Memorial Library | 306.44 MONTELL (Text) | 50686015733624 | Adult Nonfiction | Available | - |
Altoona Area Public Library | 306.44 MON (Text) | 33240004878008 | Adult Nonfiction | Available | - |
Cambria County Library | 306.44 M776c (Text) | 85131001771634 | CACM Non-Fiction | Available | - |
Forest City | 306.44 MONT (Text) | 38000000627998 | SSQF Main Floor | Available | - |
Highland Community Library | 306.44 MON (Text) | 35610000989744 | HGHM Non-Fiction | Available | - |
Mansfield Free Public Library | 306.44 MON (Text) | 31423605 | Adult Nonfiction | Available | - |
Martin Library | Adults 306.44 MON Life Times (Text) | 33454005869078 | 2nd Floor | Available | - |
Memorial Library of Nazareth and Vicinity | 306.44 MON 2021 (Text) | 31001101825645 | Adult Non Fiction | Available | - |
New Castle Public Library | 306.44 Montell (Text) | 31902005439690 | NWCM Non-Fiction | Available | - |