Landmark Advanced Course Info needed
Date: November 22, 2003 09:13AM
The subtitle of a book written in the 1970s about these groups is, "America's Epidemic of Sudden Personality Change." (The title is "Snapping.") The authors, Flo Conway and Jim Siegelman, give specific references to est, the precursor to Landmark, which are, I believe, removed from subsequent editions of the book. The "Advanced Course" is probably where the heavy-duty indoctrination goes on. Anyone who continues to sign up for more programs has proven themselves vulnerable to manipulation and control. Potential slave labor, so to speak.
Sudden personality change was something that characterised victims from the beginning. These groups use sophisticated and potent techniques to reorder, derange, disturb, and in some cases destroy what was normal functioning in certain more vulnerable or impressionable people. They are psychological con artists and as sleazy as they get.
Landmark and est figure prominantly in almost every book, essay, article, and study concerning cults and cult mind control written in the last 30 years. This is no Johnny-come-lately organisation. They have had a long history in manipulating, exploiting, and abusing people that has come down from various religious "conversion" tactics, influence tactics, persuasion tactics, door-to-door sales techniques, pyramid schemes, group psychology, propaganda, advertising and public relations tricks.
What puzzles me is the success these idiots have with the "awareness" equivalent of high pressure telemarketing or "network marketing" or time-share condo sales tricks. (They call it "tech," or "technology.") It's really the bottom of the barrel of salesmanship. (If there is a bottom. Or a top.)
Be careful with your friend. She has been programmed to disbelieve anything you say of a negative or critical nature about the organisation. Educate yourself and keep your distance. Align yourself with her friends or family who are not involved with Landmark. It may be awhile.
Best to you,
Ellen