Book Club – “Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism”
When: Thursday, April 25 from 7:30 to 10:30 PM
Where: Maria’s house, 117 Warwick Drive
Join us at Maria’s for a discussion of “Cultish – The Language of Fanaticism” by Amanda Montell!
“What makes “cults” so intriguing and frightening? What makes them powerful? The reason why so many of us binge Manson documentaries by the dozen and fall down rabbit holes researching suburban moms gone QAnon is because we’re looking for a satisfying explanation for what causes people to join—and more importantly, stay in—extreme groups. We secretly want to know: could it happen to me? Amanda Montell’s argument is that, on some level, it already has . . .
Our culture tends to provide pretty flimsy answers to questions of cult influence, mostly having to do with vague talk of “brainwashing.” But the true answer has nothing to do with freaky mind-control wizardry or Kool-Aid. In Cultish, Montell argues that the key to manufacturing intense ideology, community, and us/them attitudes all comes down to language. In both positive ways and shadowy ones, cultish language is something we hear—and are influenced by—every single day.
Through juicy storytelling and cutting original research, Montell exposes the verbal elements that make a wide spectrum of communities “cultish,” revealing how they affect followers of groups as notorious as Heaven’s Gate, but also how they pervade our modern start-ups, Peloton leaderboards, and Instagram feeds. Incisive and darkly funny, this enrapturing take on the curious social science of power and belief will make you hear the fanatical language of “cultish” everywhere.”
Please bring a snack or drink to share. Hope to see you there!
Swap & Brunch Bash
When: Sunday, May 19 from 11 AM to 1 PM
Where: Diana’s house – 2241 Old Washington Rd
Bring your brunch appetite and unwanted gems – let’s brunch, swap, and shop our way to a refresh!
Guests will provide 5-7 gently used items….they can be anything from around your house that you no longer want! Think clothes, accessories (jewelry, purses, etc), home decor, kitchen gadgets, books, etc! Anything as long as it’s still in decent condition. The hostess will set up a “boutique” and guests will shop each other’s stuff over brunch and mimosas! You can shop for as many items as you provide, or fewer if nothing strikes your fancy. Anything left over at the end of the event will be donated!
Please also bring a snack or drink to share.
Booze & Books at Beyond Bedtime Books
When: Friday, May 31 from 6 PM to 10 PM
Where: Beyond Bedtime Books – 1453 Potomac Ave, Dormont
Let’s get together and look for our summer reading at Beyond Bedtime Books, an independent used bookstore located in Dormont, PA! On the last Friday night of the month they offer an after hours event where you can browse their books with a complimentary glass of wine and enter to win a raffle that supports a local business.