The sneaky language tricks cults use to influence you

Name: The sneaky language tricks cults use to influence you
Uploaded: 2026-03-02T15:58:05Z
Duration: 5 min 54 s
Description: In the age of social media and wellness trends, the comments section is as good as a cult compound, says linguist and cultural commentator Amanda Montell. Using Taylor Swift's throng of devoted Swifties as her guide, she exposes three sneaky language tactics that cults use to influence us (for better or for worse), revealing why none of us are as cult-proof as we'd like to think.

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Amanda Montell |

TEDNext 2025

• November 2025

In the age of social media and wellness trends, the comments section is as good as a cult compound, says linguist and cultural commentator Amanda Montell. Using Taylor Swift's throng of devoted Swifties as her guide, she exposes three sneaky language tactics that cults use to influence us (for better or for worse), revealing why none of us are as cult-proof as we'd like to think.