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How Cults Seduce and What Marketing Can Learn From Them [pdf]

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Re: How Cults Seduce and What Marketing Can Learn From Them [pdf]

#21

Post by wensing »

There is one hallmark of a cult which this document misses: there is no legitimate reason for leaving a cult.

From the cult member's perspective, this is really a manifestation of the problem of induction. Everything is going great (the article's "love bombing" phase) until one day you want to leave or break a rule or both, and then in an instant everything is upside down and you lose everything.

I guess the business equivalent would be switching costs: leaving the Apple ecosystem is rough for your iTunes collection. For most people this really pales in comparison to the losing-all-your-friends pain of leaving a cult, but maybe not for a hipster.

Re: How Cults Seduce and What Marketing Can Learn From Them [pdf]

#22

Post by tome »

wensing wrote: post #21

There is one hallmark of a cult which this document misses: there is no legitimate reason for leaving a cult. From the cult member's perspective, this is really a manifestation of the problem of induction. Everything is going great (the article's "love bombing" phase) until one day you want to leave or break a rule or both, and then in an instant everything is upside down and you lose everything. I guess the business…

That "switching cost" doesn't just apply to cults. I know for sure it applies to at least certain streams of Islam and Judaism. I wouldn't be surprised (but don't know for sure) if it applied to certain streams of Christianity too.

You may consider those religious streams cults at your own discretion :)

Re: How Cults Seduce and What Marketing Can Learn From Them [pdf]

#23

Post by jjsz »

michaelochurch wrote: post #14

Very interesting. Four thoughts. 1. I don't like the term "cult" and the baggage associated with it. "Cult" seems to mean "religion with fewer than 10 million adherents". The more politically correct (but also more useful term) is NRM: New Religious Movement. They don't all end up here: http://walkthrough.starmen.net/earthbound/image/maps/happyha... . Forming communities is one of the major reasons why people subscri…

TBH, when I see the word cult, I think of culture, which leads to a community. So when you say people subscribe for the community, it's completely understandable.

Re: How Cults Seduce and What Marketing Can Learn From Them [pdf]

#24

Post by pineapplejuice »

schoper wrote: post #11

I grew up a Jehovah's Witness (now attend a Presbyterian Church), and every piece of data in this article that touches them is bullshit. The idea that gold-rimmed glasses are banned is just bizarre. You may see a different pair of Witnesses come by at different times because that was who was out that day, not because there is any tactic. There are no "immediate superiors." You are not disfellowshipped for "questionin…

The Organisation as they call it is hierarchical. That's why you have elders, district overseers, governing body, etc. I've seen elders stepped down for not being perfect examples of fathers in their own families, or if one of their children are disassociated. People do get disassociated for challenging the order in the way of not following rules. They also regularly guilt trip their members for their idleness. Not having highlighted the answers in your Watchtower for example before the Sunday meeting must mean you don't do Bible study with your family like good parents. Pioneers (people who door knock full time) must complete so many hours of services per month.

Re: How Cults Seduce and What Marketing Can Learn From Them [pdf]

#25

Post by jjsz »

pineapplejuice wrote: post #24
schoper wrote: post #11

I grew up a Jehovah's Witness (now attend a Presbyterian Church), and every piece of data in this article that touches them is bullshit. The idea that gold-rimmed glasses are banned is just bizarre. You may see a different pair of Witnesses come by at different times because that was who was out that day, not because there is any tactic. There are no "immediate superiors." You are not disfellowshipped for "questionin…

The Organisation as they call it is hierarchical. That's why you have elders, district overseers, governing body, etc. I've seen elders stepped down for not being perfect examples of fathers in their own families, or if one of their children are disassociated. People do get disassociated for challenging the order in the way of not following rules. They also regularly guilt trip their members for their idleness. Not h…

I'm an ex-JW, I only lasted 1 year. If I had the same mentality that I have now back when I was 13- I would launch a service in highlighting people's answers. It would have been a hit for highschool kids and college kids who need to study. I won't be surprised if there is some type of underground website of kids sharing answers and what not.

Re: How Cults Seduce and What Marketing Can Learn From Them [pdf]

#27

Post by calibraxis »

michaelochurch wrote: post #14

Very interesting. Four thoughts. 1. I don't like the term "cult" and the baggage associated with it. "Cult" seems to mean "religion with fewer than 10 million adherents". The more politically correct (but also more useful term) is NRM: New Religious Movement. They don't all end up here: http://walkthrough.starmen.net/earthbound/image/maps/happyha... . Forming communities is one of the major reasons why people subscri…

"Disciplined Minds" discusses how to apply anti-cult techniques to your workplace's brainwashing. (http://disciplinedminds.com)

Re: How Cults Seduce and What Marketing Can Learn From Them [pdf]

#28

Post by Pitarou »

It must be a slow news day on Hacker News.

Poorly researched. 60% garbage. Don't waste your time reading it.

Their bewilderment over the Apple's cult-like success shows they don't really understand what's going on. The one concrete piece of advice is:

> If you're business is failing, try to build a community of loyal fans who buy into your "David & Goliath" story.

Which is just another way of saying:

> If life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

Re: How Cults Seduce and What Marketing Can Learn From Them [pdf]

#30

Post by gcb0 »

schoper wrote: post #11

I grew up a Jehovah's Witness (now attend a Presbyterian Church), and every piece of data in this article that touches them is bullshit. The idea that gold-rimmed glasses are banned is just bizarre. You may see a different pair of Witnesses come by at different times because that was who was out that day, not because there is any tactic. There are no "immediate superiors." You are not disfellowshipped for "questionin…

The fact that you were in the cult and still defend that there were no "orders" or hierarchy makes me read the article with much more enthusiasm.
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