What do QAnon and SoulCycle have in common? How are multilevel marketing schemes and Scientology connected? The answer is language and the power imbued into the words and phrases used by cult leaders and social media influencers alike.

In her darkly funny and incisive new book Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism author and linguist Amanda Montell (Wordslut) takes a look at the fascinating linguistic triumphs achieved by cults, MLMs and fitness gurus. Montell shows us that the key to developing ideology, a sense of community, and the always important us/them attitudes all comes down to the words we use every day.

Amanda Montell joins journalist Sarah Berman (Don't Call it a Cult) to discuss Cultish and to reveal the surprising amount of cult-adjacent groups we might be members of already.

About this event's guest:

Amanda Montell
Sarah Berman

Author photo courtesy of Katie Neuhof

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This event is part of our On Civil Society series.

Generously supported in part by Chris M. Reid

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Toronto Public Library is committed to accessibility. Please call or email us if you are Deaf or have a disability and would like to request accommodation to participate in this program. Please let us know as far in advance as possible and we will do our best to meet your request. At least three weeks’ notice is preferred. Phone 416-393-7099 or email accessibleservices@tpl.ca

Amanda Montell: Cultish