Comments on: How Cults Rewire the Brain

By: Sprawn!

Sprawn! — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:36:53 +0000

One word: Expodentially.

Anyone who says it, I ignore. A useful heuristic.

She actually has a giant graphic of a brain with recycling symbol over it, you see, it’s “science”. All the same processes that drive her to a cult mindset are still entrenched, the appeal to emotion, baseless assertions, non-sequiteurs and tortured logic, the martyr’s worldview. At least she’s using them for the right side!

By: Missy

Missy — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:41:02 +0000

I haven’t watched the video yet (gotta run to pilates) but my ad under the vid is for Honda “Style that makes sense”. Haha

By: Hyacinth

Hyacinth — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:27:20 +0000

I think the ads are triggered by the topic. Watch closely. This time Scientology due to the content of the article, maybe Weight Watchers next time there is an article on fitness or something similar.

By: Bob Ross

Bob Ross — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:37:40 +0000

Why is there a scientology ad under the article? Kinda creepy

By: Pam

Pam — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 04:05:38 +0000

“Scratch any cynic, and underneath you’ll find a disappointed idealist.” George Carlin

Many years ago I knew a college student who was one of those idealistic seekers. She was always looking for a new, intense religious experience. Then she met the so-called Children of God and their flirty little fishies philosophy. For a long time, no one knew where she was. When she finally came home, the person I knew was gone. In her place was a broken down scarecrow, pitifully thin, prematurely grey, and drug addicted. She looked like she was 90, instead of 25. So when I in turn ran into members of the Rainbow Family, telling me words I actually needed to hear, that I was beautiful etc. I politely excused myself and ran like a frightened rabbit. Even today I question everything I’m told. “Funniest show, Best tasting coffee, New York Times Best Seller”? I’ll decide for myself, thank you anyway.

By: Paul Nagelkerke

Paul Nagelkerke — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:37:20 +0000

Ironic,

…considering the Scientology ad just below her video…

By: PartiallyDeflected

PartiallyDeflected — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:46:25 +0000

I get it now – carbon dioxide is a poison and the only answer is to use lightbulbs that contain toxic mercury!

By: Chris Higgins

Chris Higgins — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:32:04 +0000

Check out the longer Q&A linked in the article if you want some more depth (though arguably not enough) on what she’s on about. Basically, Benscoter is into Memetics (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memetics) and is writing a book about the topic, based on her Moonie (aka viral memetic infection) experience.

To summarize: I think her point is that some ideas are so powerful, and some people so susceptible, that the ideas effectively take over the person’s thought system (aka brain). Particularly when the meme itself aggressively rejects questioning itself, or ascribes any questioning behavior to evil, lack of faith, or Satan. (As discussed in the Q&A.)

By: Bryan

Bryan — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:18:23 +0000

I agree with David. While she presents a moving view of her own experiences, she offers no new knowledge, information or reasoning.

In fact, she even engages in a few logical fallacies of her own, Reductio ad Hitlerum being my favorite.

I’m not saying she is wrong, just that she has postulated lots and proven nothing.

By: Kelsey

Kelsey — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:06:09 +0000

Thanks Chris. I found this interesting. People become Moonies just like people become followers of a lot of religions (christianity included.) To keep this short, some people challenge what they are told while others simply take someone’s word for it. It’s crazy to me.