Ep. 317 | The Consumer Cult (with Amanda Montell)

Joshua and Ryan speak with Amanda Montell, author of Cultish, about what makes a cult a cult. Watch “Maximal” episodes of The Minimalists Private Podcast exclusively at Patreon.    • The Minimalists Private Podcast on Pa...  

Questions answered in this episode:

00:00 Who decides whether a cult is a cult?

02:08 Are cults strictly negative?

04:33 Is CrossFit a cult?

11:58 How do otherwise reasonable people fall susceptible to cults?

13:55 What are the characteristics of a cult?

15:47 What is the “thought-terminating cliche”?

21:29 What are the “exit costs” of cults?

22:25 What are some red flags to look for regarding cults?

32:35 Why does it seem the US is replete with cults?

34:30 How do cults start?

36:43 What is the “cult of consumerism”?

39:37 How do cult members not see how it’s hurting them when it’s so obvious to everyone else?

45:03 Listener comments and minimalism tips.

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