Cults and Neuroplasticity

I’ve always had a passing interest in cults. There was one of sorts on my college campus. It attracted some folks who otherwise were not fitting in but found it difficult to be lone wolves, which I can understand. Being an independent at a school where 60% of the students were in the Greek system had its social challenges.

Many, if not most, organizations have, in my view, some mildly cultish aspects. One place I worked could very quickly marginalize a dissenting opinion without anyone there having to say a word. It was all done (usually) non verbally. I found that entertaining to watch. At first I found this pattern to be an irritant. After a while the (often) unconscious collusion was so ingrained I found myself impressed and somewhat amazed.

Of course we’ve recently seen a cult dynamic play out…well…bigly.

The podcast pictured above is very good. The episode I heard today was about kitchen behavior and the (mostly) young people who want to excel in a world influenced by the likes of notable figures such as Gordon Ramsey and the late Anthony Bourdain.

There are words, economies of meaning, undercurrents, actions, expectations, and other aspects of human behavior that are, to a degree, cult-like.

The podcast series also looks at other fields as well.

The hosts of this series are young, whip smart, and I’m getting used to their pitch pattern of raising their voices up at the end of each sentence. In the old days we’d think that would sound like they were asking a question but that isn’t the case any longer. That’s why I put “neuroplasticity” in the title. I’m rewiring my brain when I learn to understand what’s being said. That makes it easier to work with the fast processing and fast talking 20 somethings at my job. Admittedly, I’m a bit envious. My brain has to stay in the right lane …with the golf carts.