#361 – Aaron Smith-Levin: Scientology
Lex Fridman Podcast
The Devil will not be ugly, but charismatic
Ideas that sound appealing can become dangerous. It is important to take ideas seriously and understand where they can go wrong. Caricaturing and making fun of ideas does not help to understand their potential dangers. The devil is charismatic, not a caricature. Understanding the appeal of dangerous ideas can help prevent their negative effects. Empathy is necessary to reach people influenced by charismatic leaders. Making fun of these leaders as caricatures misses the point. Hitler and other charismatic leaders influenced millions of people, causing suffering. Scientology, being close to the core of America, offers an interesting study of the beauty and power of ideas and where things can go wrong.
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