In our upcoming lecture about the language of cults, we'll learn how linguistic tricks often used in cults (and cult-ish communities from fitness to fandoms) are so effective because our brains are hardwired to fall for them. Evolutionary features that served us for millennia are clashing with the modern era when we are increasingly exposed to, and influenced by, complicated mazes of buzzwords, mantras, euphemisms, clichés, and redefinitions. Join us for the live premiere at youtube.com/crashcou

The Secret Language of Cults: A Crash Course Lecture is now available to watch! Words hold tremendous power. Cult leaders know that all too well — but so do fitness instructors, celebrities, and corporate leaders. In our world today, we are increasingly exposed to, and influenced by, complicated mazes of buzzwords, mantras, euphemisms, clichés, and redefinitions: in short, language that’s just a little bit cultish. It turns out, these linguistic tricks are so effective because our brains are har