Former Cult Member Answers Cult Questions From Twitter | Tech Support | WIRED

To hear more from Dr. Janja Lalich, watch our latest video where she compares online conspiracy groups and cults >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RqNe5IrpP8

I love that she calls Manson 'Charles' like his disapproving grandmother.

A cult with just two people is called an abusive relationship.

"When are we ever gonna get a cult leader who's a good guy"? -somebody who's VERY susceptible to being brought into a cult

I love how WIRED combines very interesting questions with absolute dumbest questions I've ever seen

"Cult leaders are not gonna be chill." seems fair.

"Maybe they just don't like you" the way she said this is just pure gold LMAOO

I remember learning in sociology about a cult researcher who investigated the Moonies and actually ended up joining them. That really shows how persuasive a cult can be to the most skeptical person.

I grew up in a church that basically devolved into a cult. After my family got out, i was so legitimately shocked to find how kind and accepting other churches were in comparison

As a person born in a cult, don't forget that some people are born into cults! It's often not a choice. The "average person" can get roped into a cult, too.

Get this woman a PODCAST

She would be an amazing teacher, she corrects people without any condescension and explains things so well and in an engaging manner. I could listen to her all day

As someone currently trying leave a cult (held back by parents), I appreciate all the different point of view with all these questions

I love her completely logical life progression. I left a cult… now I’m a sociologist specializing in cults.

Ending a cult by democratically voting out the dictator like leader is a surprisingly heartwarming story.

This content is both cathartic and deeply triggering for me. I was in a small, private cult for 10 years. So many of us have nameless experiences that never hit the mainstream and suffered in secret. It's important that content like this teaches other people what to look for and to help identify vulnerable people in a way to reach out to them before the cult does.

10:48 I'm definitely not an expert, but I know people who'se family or themselves were part of a cult, and something she didn't point out is that some cults persuade you to join, not by offering you to change the world or a greater purpose, they simply grant you something they know you need with urgency. This initial offer may come in the form of financial aid, housing, a job, or just a general sense of safety and stability, at least in the beginning. This generates a sense of gratitude, debt or even reverence pretty quickly. That is part of the reason why some people have a hard time leaving, they are attached to the first impression of the cult being the generous benefactor/savior that helped them out of a tough situation or that they have a pending debt with them that they will never finish to pay.

"When are we gonna see a cult leader thats really just a chill guy?" I dont think this person understands the type of cults we are talking about here.

"Not every religion becomes a cult, and not every cult becomes a religion." I like that she said that.

I love how she alludes to Scientology soooo many times throughout this video without actually naming Scientology. That Joaquin Phoenix film is about L.R. Hubbard and Scientology, as well.