Had a long, interesting conversation with my 90yo grandmother tonight about what makes cults ‘cults’, her relatives who have fallen into them from the 1950s on, and why.

It’s remarkable how many of the vulnerabilities and attributes stay the exact same, every time.

In almost every case, the person was lonely, had few real close relationships, typically had experienced some great upset or tragedy in their life, and then was introduced to some charismatic authority figure who seemed to have answers and who would make them part of a group.

In one case, the person suffered a bad divorce. Her *therapist* convinced her to join a doomsday cult that built massive fallout shelters.

Another was isolated after her kids moved away. She learned that the future of the chosen few is on distant, alien worlds.

None of the stories she told me were about particularly uneducated, unintelligent, or mentally ill people. They were just ordinary humans who suffered a major life change and were lonely and desperately needed community and answers.

I think we all need to consider very carefully about what makes cults (especially dangerous and violent ones) successful, and recognize the warning signs of someone who is vulnerable to indoctrination. Her stories happened before the internet meant everyone could reach everyone.

Because for the past year, even the past decade, a majority of people have been suffering upset at the least and tragedy in many cases. It’s also been hypothesized that people have less concrete personal relationships today on average then in the past. Everyone wants answers.

I can see how tempting it can be for people who are confused and out of touch to look for answers in the nearest apparently powerful authority figure who promises confidently they have them and that they are special.