Welcome to Litsy!

I spent yesterday playing Stardew Valley and listening to the tagged book.

I've read a few other cult books recently, but this book is by far my favorite of them all. The way the author dissects how language plays a key role in cults, and in our society, was fascinating to me. This book is well researched, easy to follow, and will give you a new insight into why people get caught up in cults.

I thought that the idea behind this book was great. Cults are very nuanced, especially in this day and age. However, she uses an incredible amount of words I need a dictionary to look up (and heavily rely on context clues). #cultish #cult #nonfiction

This book was such a great and interesting read. It's a mix of about half of things I already knew about and half I had no clue. So many things nowadays can be considered “cultish“; it's almost inescapable. Especially the MLMs...I steer clear of those; those (mostly) ladies are suspish!

First up for #NFNovember and I‘m already intrigued!

I finished this one recently and found it very interesting! I‘m fascinated by cults like so many people and this book really gave me a lot to think about. So much of cultish language is everywhere! Must read for anyone interested in cults and how they have so much influence over people. 4⭐️

Not even non-fiction can make cults sound boring, but what takes Cultish to the next level is Montell‘s consideration of “cultish” groups hiding in plain sight - MLMs, fitness gyms and SoulCycle, even Instagram itself. I think Montell‘s claim that language is a cult‘s most powerful weapon is a bit of a stretch (there‘s more to it, and of course a linguist would focus on verbiage), but reading about these groups is enough to keep me interested.

I thought this book was so interesting. I loved how it incorporated so many instances of cult mentality from MLMs to exercise regimes to Scientology. I thought the author did a great job of keeping it interesting because she kept it brief enough that you don‘t lose interest but gave enough information that you got a real taste of the different cult type beliefs that are floating around.

This was an awesome book about the power of language in cult and cult like groups. It tackles multilevel marketing, suicide cults, CrossFit, Scientology and all kinds of things you might not think you are sucked into but perhaps you are. I highly recommend this one!

This was a quick read so I wouldn‘t call it very in-depth — more like an overview of different modern cults & “cult adjacent” and the language they use to draw people in. It was definitely interesting and presented in an easily understandable way.

I liked this but I definitely preferred WordSlut. And this#audiobook is not read by the author so it wasn't nearly as gleeful as her other book. It is a super interesting look at the language of cults and groups like AmWay and SoulCycle.

#BirthdayBash @TheAromaofBooks

Pre order came in today. Love the idea of this close look at how language is used by cults

Investigates the language used by cults & other cultish groups (from Scientology, to Heaven‘s Gate, to Mary Kay, to SoulCycle, to social media influencers) to achieve & maintain sway. One of the most interesting points to me is Montell‘s explanation of why people join cultish groups. It‘s not just trauma or foolishness that makes people vulnerable; it‘s optimism, big dreams, & the desire for radical change.

A bit too long but it held my interest!

So compelling! Interesting, raw, honest. Highly recommend! #audio

#currentlisten

This is my ambitious group of books I want to read this month. It‘s a little thin on nonfiction but I am looking forward to Cultish.

Another fascinating book from this author, about words and linguistics.

I don‘t think that this was *quite* as good as Wordslut; Montell tried to cover too broad a range of both cults (Scientology) and ‘cultish‘ organisations (CrossFit and SoulCycle) so some of the message was lost. I‘d have preferred concentration on one or the other. For example, there was a section on QAnon that really felt tacked on and I‘d have liked to know more about it.

In this fascinating and fun book, linguist Montell explores the language of cults, be they the dangerous suicide-pact variety or programs with dedicated followers like CrossFit. I thoroughly enjoyed both the content and the writing.

This look at the manipulative language used by cults is very bit as fascinating as everyone keeps saying. I am adding Wordslut to library holds immediately.

Montell looks at the language cults and cult-like groups use, from Waco and Scientology to Trump and Peloton. She also gives tips on language and markers to look out for. Very of-the-moment.

What do Jonestown, Scientology, Amway, Soul Cylce, and Instagram spiritual influencers have in common? Utilization of “cultish” language to some extremity.
This book dives into the vernacular of cults, using phrases and language as examples, but breaks down the specifics of the language being used less than I expected. Still, this book is the brand of nonfiction I love that‘s a little bit pop culture, a little bit sociological analysis.

Getting to this section of Cultish tonight while also seeing there are multiple COVID deaths linked to the August Paparazzi convention.

I found this whole section about the history of American capitalism being linked to Protestant reformation fascinating!

“So even though it‘s true that not everyone who joins and stays in abusive religion is troubled or unintelligent, it‘s equally true that finding yourself ears-deep in that kind of cultish quandary couldn‘t happen to “just anyone.” We‘ll learn more about why some people have instincts like Flor‘s, and others don‘t, in part 4.”

Discuss on “brainwashing” is so fascinating. Perfect outdoor reading day

Hmmm why is it all this talk about confirmation bias seems so familiar

Enjoying some time outside while learning about the language of cults and “cultish” behavior. Anyone else fascinated by how cults work and evolve?

This look at the use of language by cults and cult-like groups was interesting. Montell doesn‘t dive deeply into the history of words, like in Word Slut; instead, she discusses the ways words are manipulated in order to control people. Of necessity, we get short histories of some cults and their implosions. MLMs and fitness cults are discussed, and Montell is careful to point out the differences between these and something like Jonestown.

About gullibility in relation to multilevel marketing companies: “In several experiments, researchers found that when someone is in a good mood, they become more innocent and unsuspecting, while feeling grumpy makes one better at sensing deception. Which has to be the most curmudgeonly superpower I‘ve ever heard.” This is definitely interesting!

It started with a prayer. #firstlinefridays #libraryhaul
#nonfiction

Tonight‘s reading is Cultish by Amanda Montell. I loved Wordslut, so I thought I‘d check this out. I still don‘t understand what attracts people to cults, but this book is at least helping a little. She also discusses things that we don‘t tend to think of as cults, but they exhibit some cult-like behavior. I was lucky to get in a walk; it‘s rained for a good portion of the day. #audiowalk

I devoured Cultish. I thought it was a cool concept for a book: how cult-like organizations use language to influence their followers. It starts with the dangerous, violent cults everyone automatically thinks of when they hear the word. Gradually the author starts examining less and less dangerous businesses, like boutique fitness studios and MLMs. I give this 👍🏻👍🏻.

#bookmail Litsy made me do it! This sounds so good!

I enjoyed Montell‘s work on shared features between Cults and social activities that can be considered ‘cultish‘ (e.g. multi-level marketing, influencers, fitness communities, like Peloton). She shines a light on these activities without creating false equivalences and losing the nuances. This is a great read for those who remain fascinated by the ways and reasons that humans organize themselves.

Excellent! An exploration of what cults are, besides just the radical groups that we associate with the word like Jonestown, etc. Though these groups are covered in the first section, as well as a section on each of the following:
- alt religions (Scientology)
- multi-level marketing (pyramid schemes — Amway, LuLaRoe, etc)
- fitness/wellness groups (SoulCycle, CrossFit)
- social media (New Age gurus, QAnon)
Recommended! 🌟

Montell provides readers with a lot to consider while never shaming social influence, as a whole. While there was a lot of information that supported things I already felt strongly about, she articulated it all eloquently, in ways I could not, with research to back her beliefs. She is incredibly knowledgeable in both language & cult dynamics, things her history & education support.

Full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3772203702

Amanda is answering questions about Cults, her writing process, the book, etc. on HarperCollins Insta until 3 PT for you fans. Here was my question!

Like Wordslut this book was great. I've learnt a ton of things about cultish language and have asked myself several times whether I'd fall for it.

@Megabooks @Cinfhen @squirrelbrain

The boys are playing and I‘m reading 🙌

When your shirt matches your new book! 📕 📚

Today at Camp Lazy Bum: I #audiocut fabric for an #Audiosewing project.

You can see a tiny part of my craft book collection and an even smaller part of my fabric stash.

#LitsySummerCamp @ImperfectCJ

If a form of language cues you to have an instant emotional response while also halting you from asking further questions, or makes you feel “chosen” just for showing up, or allows you to morally divorce yourself from some one-dimensionally inferior other, it‘s language worth challenging.

Currently devouring this book.

This was fantastic and is likely something I‘ll share parts of with my sociology students, because it makes some of the theoretical concepts we study super accessible via the ever-intriguing topic of cultish groups/behavior. Lots of good stuff around language/culture/identity, in-group/out-group, and us vs. them mentality. Loved the author's writing style and sense of humor, too!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The different ways we use language never ceases to amaze. I loved Montell‘s “Wordslut” and this as well! Ranging from full-on deadly communal cults to fitness groups to MLM, she dissects the phrasing that draws folks in, eliciting importance. Sure, there are some tiny liberties. Not all of these groups are true cults, but do exude cult-like devotion. As weird as it sounds, so much is marketing jargon. Utterly fascinating! #coverlove

Loved this! Following Wordslut, Amanda shows the wide range of her interests by digging into the language of cults. She starts with the very cult-y Heaven‘s Gate and Jonestown and works her way down to how exercise studios like SoulCycle and CrossFit and Instagram influencers use the same language tactics, albeit more benignly. I was surprised how much more disturbed I am by multi-level marketing schemes after reading this book.

#bookmail!! I‘ve already started the tagged book. It was a preorder. Definitely different than Wordslut, but I‘m enjoying it! So far, I think you‘d love it @britt_brooke 👍🏻💜

I just saw @howjessicareads had an ARC of this over on Instagram. For all of us that were crazy about Wordslut last year, Amanda has a new book out in June about the language of cults. All you #WordNerds get excited! Feel free to tag any other Montell fans. 👍🏻😁

(This is a US release date. Not sure whether European or other countries is the same.)

If you like bothering everyone with “did you know” this is a great, fascinating read.