In this engaging discussion, former Waldorf educator Maggie Smith shares her eye-opening experiences within the Waldorf school system, known for its unique arts-based approach to education. She reveals the unsettling realities of its anti-science ideology and rigid devotion to founder Rudolf Steiner. The conversation dives into the school's enchanting practices versus the problematic undercurrents of hierarchy and spiritual philosophies. Maggie candidly reflects on her journey, exploring how idealism can mask deeper cult-like dynamics in educational environments.
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Maggie's Waldorf Journey
Maggie Smith, a former Waldorf teacher, attended a Waldorf school in 7th and 8th grade.
She later pursued Waldorf teacher training, drawn to the seemingly magical environment.
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Unexpected Doctrine
Waldorf teacher training involved studying Rudolf Steiner's anthroposophical texts not from an academic perspective, but as if they were absolute truths.
This implicit expectation of belief in Steiner's spiritual science was unsettling for Maggie, who struggled with its contradictions to modern science.
insights INSIGHT
Steiner's Racist Views
Steiner's philosophy, Anthroposophy, proposed a racial hierarchy linked to spiritual development, a view Waldorf schools now condemn.
Steiner believed that through reincarnation, people could ascend to higher races, culminating in European as the highest.
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In 'Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism,' Amanda Montell argues that the key to manufacturing intense ideology, community, and us/them attitudes in cults and cult-like groups lies in the use of language. The book delves into the verbal elements that make these communities 'cultish,' including the redefinition of words, euphemisms, and other linguistic tricks. Montell analyzes various groups such as Jonestown, Scientology, NXIVM, and even modern entities like SoulCycle and social media influencers, highlighting how these groups use language to create a sense of belonging and loyalty. The book is praised for its engaging narrative, original research, and incisive analysis of the power of language in shaping human behavior.
The Age of Magical Overthinking
Notes on Modern Irrationality
Amanda Montell
Word Slut
Word Slut
A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language
Amanda Montell
Word Slut is a witty and insightful exploration of the complexities of language, particularly focusing on words that are often deemed offensive or taboo. Amanda Montell challenges societal norms and expectations surrounding language, arguing for a more nuanced and inclusive approach to word usage. The book examines the historical and cultural contexts of various words, demonstrating how their meanings and connotations have evolved over time. Montell encourages readers to reclaim words that have been weaponized against marginalized groups, promoting a more empowering and liberating relationship with language. Ultimately, Word Slut is a call for reclaiming language and using it as a tool for social justice and personal expression.
If you’ve ever met a kid who could knit a scarf before they could read, you might already be familiar with this week's "cult." With their dreamy, arts-infused approach to education (think: seasonal festivals, storytelling over standardized testing), Waldorf schools promise a ~holistic utopia for young minds~. But behind the fairy tale façade lurks a past (and present) steeped in, oh y'know, anti-science ideology, claims of clairvoyance, weird "karma" stuff, problematic hierarchies, and a suspiciously rigid devotion to its 1920s founder, Rudolf Steiner. And that's just the beginning! This week, Amanda and Reese break down the culty undercurrents of Waldorf Schools with the help of former Waldorf educator Maggie Smith, who was kicked out of the movement and lived to tell the tale. Is Waldorf a harmless hippie haven? Or an expensive lesson on us vs. them dynamics? Tune in as we unravel its hand-spun, naturally dyed, organic threads!
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Sounds Like A Cult 
