A few years ago cult expert Anke Richter would not have called the anti-vaccine movement a cult. She would now. So what has changed?
Since the beginning of the pandemic communities have been built around anti-vaccine beliefs, sweeping up the disillusioned and afraid into groups that purport to understand and provide comfort. In our world today, with isolation through the pandemic, it’s far easier to fall into an echo chamber and have your feelings entrenched through relationships and those that seek to deceive. So, are anti-vaxers in a cult? Yes, and no. While there is not just one charismatic leader in the movement but many, it could easily have cultic characteristics. What is often overlooked is many influencers in the anti-vaccine movements have monetised their beliefs, pushing other “wellness” products, turning their epistemology into something resembling multi-level marketing and making a profit. Money and power are powerful drivers for misinformation peddlers, and what they provide is a community that gives their mark all the answers, support, and love. This is how cults work.
In this Stuff podcast “Tell Me About It“, Anke Richter outlines cult behaviors and how people that are kind, thoughtful, and loving fall down the rabbit hole. She also provides a few ideas of how to help pull them out.
