Reviews tagging 'Genocide'

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell

7 reviews

abicaro17's review against another edition

dark informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

Montell investigates the way that cult language has integrated into much more of our everyday activities. From MLMs to Crossfit, broad and manipulative language convinces all kinds of people to buy into their brands. Starting off in Guyana with Jonestown, Montell explains that most people have the instinct to trust average middle age white men who seem to listen and care about the things they care about. This is how Jim Jones was able to convince people to literally drink cyanide juice when the government was coming to shut him down. It's also how #BossBabes recuit downlines in MLMs like Rodan+Fields and Luluroe, how Crossfit and Peleton trainers convince people to come to class, and how Instagram gurus sell juices and CBD oil. By using generic language that sounds knowledgeable or relatable, these companies, brands, or gurus can sell their products, their #BossBabe lifestyle, or even $2,000 machines. This book was both interesting and relatable, using interviews with people who fell for "cultish" like some followers of Jonestown, some #BossBabes, and news stories of QAnon followers. I feel like I learned a lot about why people join cults and cult like groups and how the language changes to fit different kinds of cults. I think my only complaint was some of the language was explained once and then never again so if I forgot what it was the book was confusing. Otherwise it was entertaining and enlightening. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Dysphoria, and Pandemic/Epidemic

samspur's review against another edition

dark informative mysterious reflective medium-paced

4.0

I've had this one on my list for a while, and I devoured it in no time. The concept of cults having their own unique jargon really stuck with me. It’s fascinating—and a bit unsettling—how this specific language can be so powerful. Now, I find myself paying closer attention to these subtle cues. My disdain for MLMs and the people who perpetuate them has only deepened, especially knowing how prevalent they are in religious circles as well. Overall I think this is a great read!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Misogyny, Racism, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Addiction and Religious bigotry

laura_awkward_fox's review against another edition

challenging informative mysterious reflective medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing and Death

Moderate: Death, Genocide, and Murder

mi7sma's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

4.0

It was a very insightful book. You know those types which you're intrinsically aware of the things being discussed but you don't actively think about when it actually happens irl. Amanda retold a very profound series of accounts from survivors of various cult groups and presented them in a very digestible manner. The premise of the entire book revolves around cult affiliation(group affiliation), human psychology, brainwashing, unjustified prejudice, glossolalia, genocide and language performativity theory. It also tells us how everyday people end up in cults just to find a meaningful connection as we(humans) are programmed to be seekers of the unknown and social communes are a way to satisfy our emotional and religious needs. The book was written in the light of the writer's father's experiences which gave it a personal and professional outlook. Overall it was a good read but it was long overdue due to uni. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Genocide, Murder, and Cultural appropriation

Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Gaslighting, and Classism

butlerebecca's review against another edition

funny informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Genocide, Physical abuse, Suicide, Religious bigotry, and Murder

Moderate: Sexual assault

Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Racism, and Trafficking

tender_onion's review against another edition

dark informative mysterious fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Trafficking, Suicide attempt, Murder, Cultural appropriation, and Gaslighting

okarenhelena's review against another edition

dark informative reflective tense medium-paced

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child abuse, Genocide, Mental illness, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Cancer