This is fascinating material, which I don't believe I've encountered before. The links to the Korean 'brainwashing' scare struck me particularly. That's a topic that doesn't get enough coverage in crime- or academic writing. If you don't mind, I'd like to cross-post this to the Crime & Psychology Substack: I'm sure ym subscribers would enjoy it.
Please do. We are republishing our first post on Synanon because we did quite a dive on it. I also discussed the Korea example on one of the articles on the Seed. I think I will likely publish a post just about that Korea episode. We encountered a few interesting articles on how that affect films, and culture, and so forth.
I believe the appeal of cults—or cult-like organisations—to their followers goes beyond just addressing social ills, as mentioned in the article. More fundamentally, many of us crave order and a sense of purpose, something these groups provide through carefully crafted ideologies and psychological manipulation. The promise of belonging and a higher calling can be incredibly seductive, making individuals more susceptible to indoctrination.
If you're planning a series on this topic, I’d be keen to follow along. The psychology behind brainwashing has always fascinated me—it seems to be the ultimate tool for many unsavoury figures. Cheers!
Thank you for your kind words. I am no cult specialist, and this certainly did not seem to start as a cult, but it very much looked like one near the end.
I agree the proliferation of these kinds of institutions points to some kind of need of feeling of belonging. Id also suggest that it betrays a desire for the absolute. The marvelous George Steiner wrote a little book called Nostalgia for the Absolute, in short he suggested Nietzsche made absolute less tenable and that has in some ways created a crisis where people crave absolutes and cling on to what may be; communism, capitalism, scientism, etc.
We accidentally reworked the first Synanon article we wrote and will be republishing it as we enjoyed the new version more. We also have a few posts coming of similar type of interventions and institutions with a focus on crime. Synanon fits our purview because drug abuse was criminal activity and hence there is some nice over lap there too.
I want to eventually write something on the American soldiers caught during the Korean War, who denounced the US, chose to stay in Korea, and admitted to partaking in war crimes for which there is no evidence. In short, they were "reeducated" or "brained washed." For my purposes talk about mind control, redesigning society, and such is relevant because all these have to do with the elimination of undesired behaviors, some of which are made into crimes.
Will definitely be looking forward to an article about the American soldiers, especially Dresnok. The guy went full-on Stockholm Syndrome on DPRK and became their biggest propaganda win. It would be interesting to read something about him and his fellow captives and what they used to tame them back then.
This is fascinating material, which I don't believe I've encountered before. The links to the Korean 'brainwashing' scare struck me particularly. That's a topic that doesn't get enough coverage in crime- or academic writing. If you don't mind, I'd like to cross-post this to the Crime & Psychology Substack: I'm sure ym subscribers would enjoy it.
Please do. We are republishing our first post on Synanon because we did quite a dive on it. I also discussed the Korea example on one of the articles on the Seed. I think I will likely publish a post just about that Korea episode. We encountered a few interesting articles on how that affect films, and culture, and so forth.
OK, I have scheduled a cross-post of this article. It won't come out for two weeks, but it will be there!
I havent tried doing that in a while. Not sure what could be awry.
Interesting insight into yet another cult.
I believe the appeal of cults—or cult-like organisations—to their followers goes beyond just addressing social ills, as mentioned in the article. More fundamentally, many of us crave order and a sense of purpose, something these groups provide through carefully crafted ideologies and psychological manipulation. The promise of belonging and a higher calling can be incredibly seductive, making individuals more susceptible to indoctrination.
If you're planning a series on this topic, I’d be keen to follow along. The psychology behind brainwashing has always fascinated me—it seems to be the ultimate tool for many unsavoury figures. Cheers!
Hello,
Thank you for your kind words. I am no cult specialist, and this certainly did not seem to start as a cult, but it very much looked like one near the end.
I agree the proliferation of these kinds of institutions points to some kind of need of feeling of belonging. Id also suggest that it betrays a desire for the absolute. The marvelous George Steiner wrote a little book called Nostalgia for the Absolute, in short he suggested Nietzsche made absolute less tenable and that has in some ways created a crisis where people crave absolutes and cling on to what may be; communism, capitalism, scientism, etc.
We accidentally reworked the first Synanon article we wrote and will be republishing it as we enjoyed the new version more. We also have a few posts coming of similar type of interventions and institutions with a focus on crime. Synanon fits our purview because drug abuse was criminal activity and hence there is some nice over lap there too.
I want to eventually write something on the American soldiers caught during the Korean War, who denounced the US, chose to stay in Korea, and admitted to partaking in war crimes for which there is no evidence. In short, they were "reeducated" or "brained washed." For my purposes talk about mind control, redesigning society, and such is relevant because all these have to do with the elimination of undesired behaviors, some of which are made into crimes.
Our pleasure!
Will definitely be looking forward to an article about the American soldiers, especially Dresnok. The guy went full-on Stockholm Syndrome on DPRK and became their biggest propaganda win. It would be interesting to read something about him and his fellow captives and what they used to tame them back then.
Maybe in 2026, we have a lot planned for this year, and lot of work ahead. Excited about it, too. But there lots to do.