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Comment by 659087 | Hacker News Reader

I can't figure out whether to upvote this to expose this person, or downvote it to avoid giving this person exposure.

It never ceases to amaze me just how many fools are out there just waiting to fall for something like this. It's terrifying. Instagram douche meets cult leader has got to be the worst personality combo I've ever seen in my life.

On another note, this stuff makes scientologists sound completely reasonable and sane by comparison.

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The problem with narcissistic personality disorder is that all attention is good attention, all absence of attention is bad and drives the rage that leads to the abuse.

I agree. But despite the bizarre fact is that there is a real market for these kind of "Gurus" to fill, but unless someone is forced to join or kept in the cult by force then what's the problem? he chooses to lead and followers choose to follow.

They are forced to stay in the cult through coercion. Members join willingly, and the cult slowly isolates them, encourages to shut out family and friends, takes all their money and makes them financially helpless. By the time they realize what's going on, they have no safe way to leave the cult. That leaves the members vulnerable to all sorts of abuse. That's why joining a cult should be seen as a problem, and not just as someone's preference.

The problem is that people who are weak-willed enough to fall for the "teachings" of and follow someone like this exist, and in large numbers.

What's your definition of "force"? Purely physical force? Or are you including brainwashing, emotional abuse, and economic/financial force as well?

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