Since listening to you on Amber’s podcast about GNM, it seems the topic of cults is popping up everywhere and I’m so fascinated. I can’t help but wonder how much these cult leaders are conscious of and calculated in their actions - I’m sure a LOT, but I just can’t seem to wrap my head around the fact that somebody could be so evil, how somebody could intentionally take advantage of others, especially to that level. Maybe this is a stupid question, but you think there’s any part of them that thinks they’re doing good for others and think that it’s not actually harmful? That they’re so delusional they believe they’re doing good in the world?
I also wonder if knowing the tactics of cults can help to prevent someone from joining one? I would think a really skilled leader may be able to deceive even the most aware when it comes to cult behaviors.
I don’t think it’s a stupid question, I think it’s actually the thing that is most difficult to understand. I think that a lot of them do know exactly what they’re doing and they’re doing it on purpose. A sociopathic narcissist doesn’t have a conscience - they literally don’t experience empathy like normal people do. There are books “fuel” or “confessions of a narcissist” by hg Tudor on Amazon written by a guy who knows he’s a narcissist that explains their point of view. So yes some people are just that evil full stop.
I don’t really know if I think there are any cult leaders who purely think they’re doing good for real. I think sometimes they might believe their own delusions to an extent but it’s hard to say. A narcissist doesn’t want what’s good for the world they want what’s good for themselves.
And I think knowing the tactics of cults helps a lot. But I don’t think any of us can really be bulletproof. I’m not sure. Like I am so much more skeptical and guarded (in a healthy way) now that I think it would be extremely unlikely for me to join another actual cult. But I think we’re always susceptible to mind control tactics in general in the world so it’s good to always hold the opinion that we could be wrong and be willing to question what we think
Since listening to you on Amber’s podcast about GNM, it seems the topic of cults is popping up everywhere and I’m so fascinated. I can’t help but wonder how much these cult leaders are conscious of and calculated in their actions - I’m sure a LOT, but I just can’t seem to wrap my head around the fact that somebody could be so evil, how somebody could intentionally take advantage of others, especially to that level. Maybe this is a stupid question, but you think there’s any part of them that thinks they’re doing good for others and think that it’s not actually harmful? That they’re so delusional they believe they’re doing good in the world?
I also wonder if knowing the tactics of cults can help to prevent someone from joining one? I would think a really skilled leader may be able to deceive even the most aware when it comes to cult behaviors.
I don’t think it’s a stupid question, I think it’s actually the thing that is most difficult to understand. I think that a lot of them do know exactly what they’re doing and they’re doing it on purpose. A sociopathic narcissist doesn’t have a conscience - they literally don’t experience empathy like normal people do. There are books “fuel” or “confessions of a narcissist” by hg Tudor on Amazon written by a guy who knows he’s a narcissist that explains their point of view. So yes some people are just that evil full stop.
I don’t really know if I think there are any cult leaders who purely think they’re doing good for real. I think sometimes they might believe their own delusions to an extent but it’s hard to say. A narcissist doesn’t want what’s good for the world they want what’s good for themselves.
And I think knowing the tactics of cults helps a lot. But I don’t think any of us can really be bulletproof. I’m not sure. Like I am so much more skeptical and guarded (in a healthy way) now that I think it would be extremely unlikely for me to join another actual cult. But I think we’re always susceptible to mind control tactics in general in the world so it’s good to always hold the opinion that we could be wrong and be willing to question what we think