introspect

no brain no gain

introspect Spring 2014 Issue

LEAVE BEHIND THE MESS OF STRESS Page 14

GANG CULTURE: THE TRUTH REVEALED

MIND FINDS Page 6

Page 16

CULTURE CLASH Delve into the brains behind the modern-day cult

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Escape to a sanctuary of tranquility

Escape to the Bahamas

LETTER FROM THE

EDITORS THE BRAIN– It’s no coincidence that the most important organ in the human body is shrouded in mystery. What’s surprising to us is how much we don’t know about the human brain. It’s the final frontier in psychology, the key to understanding our most basic origins and behaviors. This magazine strives to answer one basic question: why do we act the way we do? In this particular issue, we focused on the psychology of leadership roles, with articles delving into taboo social issues like gangs and cults. We also sought to understand the basics behind these larger social phenomena, through our studies of the human brain.

Additionally, this edition is packed with tips and tricks for teenagers, whether we seek to manage high school or plan our guide to world domination.

From the conception of the magazine to the final revisions, the staff at Introspect have had a blast working with each other. During the initial planning, the name “introspect” was chosen to represent the inner psychologist in all of us, the curiosity and wonder that endures from our childhood and guides our discoveries. We hope that as you flip the pages of our magazine, you too discover your own inner psychologist, and we inspire your sense of wonder in yourself and the world around you.

We at Introspect would like to thank all the interviewees that appear in this edition, along with all the students that participated in the stress-related poll.

Finally, we would like to thank Mrs. Brandi Harrison for her mentoring and constant help that made this magazine possible.

With thanks, Charles Arscott, Avani Sastry, and Kyra Segraves Spring 2014

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THE STAFF OF

INTROSPECT

CHARLES ARSCOTT was born on The West Side

of Toronto, moving to Austin at the age of six.

Arscott’s passion for psychology stems from his early childhood, when hours lost in the newest psychology journals peaked Arscott’s interest in behavioral science and social observations.

When not enraptured by graphic design or the newest edition of Psychology Today, he can be found playing lacrosse on the high school varsity team, playing piano, and pedaling caffeinated beverages to the sleep-deprived denizens of LASA.

Born just outside of Chicago, AVANI SASTRY moved to Austin at the age of one. In elementary school, Sastry began developing characters through her theatre and creative writing programs. This experience sparked a deeper interest in the motivations and machinations of the human mind, which led to her present interest in psychology. When not writing for Introspect, Sastry participates in Quiz Bowl, Robotics, and Model United Nations. In her free time, she enjoys playing the piano, writing, and sewing.

A resident of Round Rock, KYRA SEGRAVES spent her freshman year at the Austin Montessori School. Upon transferring to the Liberal Arts and Science Academy, Segraves easily chose the Electronic Magazine class as her tenth grade Signature Course. She first realized her interest in psychology when she took a human behavior course two years ago, and has pursued the subject ever since. When she’s not trying to understand the reasons behind human behavior, Segraves spends her time drawing, playing with her pets, and sleeping.

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SHATTERED REALITIES Introspect investigates cults: the grotesque, the normal, the romanticized, and the reality, and offers you the true facts behind these almost mythological figures ever so present in pop culture.

written by Avani Sastry

GANGS ON THE RISE We delve into a recent shooting on the south side of Chicago to answer one question: What makes gangs tick? Learn how the organizations are run and how everyone is kept in line. written by Charles Arscott

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THE KIDS COULD BE ALRIGHT

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Learn about the teenage mind and understand how it works both scientifically and psychologically with the help of a teenager, a high school psychology teacher, and experienced Austin counselors. written by Kyra Segraves

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BRAINS THROUGH THE AGES

10 TIPS TO TOPPLE STRESS

YOUR GUIDE TO WORLD DOMINATION

Brains Through the Ages Every brain is different, with deciding factors being environment, experiences and, of course, age. The human brain develops over time, with the process conveniently being organized by the years in life. Learn about how the brain develops throughout the first segments of human life using information gathered from the New York Times, Better Brains for Babies, and Harvard University.

Story and art by Kyra Segraves

Babies

0-3 years Babies’ brains grow at an extremely high rate.There are neural connections forming constantly, with the average rate being 700 connections per second.

These connections are also slowly being refined, starting the process to make the brain more efficient. It builds itself by learning how to live in its environment, with the first areas to develop being the sensory pathways including skills like basic vision and hearing.

After the main necessities are developed to certain points, babies’ brains begin to develop higher cognitive functions like early language skills. Since they’re trying to learn everything, it’s extremely easy to influence babies’ brains. This element becomes less prominent later on in life since adults’ brains have already formed their necessary connections, making abilities like learning a language more difficult.

A baby’s early experiences will have strong effects on the quality of their brain. They will establish whether the baby will have a sturdy or fragile foundation for their learning, health and behavior later in life. This leads to the necessity of good interactions with their caregivers.Without the right care, babies’ brains won’t form correctly, easily leading to learning disabilities and unhealthy behavior.

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Children

4-12 years During childhood, the brain continues to grow immensely. Neural connections are still being formed, though at this point in life their process of refining speeds up and is based on the child’s experiences. The brain strengthens the connections and skills that are being used daily and slowly gets rid of those that are rarely accessed.

By four years, a child’s brain develops the primary senses and basic motor skills, allowing children to walk, hold crayons, and feed themselves. At six years, the area of the brain that governs language begins to develop rapidly, continuing through the rest of childhood. By nine years, the more complex motor skills have developed and the part of the brain concerning math and learning skills matures.

Teenagers

13-19 years In adolescence, the brain reaches its adult weight and continues to create neural connections. The process of refining these connections increases, with most of the progress being made through the ages of 10 and 16. This is caused by teenagers realizing what they enjoy and what they want to specialize in, leading them to put more effort into learning those skills.

At their age, teenagers lack the ability to effectively judge risks and make longterm plans. This is due to the absence of development in the prefrontal cortex, which manages those skills. However, teenagers’ brains are also expanding their intelligence and analytical abilities, and are continuing to become more specialized and efficient.

Adults

20+ years In the years of adulthood, the brain still continues to develop neural connections.

However, its rate of forming connections is much slower than a child’s brain. These connections are also based on more specific experiences rather than on overall experiences. In early adulthood, the brain finishes its growth in emotional maturity, impulse control, and decision making by fully developing the prefrontal cortex.

The brain continues to grow in these years and much later on in life. Its growth is slowed down, but healthy development is still a necessity. Without it, seemingly unnecessary parts of the brain will begin to waste away. To keep the adult brain healthy, simple activities like reading, working on a crossword puzzle, and talking to others can help tremendously.

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TRAIN YOUR BRAIN get started at lumosity.com

Need professional help?

We give you a qualified therapist to help you every step of the way

Call us at 512-809-5673 or visit our website at sastry.com

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“messy”

“lazy” “selfish”

By Kyra Segraves

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“emotional”

“immature”

“irresponsible”

The Kids Could Be Alright What’s going on in the teenage mind?

By Kyra Segraves Spring 2014

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By Kyra Segraves

T

People tend to assume that teenagers are messy, lazy, and other unpleasant adjectives. In reality, they just have a different mindset than the average adult.

eenagers. They’re too emotional. They don’t care about others. They never think about the consequences. The list could go on for miles. Everyone seems to characterize teenagers as headstrong kids who over-exaggerate their problems.

Kimberli Cochran, a counselor with 15 years of experience, completely disagrees.

“Most of the kids I see are actually pretty healthy, they just want someone to talk to,” she said, “but I often see a lot of teens with mental health issues like depression and anxiety and bipolar disorder and ADHD.” Kimberli Cochran is a local Austin counselor, working with adults, children, and teenagers. She helps them deal with many problems, the most common for teenagers being related to their school and social lives.

Cochran recognizes that teenagers are going through a hard time in life and wants to help. Sometimes she even has to talk with the parents, realizing it’s hard for them to completely understand their children.

one side, parents don’t want to let go of their children and won’t let them make their own decisions or really grow up. On the other side, teenagers tend to think they know what’s best and end up making poor decisions.

Cochran has concluded that this causes the majority of their struggles and easily creates more problems.

Sarah Arnold, another Austin counselor, also has to work with this difference. “The more parents try to force their way into their child’s life, the more they try to pull away,” she said. Even after working with teenagers for only 3 years, she’s recognized that teenagers aren’t the only cause of their problems with their parents. A popular example of this is how juniors seek counseling due to the pressure to get into a good college. Some of their stress may originate from the parents, but in most of the cases teenagers begin to pressure themselves, increasing their stress.

Arnold says that most of the time, parents simply find it hard to relate to teenagers, especially since more problems have emerged over the years. Teenagers now have to deal with issues “Everybody’s on their hormones,” Fahnestock said. that weren’t as common “Everybody has disagreements due to that, and they’re with their parents including social media, cyber bullying, kinda, out of whack, might I say, but the friendships and and self harm. Society is constantly changing, which relationships are especially important to a teenager.” easily results in the well“The parents don’t know how to talk to their kids known generation gaps. anymore, they still treat them like they’re babies,” Maricruz Aguayo Tabor, a psychology teacher at she said. Cochran always tries to help the parents the Liberal Arts and Science Academy, addresses the understand what their child’s going through, though scientific reasons for these gaps. She explains that the their access to that information varies. Some teenagers biggest difference is the development of the brain, don’t want their parents to know everything that they particularly in the frontal lobe. “All of our parts are the talk about, while others wouldn’t mind at all. After a same, but the connections are different,” Tabor said. while, Cochran tries working with the teenager and “And in the full maturity of the frontal lobe, you have their parents together, which is when the struggles the ability to consider multiple aspects of a problem or between them become obvious. In the end, she can a situation.” One important example Tabor brings up in see that both sides are at fault for their problems. On her psychology class is drinking and driving. She talks

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By Kyra Segraves

The National Alliance on Mental Illness has conducted a study that shows every year 20 percent of adolescents are diagnosed with mental disorders. about how when teenagers consider the consequences, they tend to only think about what would happen to them. They could get arrested, crash, or die. Without the maturity of the frontal lobe, teenagers are likely to forget about consequences like killing or paralyzing someone else. Adults with fully developed brains have a better chance of considering all the consequences and deciding against driving while drunk.

Tabor also notes the hormonal differences in the teen brain. She knows that teenagers think they have more emotional control, even though their hormones are constantly messing with their emotions. “Your body is changing, your glands are excreting all of these different hormones that are changing your body and changing your brain,” Tabor said. “So even though you are capable of great critical thought, analysis, (...) you’re not in full control of your body.” The teenager’s body is flooded with chemicals which skews their emotions. This creates the lack of connections in their brains that would help allow teens to consider more consequences.

Though Tabor understands that hormones play a large part in the development of teenagers, she’s realized that they don’t always have the best side effects.

Samantha Fahnestock, a homeschooled 14-yearold, has to deal with these hormones in herself and in her friends. “Everybody’s on their hormones,” she said. “Everybody has disagreements due to that, and they’re kinda, out of whack, might I say, but the friendships and

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relationships are especially important to a teenager.”

Even though the only teenager Fahnestock sees daily is her sister, she still keeps in touch with her friends through instant messaging. She says she can help them with their relationships, which every teenager seems to have problems with. Fahnestock understands that it’s extremely important for teenagers to have someone to talk to, whether that means being able to talk to their parents or a close friend. She says these relationships are often difficult to keep due to the hormonal problems with teens, which she believes only makes them more important.

Even with all of the problems that teenagers have, people who work with them find teenagers extremely likeable. As a teacher, Tabor enjoys how their differences help her learn more about the teenage mind. “Every time I meet with a student who needs something just a little bit different, it helps me understand better what teenagers need, how to get it across to them, etcetera,” she said. The differences between teenagers and adults teach them how to work together. While they have different views on various situations, they can learn how to compromise and even help each other.

Cochran also learns from working with teenagers.

“I learn something from teenagers all the time,” she said. “I learn about music, you know, I’ll learn about science from them, (...) I learn about all kinds of things, I mean, every session I learn something.” Cochran has realized that when working with teenagers, she learns about how she thinks, what her interests are and much more. She’s seen how different teenagers are from each other and how discussing one topic can create different reactions, allowing her to learn about multiple ideas.

After working with teenagers for 15 years, Cochran has come to a clear conclusion. “I have learned that I am not worried about the next generation,” she said.

“I think the next generation is amazing, I think they’re smart and competent. I feel like our country’s going to be in good hands.”

By Zoe Fahnestock

A study from the Pew Research Center found that four out of five teens own a computer, and two thirds of those who don’t still have access to one in their house. Another study showed that 81 percent of teens that access computers also use some kind of social media.

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TOP TEN TIPS TO TOPPLE YOUR STRESS A step-by-step guide of how to keep from having a mental breakdown every single day.

Story and art by Charles Arscott

If you think you can conquer high school and college without trying to manage your stress, you are going to have a bad time. According to BuzzFeed, the average high school student experiences stress levels equal to asylum patients in the 1950s. Whether it’s working through the drudgery of homework from eight entire classes or juggling three extracurricular activities, keeping your stress under control is a must. Here are 10 helpful tips to keep your room from becoming an olympic-sized swimming pool full of tears.

1. MANAGE YOUR SLEEP

As a young adult, bodies require more sleep than the average individual in order to fully develop healthily. Set a time to go straight to bed, no matter how much progress you have made on your work. Additionally, it will motivate to work faster and more efficiently, according to WIllow Grace, a senior at LASA.

Zzzz...

2. KNOW YOUR TRIGGERS

Next time you become stressed, pay attention to what sets you off, then you can have an easier time attacking the problem.

For example, if you are stressed about going to a meeting, make sure you have extra time that morning to prepare for whatever you need to do.

3. KEEP A POSITIVE ATTITUDE Due to the Nocebo effect, a psychological phenomenon that stimulates real nerves and releases real hormones due to perceived outlooks, keeping a positive attitude will often help produce endorphins and give you more energy, which will help further you to your goals.

4. GO FOR A WALK

Exercise is key to managing your stress, as it helps relieve muscle tension and improve sleep patterns. Walks are also a great way to get away from the noisy stimuli of the office and will help clear your mind of what is bothering you for a few minutes. Additionally, it will produce endorfins.

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5. COMFORT FOODS

While it may not be the healthiest option, satisfying your cravings may at times be the only way to escape from the daily terrors that plague our first-world drama-filled lives. Chocolate, for example, contains flavanols, which increase blood flow to the brain and helps you destress. Additionally, dark chocolate has lots of antioxidants, which help strengthen your immune system.

6. TIDY YOUR ENVIRONMENT

The renowned personal development guru, Wayne Dwyer, says you can tell the state of a person’s mind by the state of their car. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, one of the most effective strategies is to create order in your immediate environment – be it your car, locker, office, or home. As you take charge of your surroundings, your feelings of control will increase. As the esteemed behavioral psychologist Martin Seligman has shown, there’s a strong correlation between feelings of control and well-being.

7. HELP OTHERS

One of the most effective techniques for reducing your stress is to take the focus off yourself. When you start devoting time to helping others around you inevitably spend less time thinking about your own problems. There are several studies from the University of Pennsylvania linking happiness with service to others. It may seem strange to connect the two, but the truth is many people who are stressed in the corporate world are so partly because they are incessantly thinking about their own issues and situation, rather than others. You need to balance the two.

8. MANAGE YOUR PRIORITIES

Although it is important to pay attention to Tip Seven, your stress levels will only increase if you are constantly satisfying others. Think carefully about how helping others will conflict with your own jobs, and on top of everything, learn to say no; you will not hurt anyone’s feelings.

9. SELF EVALUATE

Performing various self-evaluations at the end of each week, month, and year. They will help you realize which work techniques are turning out well for you and which aren’t. These reflections are important for improving your work habits and life choice, but can help you spot poor choices to improve.

TOP TEN STRESS POINTS FOR ADOLESCENTS 1. Getting good grades 2. Fitting in 3. Self-image 4. Health and Appearence 5. Maintaining group of friends 6. Extracurricular Activities 7. Separation of Parents 8. Making important choices 9. Lack of Sleep 10. Romantic Relationships source: Student poll of 25 participants & pamf.org

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10. GET PROFESSIONAL HELP

If you are unable to help yourself, then it is imperative that you seek out the advice of a qualified professional, such as a therapist. You can overcome the stress you are going through, even though you may need a little help. For qualified professionals in the Austin area, see page 8.

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GANGS ON THE RISE What’s behind all the masked faces?

by Charles Arscott

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ust about any teenager in Chicago today can tell you the story of Chief Keef and Lil JoJo, two rappers from the South Side neighborhood of Englewood whose songs serve as anthems for their rival gangs. Keef, an 18-year-old whose real name is Keith Cozart, is the most successful of the city’s emerging “drill” sound rappers (named after a slang term for shooting someone).

Last year, while under house arrest for aiming a gun at a police officer, Cozart uploaded some videos to YouTube that eventually landed him an estimated $6 million deal with Interscope Records. After repeatedly dissing the Tucka Clan, a gang that JoJo belonged to, JoJo retaliated by posting a song, “3HUNNAK,” threatening to shoot Cozart’s fellow gang members. Later that week, while driving through the neighborhood, Lil JoJo was shot to death by members of Keef’s gang, the Black Disciples. Deaths like these are often inciting incidents for long, violent turf wars that many gangs engaged in with their economic adversaries.

The manifestation of these events has since then sparked a long string of violent shootouts on Chicago’s south side.

This incident is the accumulation of decades of a society dominated by organised crime. At the center of the conflict lies the animalistic instincts that have kept humans alive for so many years: defense of property, closelyknit, ethnically similar groups, and hostility towards any rivals that dare overthrow the group. In this special edition of Introspect, we examine how so many people are enticed into joining gangs, and how gangs have evolved socially, physically, and technologically over the years to keep up with the rapidly changing culture they inhabit.

The average recruiting age for a gang member is between 12 to 17 years of age. In response to why teenagers were enticed to join a gang at such an early age, Dr. Peter Wellington, a professor of social work at Texas State University, said that children at this age have largely

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by Snoop Dogg™ finished their self-development, and are now tasked with the ability to relate to others. “As soon as we begin begin puberty,” Wellington said, “our psychological task at hand is the relation to others and fitting into social constructs set by our various peers.” At this point in their lives, people are emerging from traumatic situations inflicted by poverty, lack of family, and little food, and cluster together with similar individuals to survive. “[When] we are thrown out into the world with no idea what to do, we will adopt the mentality of our predecessors and conform to a pack.” When asked what incentives people see in joining gangs, Wellington say that they tend to join when under certain stresses: the desire to make money, seek protection from past victimizations, feel accepted, and achieve a feeling of respect and selfMusicians such as Snoop Dogg frequently worth. “We tend to choose our social praise the gangster lifestyle, and their circles based on similar negative work has heavily influenced gang traits, so the atmosphere of a gang rituals, identifications, and allegiances. creates and reinforces a negative influence for all parties involved.”

“As soon as we These environmental factors can further the extent of which a gang begin puberty, our will go and commit illegal activities. psychological task at

Altogether, there are an estimated number of 1.5 to 1.78 hand is the relation to million people in the United States others and fitting into who identify as belonging to a gang.

According to the website forbes. constructs set by our com, of the thousands of gangs various peers.” currently in operation, the largest in the country are the Crips and the Bloods, each of which comprising

by J. L. Coving of around 20,000 members; both are based in Los Angeles. Although it is highly expected by many crimonologists that the two gangs are managed from the top-down, hardly anyone, even in the gangs, knows who these leaders are. According to Wellington, many high-level gang leader have little to no present interaction with their respective groups, but rather employ a handful of messengers to communicate business and financial matters.

“These leaders have graduated The leaders of the Black Mafia from the need to be accepted by Gang, a prominent organized their fellow members and are crime group in Michegan and now solely present in the gang for Wisconsin, pose for a photo.

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monetary income,” said Wellington.

Leaders often rise through the ranks through committing acts of violence, generating income for the gang, history of presence, and withdrawal from other social activities to interact exclusively with their fellow gang members, often referred to colloquially as a “hardcore gangster.” Gangs are also often managed from inside a prison. In this case, messengers will often commit petty crimes in order to communicate with the gang leader. Once they are released, they will act on the leader’s orders and set aside a sum of money for him when he has finished his sentence.

According to Mathew O’Dean’s “Gangs: Theory, Practice, and Research”, gangs are often managed through a combination of enforcement, intimidation, and bribery. Invitations to join are usually reinforced by peer pressures, as is remaining in the group in order to protect one’s sense of pride and masculinity. Unless there is a dispute between rival gangs over territory, many shed little blood and no longer long for the sensationalized violence that may have attracted them in the first place: money is the first priority. In the criminal world, tattoos are a popular means of effective means of communication towards other gang members, often documenting gang allegiance, social status, connections, and illegal activity committed. In debtridden communities that struggle to pay public workers, police officers can often be bribed by gangs in order to ignore presence and distribution of illegal substances or firearms. Gangs are usually founded upon a mistrustful or anti-authority stance and, like cults, use these psychological manipulations in order to maintain group membership through routine executions of certain practices, alterations of the body, and blackmail. Several government programs have been attempted to reach out to stop gang violence, but to no avail. Perhaps, according to Elizabeth Roberts, a psychiatrist in Austin, “Offenders

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by Universal Pictures

M

Many modern-day American movies have numerous themes inspired by gang culture and the role in plays in America’s markets, roles and passtimes.

“These leaders have graduated from the need to be accepted by their fellow members and are now solely present in the gang for monetary income.”

by Neo Wurks

often have shown sensitivity to being labelled, stereotyped or judged. It is important that facilitators and managers of interventions find ways of constructively working with these issues.” This labelling further lends to the idea that victimization is a key element in attracting new members.

A study conducted by the University of Rochester in 2011 has shown that reports of these activities have risen almost 30 percent since 1975. Many have been unsure what has led to this drastic increase in organized crime, until psychologists like Wellington proposed an interesting hypothesis.“Gangs are an ever-growing problem in developed countries because our cultures are so materialistic,” Wellington said.

He argues that in an age where everything is commoditized, moral and ethical values become less important and give way to the evergrowing desire to make money to support the lifestyle promised to bring one happiness. Additionally, the technological world has allowed access of explicit materials that can influence young people.

Wellington also cites the media’s glorification of an illegal activities, violence, and drugs as one of the key factors in affecting the lifestyles that economically-disadvantaged persons will decide to live. “How can you not expect people to turn to the lifestyle they’re always hearing about?” As the world becomes more and more connected, no one can be sure where organized crime as we know it will go; it seems for now the only thing we can do is hope.

“How can you not expect people to turn to the lifestyle they’re always hearing about?”

Many individuals will dissimilate from all other social activities and will begin to only relate to their companions involved in their respective gang.

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EXPERIENCE THE COLLECTIVE KNOWLEDGE OF THE WORLD

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AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY Spring 2014

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Photo by Avani Sastry

SHATTERED REALITIES

Inside the cult mind

By Avani Sastry 22

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isitors gather at The Radha Madhav Dham Temple on Nov. 3. A long time fixture of Hindu faith throughout the country, The Radha Madhav Dham Temple offers a litany of events, including youth camps, devotional weekends, and inter-faith volunteerism. One of its most prolific events for the Austin Hindu community is Diwali, or the festival of lights. Barefoot children cry out in triumph as they clamber up the sides of the gargantuan rocks that lay asunder near the grounds, while their parents watch in quiet amusement, murmuring rapid fire amalgamations of Indian languages and English. This is a familiar site for Indian-Americans, though all those present are in the process of ignoring the ongoing sex scandal that has transformed the once respected temple forever.

Alleged charges have been placed against the former guru of the temple, Prakashanand Saraswati, of twenty counts of indecency with a child. According to the accusations, Saraswati sexually assaulted two girls whose parents were living on the site of the temple, then called Barsana Dham. After years of delays, Saraswati went before court, where the devotional parents defended the guru, accusing their daughters of fabricating the stories. This is not the only tale of abuse in religious contexts that occurs throughout the world. Groups that perform these acts are classified by a variety of names: sects, charismatic groups, and most often, cults. No matter the name, all of these groups share one common link: they all, in some way, traumatize their members.

“People don’t join a cult. They join something that they have been deceived into believing [is] the most wonderful group of people with a wonderful cause and a way to make a difference in the world,” said Carol Giambalvo. A renowned “exit” counselor (a counselor that specializes in assisting victims of abusive cults), Giambalvo had personal experience when her stepdaughter joined the Hare Krishna group.

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By “Queenie of Bees”

Giambalvo doesn’t speak of the ghoulish tales of Satanism and sacrifice that haunt popular culture’s perception of cultism. Classic horror novels like C. S. Lewis’ That Hideous Strength and modern thrillers like horror game Fatal Frame reinforce the stereotypes of cults being grotesque collections of the inhuman living on the fringe of society. Yet, Giambalvo speaks of the human need for religion and spirituality, and how that desire can lead to trauma and harm at the hand of an abusive leader. An Assistant Professor in the Department of Religious Studies at The University of Texas at Austin, Chad Seales spoke on the human need for religion.

“What people are doing when they convert to a religion or practice is that they’re looking to make meaning out of their lives, and to position themselves within a larger sacred cosmos,” Seales explained.

“[People are] looking to make meaning out of their lives.”

His words are echoed by those that have sought to understand religion for centuries. A complex problem going back to the foundation of philosophy, Seales described the many ways that religion has been defined. “One approach says... religion is of its own essence, and can’t be reduced to any social

Pictured is the protagonist of Marthy Marcy May Marlene, a film about a recovering cult victim. factors or economic causes. Other academics say we need to come up with better definitions of religion, and we can work together to define them. A contrasting example would be Karl Marx...[who] would consider religion to be an ideology reflecting other forces, like economic forces...

Sigmund Freud would say religion is really evolved consciousness or illusion. A third approach would be

by Emile Durkheim, a sociologist who would say religion is a social glue, and it’s what binds society together.

These varied definitions on religion represent a complex problem that makes defining insidious groups or cults difficult.

Yet, those that specialize in working with abusive spiritual groups have defined how cults differ from peaceful spiritual groups.

“Cults clearly differ from such purely authoritarian groups as the military, some types of sects and communes, and centuries-old Roman Catholic and Greek and Russian Orthodox Orders. These groups, though rigid and controlling, lack a double agenda and are not manipulative or leader-centered,” psychologist Dr. Margaret Singer explained in Cults in Our Midst, her magnum opus on the psychology of cults.

Published in 1996, the book remains to be an authoritative text

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By: Beyond the Camera Lens

Rose said, a professor thus convince them to join a cult. of Social Psychology at Coercive persuasion programs are The University of Texas at practiced, deliberate, and effective, Austin. Rose described how and spiritual abuse psychologists vulnerable conditions for consider them to be a form of abuse an individual can lead to not related to peaceful conversion religious conversion. The attempts. Coercive persuasion can International Cultic Studies be employed after conversion has Association suggests that occurred to continue to manipulate A screenshot from “Fatal Frame,” a horror video transitional life crises, like the victim. game dramatizing cult activities. This follows the Giambalvo explained above, “If persuasion becomes a tradition of dramatizing the grotesque aspects can lead to spiritual or demand that other people put of cults. religious changes that one on you, that you have to do these on the recognition of and recovery would normally not perform. things or you’ll either be kicked of cults. “The differences become “Some tactics broadly used for out of the group or if physical apparent when we examine the religious conversion would include harm will come upon you, then it’s intensity and pervasiveness with sleep deprivation. Sociological no longer a voluntary association, which mind-manipulating techniques studies have shown that when people and it becomes more of a coercive and deceptions are or are not are sleep deprived they’re more situation,” Seales explained. applied... In [cults] there is deliberate likely to... Make some kind of change Aside from secrecy, deception about what the group is in their life or commit themselves to a authoritarianism, and coercive and what some of the rituals might certain religious practice or belief,” practices, many cults share another be, and primarily, there is deception Seales continued. This tactic has common link. A charismatic figure. about what the ultimate goal will be been used by evangelical or baptist This figure is the leader of the cult, for a member, what will ultimately be revivals, in which participants (often often considered to have achieved demanded and expected, and what adolescent or college aged), are spiritual enlightenment or to have the damages resulting from some of deprived of sleep for a weekend. achieved some status greater than the practices might be.”

The experience is supposed to the members of the cult. This figure As Singer discussed in her work, evoke an enlightened experience. is often treated with reverence or abusive groups take painstaking Yet, spiritually abusive groups absolute worship, which can allow methods to obscure their intents can use these events to convert for the development of a religious and practices, appearing as an ideal members while they are in a state of practice into a harmful situation. group that has achieved spiritual mental stress or weakness.

“Groups use experiential enlightenment.

An individual methods to make the leader look Sleep deprivation is one of the approached to join is not likely to minor tactics used in comparison to as though they are ultra special, identify it as a cult immediately, yet other conversion programs. One of have special abilities, special many do not convert. the most widely discussed tactics relationships with the universe, “The majority of people who in spiritual abuse psychology is knows all, has the only path available have been in a ‘cult’ were in a very coercive persuasion, one of the to save,” Giambalvo explained. The normal transition stage in life such characteristic exemplifications of a charismatic leader is key to whether as going away to college, leaving cult. or not a cult is successful and retains college, loss of a relationship or “Coercive persuasion is a its members. death of a loved one, mid-life crisis, subtle, compelling psychological “[The] key figure has a type moving to a different place,” said force which attacks an even more of charisma, it’s more of a personal Giambalvo. “[These are] all very fundamental and important freedom charisma or individual charisma, normal transitions that make us a bit than our ‘freedom of religion,” Singer and so the success of that group is more vulnerable to influence. We’re explained. “Its reprehensibility and really dependent upon that one looking for a way to feel that we danger is that it attacks our self- Members of the Rajneeshpuram belong.” determinism and free will, our cult wait to greet charismatic figure This echoes the familiar need most fundamental constitutional Rajnees in a daily ritual of devotion. for spiritual and religious guidance. freedoms.”

Giambalvo, Seales, and other experts The definition of coercive suggest that the need for religious persuasion is contested, as it guidance and conversion to a is hard to define and harder to spiritually abusive group are one and persecute. The harm of coercive the same. persuasion is the continuous “Anyone is susceptible to manipulation of the victim, to dangerous influence,” Dr. Mary alter their concept of reality and

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By: “Gaura”

individual,” Seales expanded.

His studies have included leader charisma, due to the common nature of this in both harmless religious groups and cults. The defining characteristic is how the charismatic figure of a cult can abuse his/her power and traumatize the members. “[H]ow persuasive he is, how good of a speaker he is, how well he’s able to get people to follow him...after that figure dies, that charisma has to be institutionalized.”

The institutionalization of this charisma is essential to both mainstream religions and insidious groups.How the group goes about this can be a characterizing difference.

Modern mainstream religions like Islam and Christianity were able to achieve this institutionalization of figures like Mohammed and Jesus Christ, allowing for their practices to be enduring today. The institutionalization allows for the members to feel as if they are part of a greater religious understanding, and carries on the fundamental message. The time passing gives the importance of the figure legitimacy, particularly when the new leaders exalt this initial charismatic figure. “[Cults] [m]anipulate a system of rewards, punishments, and experiences in order to promote learning the group’s ideology or belief system and group-approved behaviors,” said Singer. This system allows for the institutionalization of charisma and the mental reform of the individual. This system is often combined with coercive persuasion to convert and create a docile follower that will advance the group goals.

There a litany of methods that cults use to maintain control over their members. These methods are most familiar to the public as “brainwashing”, though they are not “reprogramming” or fundamentally altering the minds of the victim, as horror stories have spoken of.

Rather, they use systematic methods to reduce the critical thinking capacity of the individual, allowing for greater control and manipulation.

These methods are another way

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of identifying cults Below: A parade at a festival hosted by against harmless the Hare Krishna group in Moscow. Hare Krishna is considered a cult by many . religious groups.

“There is a great amount of altered states used … whether hypnosis or repeated patterns … anything that will put one in a state where they cannot access their critical thinking, they are only open to the suggestions being given,” Giambalvo explained.

These “altered states” are a characteristic sign of thought spontaneous but in fact were reform programs. The repeated planned and orchestrated by the patterns lull the victims into a state group or its leaders in order to of tired indifference, and the mental demonstrate divine authority or duress is translated to a spiritual spiritual advancement,” said Robert experience that can be used to Lifton, a psychologist famed for manipulate victims. coining the thought reform theory. “[S]ome special gift or talent that will “An unhealthy boundary then allow the leader to reinterpret scripture, and experiences as is built between you and events, he or she wishes.”

Mystical manipulation is an the outside world.” integral way that charismatic leaders The usage of these altered maintain their power over the victims states to evoke supposedly spiritual of the cult. The orchestrated events experiences is called mystical give legitimacy to potentially harmful manipulation. It is used to coerce activities, impairing judgement potential recruits into staying with abilities and critical thinking. Cult the cult and impress a sense of members also can recall these power and fear into those that are experiences when justifying actions members. Cult members that may that they may have considered be questioning their decision in unethical pre-cult. joining do not want to leave, for Establishing legitimacy can that would mean rejecting the basic demonstrate superiority, which philosophy that they have rebuilt is necessary for dividing the cult their life upon. They are looking from the outside world. Charismatic for assurance that their newfound groups maintain divisions between views about the world are correct, themselves and external forces to for they do not want to admit that prevent loss of membership and they made a poor decision and the depletion of power. Social isolation ramifications of those decisions. is an integral part of this process.

Mystical manipulation provides Connections with external people incentive for the members by can shed light on illegal, illicit, giving the appearance of continued or dangerous practices, and can mysticism. It also contributes to the weaken the power that the leader or elitist attitude that some groups leaders have on the people. Social may take on, giving the members isolation is heavily employed by the a sense of spiritual superiority in cults. comparison with the outside world.

This can include requiring “There is manipulation that cult members live in a closed of experiences that appear area (e.g. a compound or temple),

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By “Abaasa”

requiring cult members only live 8 CHARACTERISTICS OF A CULT together, and/or forbidding victims from associating with pre-cult 1. Environmental Control 5. Sacred Science family or friends. The group can 6. Loaded Language also force the individual to abolish 2. Mystical Manipulation all old practices and leave external 3. Demand for Purity 7. Doctrine Over Person groups, schools, or other organized 8. Dispensing of Existence events, and instead pursue leader- 4. Cult of Confession sanctioned activities and events.

Cult expert Robert J. Lifton laid out the above eight characteristics “[T]he outside world is made to of cults in his ground breaking research. Cults use the above look as something that will take you techniques to force victims into a state of obedience and fear. away from the group....an unhealthy Through planned mystical activities the spiritual experience is boundary is built up between you and the “outside world,” including reshaped, leading to increased dependence on the cult. relationships as important as family,” Giambalvo discussed, explaining others on the cult experience and or “normal.” The constant experiences provides therapeutic stress relief that cult leaders elicit create a closed the processes of social isolation. through The Phoenix Project, a mind set, in which the victim is led to project to display the art of ex-cult believe that their group alone holds “I had to leave behind members. some sacred truth or power. my lifelong friends, sell “I had to deny my own interests “This closed mind set often and be open to other ways of doing extends to edicts on personal life; my books and vintage things, or deem things important clothing, occupation, ministry clothing, and throw away that I did not truly find interesting location and even marital choices or important,” Pletts recalled. “I had may be prescribed. Independent a considerable vinyl to leave behind my lifelong friends, thinking, particularly any close music collection.” sell my books and vintage clothing, analysis of the group’s belief system, Groups often justify social and throw away a considerable vinyl is considered a sign of dissension isolation and barriers by claiming music collection.” Pletts was also and disloyalty,” said Dr. Graham that the family members, friends, and forced to give up her lifelong love Barker. Barker is a senior lecturer in prior activities were “poisonous” or of art in order to pursue electrical the Graduate School of Counseling “harmful” to the individual. Under technology. She was told that these at The Wesley Institute and owner of the guise of protection they are choices were better for her, as cult a successful clinical practice. capable of persuading the individual members often are. They are forced Barker is describing what to isolate themselves, while the to give away their free will to a is often called the “black and individual maintains their internal supposed higher power, and thus white” mentality by spiritual abuse belief of self-control. are manipulated into performing professionals. In the “black and One person that suffered at the events that harm themselves and/or white” mentality, cults form the inner hands of such a fate was Diana Pletts. others. mentality of excluding the outside A former member of the charismatic Popular culture often depicts cults and giving complete submission to group The Path, Pletts educates as worshipping demons or spirits, or the cult in order to achieve salvation. having grotesque Victims’ experiences are interpreted practice or intensely through doctrine, and are taught A protest again the Aum Shimriyko, a Japanese cult. assaultive experiences. that every thought or experience Protests like this show a growing awareness from The power and the somehow fits into the ideology that the public about the dangers of charismatic groups. harm of the cult is not the cult doctrine provides. If they derived from physical leave the cult, they lose any chance experience, but from at salvation. mental subservience.

Cult leaders use Since past experiences are a wide variety of interpreted through this black and methods to manipulate white doctrine, cult members are and control their told that prior influences on their life members. This is were harming them or preventing what distinguishes them from achieving salvation. them from peaceful “The relationship with family religious practices that changes … if the family is concerned are not “mainstream” and/or questioning,” explained

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By: “AndroidCat”

Giambalvo. “[Victims] withdraw because the group teaches them that prior family and friends will only try to get them back to that ‘Old person.’”

This consistent paranoia of the outside is a clear sign of cultism or cultist behaviors. This is one of many changes that victims undergo.

This is because victims are forced to go through a complete revision of identity and self to conform to cultist required norms or ideals.

This is one of the fundamental differences between unhealthy cults and healthy sects or religions.

One of the driving factors behind cults is the wish to exact change upon the individual in a coercive or unhealthy way, often through dishonest practices.

“The person’s identity is usually a major change. One’s identity has to do with our interests, our thoughts, feelings, talents and relationship with others,” Giambalvo continued. “Along comes this group who has the most wonderful purpose, community, ideology...This is how the group presents itself to a recruit. So it’s very important to make oneself over into the personality of the leader/leadership.”

The absolute worship of the charismatic leader required by the cult has deep effects on the personal level, including the individual’s interpretation of the world around them. As Giambalvo explained, this causes a fundamental change in identity. This change in identity can be one of the biggest factors in spiritual abuse occurs. When one feels that a certain religious or spiritual experience is a part of them, that it defines themselves and their lives, it can be hard to rescind that identity even when abuse is occurring. When cult leaders or ideologies force members to make themselves in the image of the leader, they are denying the individual the fundamental factor of self-definition and self-recognition, which allows for horrific acts to occur. These horrific acts can even encompass parents supporting

going, even when they are in an abusive position.”

That is one of the biggest reasons that victims aren’t able to come to terms with their own abuse. The perception that they made a decision to convert makes it unbearable to admit that the repercussions of their actions. The admission that a fundamental part of identity is corruptive is extremely hard. To recant that identity is to recant experience and recant self, which is contradictory to the A stress test, a measurement of a person’s spirituality, doctrine that has is used to convert individuals to Scientology and been impressed instill a need of the cult, a common conversion tactic. upon the victim.

Yet, the situation isn’t their charismatic leader over their entirely unsalvageable. Despite the own abused children. fact that victims are more likely to “[E]ven when [victims] go through close themselves off against family traumatic experiences in a religious members and friends, loved ones tradition, and even if they sort of can still take action to assist those recant what believe, they may still that need it, even if they do not admit claim that religious identity because or realize it. An impartial, outsider it’s such a big part of their life,” said view of the situation allows for Seales. Nearly three-quarters of the critical and rational thinking that the world identifies with religious or victim may not possess. spiritual experience. Any number “Families affected in this way of those people can be undergoing need to get some help to understand abuse in that religious context but what is going on in their loved one’s life with the group,” said Giambalvo. rather than question the person “Families affected in this “And when they see something seriously wrong, they need to get help to way need to get some understand some communication help to understand that will keep the person in a what is going on in their relationship with them.”

One of the best things a loved loved one’s life with the one can do to help a victim is to have a full and holistic understanding of group.” the problem, so they best know how to approach the victim and appeal not recognize it due to it being a to their critical and rational thinking fundamental part of who they are. ability. Family members and friends “When people are questioning can reach out to exit counselors, or themselves when they’re in a counselors that specifically assist spiritually abusive experience, they in helping people recover from don’t want to admit it to themselves, spiritually traumatic events. Health because that’s like admitting that professionals and spiritual trauma everything they know is wrong,” specialists can help in creating the Rose explained. “So they keep communication needed between

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the victim and the outside world.

Once cult victims leave (or the cult is broken up or ends in some fashion), the healing process must occur. One can not simply leave a cult and resume life in a normal fashion, especially if they were born into it.Victims must be able to able to form a new identity and rehabilitate their critical thinking skills in order to make independent and healthy decisions.

The road to this state of mental equilibrium is trying and requires the support of loved ones, as well as exit counselors or other health professionals.

“Healing often begins with confronting and dismantling the rules that governed the group.”

“Healing often begins with confronting and dismantling the rules that governed the group,” said Barker. Confrontation of the charismatic group will allow for victims to make the fundamental realization that will free them from the abuse. “This needs to be done in a safe and confidential setting, and the survivor has to find someone they can trust.”

Victims often have problems trusting individuals due to the indoctrination of their group. After spending an extended period of time in a black and white setting where the external world is untrustworthy and wrong, victims still hold those internal beliefs when they leave the cult. They have to be able to confront their trauma with someone who has proven their trustworthiness, and whose experience is one of compassion, caring, or experience that overcomes doctrine.

Critical thinking is an integral aspect of recovery. This was what the cult eroded when the individual joined, and this is what allows for assimilation into society. Critical thinking allows for the individual to make judgment calls for

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their personal needs and allows them to stay away from harmful forces. Without critical thinking, the individual is susceptible to dangerous or subversive influence.

In addition to receiving support from loved ones and health professionals, it is healthy for victims to connect with other victims. Cult members are then able to overcome their internal feelings of solitude and loneliness and rebuild empathetic ability towards other people, by connecting with others that have shared their experience.

This relationship is facilitated in a variety of ways, including in Diana Pletts’ The Phoenix Project.

An ambitious undertaking, Pletts’ Phoenix Project allows former cult members to submit artwork to be showcased at the International Cultic Studies Association’ annual conference, for artists to foster a meaningful relationship with those that can empathize. The widely respected project provides a creative and emotional outlet for victims and members, as well as rebuilding lost skills and providing a way to empathize with others in a safe and trusted environment.

“I think that when we see that someone else has gone through something similar we are able to relate to it, and to know that we are not alone. And, eventually, to have some feeling of empathy for someone else who has been hurt, not just us,” said Pletts, when discussing the benefits of The Project. “This return to empathy is a human need that is perhaps removed in some cult situations where someone is in so much pain and denial of reality, [of] themselves.”

By Diana Pletts

“Phoenix Rising”, Diana Pletts’ iconic work. Is often featured at Phoenix Project and International Cultic Associations events.

THE ROAD TO RECOVERY 1. Seek exit counselling.

Professional help is the best and most effective way to recover

after a harmful experience.

2. Connect with trusted family or friends.

Connect with the loved ones you may have left behind during your experience. It’s okay to seek out help: and it’s best to have a support system during the process.

3. Attend seminars and workshops designed for post-cult people.

There are many workshops and seminars to benefit people in all aspects of life. Whether it’s rebuilding your critical thinking or seeking help to find a job, these short events can make a long impact.

4. Rebuild your critical thinking skills through daily activities.

Critical thinking is the number one thing cults take away from their victims. Rebuild your critical thinking through simple activities.

Write a journal. Discuss and debate TV shows. Follow and analyze the news. Try new foods.

5. Reconnect with the person you were, and discover the person that you want to be.

What ever makes you happy, whatever piques your interest, do it. Be sure to maintain a safe environment and check in with trusted loved ones when trying new things.

Spring 2014

RECHARGE

CHARLES’ COLD BEVERAGES

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YOUR GUIDE TO WORLD DOMINATION Story and art by Avani Sastry Facebook and Twitter assisted in organizing protests during Arab Spring. The United States government developed an app for Cuban political conversation. Healthcare.gov surged with popularity after an online video goes viral. With every technological curveball, the game of politics has changed entirely.

Yet, fundamental philosophies of domination and power remain, throughout centuries of civilizations morphing and shifting into unrecognizable forms. For the aspiring teenage potentate, a key understanding of the triumphs and mistakes of the past is necessary to shape the future. That’s why we consulted a few authoritative texts (Neil Kagan’s Concise History of the World, Santon and McKay’s Atlas of World History) to analyze a history of world leaders, unearthing their triumphs and flaws for you to learn from.

ALEXANDER THE GREAT HIGHLIGHTS

DOWNFALLS

Alexander the Great certainly lives up to his name. His classical education gives him an intellectual edge, and his Godlike reputation endures even today. We love how Alexander didn’t settle for pyramids--he built a city in his name, a lasting center for education and the arts. Talk about class.

Everyone has their downfall, and Alexander’s is in mistreating his people.

A troop mutiny in an integral conquest in India caused Alexander to turn back, eventually dying in Alexandria. Moral of the story? Treat your people right. Or they might hop off the elephants and turn around home.

GENGHIS KHAN

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HIGHLIGHTS

DOWNFALLS

If anyone understands The American Dream, it’s Genghis Khan. From being cast out of one tribe to leading another, this mad mustache is the definition of upward mobility.

He kept his subjects in check with some strict legislature, and his descendants ruled the Mongols for years to come.

Like many great warlords, Genghis Khan died with glory in the midst of battle. Yet, this is a cautionary tale for those of you inclined towards the warzone. As you age, stay off the field and in the office.

Infantry are expendable, but you are needed for the war.

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NAPOLEON BONAPARTE HIGHLIGHTS

DOWNFALLS

This little guy packs a lot of action. Napoleon didn’t let his height get in the way as he used charisma to win the hearts of the people. A campaign to conquer Europe wouldn’t have worked for any other Frenchie, but his confidence and tactical brilliance led to a beautiful

Napoleon’s reign came to an end with an ill-fated venture into Russia. Little did he know that charging into Russia in the midst of Winter might be a little chilly.

Moral of the story: don’t let pride get in the way. A little research goes a long way, especially when dealing with

ADOLF HITLER HIGHLIGHTS

DOWNFALLS

Hitler’s rise to power is a cautionary tale, in which a combination of charisma and timing led to the worst degratation of human rights in history. So we say to you, potential potentate: act with caution and compassion. Do not allow your ambitions to overshadow your morality.

Seems like someone didn’t pass history class. Like Napoleon, Hitler too found his downfall in the cold heart of Russia. You won’t make this mistake though. Reading this magazine is giving you the tools you need to keep from making history’s worst mistakes.

VLADIMIR PUTIN: A CZAR FOR THE MODERN WORLD

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HIGHLIGHTS

DOWNFALLS

Vladmir Putin is our pick for the most powerful world leader of today. His no-nonsense attitude and brilliant tactical ability is making Putin a force to stay.

The West is scrambling as Putin plays a calculated game of chess with Europe, Using Russian pride as a rallying point, Putin’s keeping the people at home happy.

Vlad hasn’t had his downfall yet, but we have a few predictions. A faltering economy will turn against him, as unrest among the proliterate can turn against him. Western sanctions aren’t helping the situation, and this cold-blooded Czar could just be dethroned.

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the new generation of psychologists

starts here apply now

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