Socrates seems to imply that it's possible to outthink LGATs like Landmark and someone properly briefed will be immune to their techniques.
At this point it seems important to point out the obvious.
Why engage them at all?
Landmark, Lifespring, EST, the Forum, Sterling Institute of Relationship are all LGATs listed within the Ross Institute database.
See [
www.culteducation.com]
They have well-documented troubled histories, which is reflected through numerous press articles, reports and personal testimonies. Some have been sued for personal injury and there are breakdowns reported.
So why take the risk by attending such troubled programs?
It is certainly not necessary, as there are many alternatives such as licensed mental health professionals for counseling, licensed marriage and family counselors, support groups through established community social services and continuing education available through local colleges.
All these resources, unlike LGATs, have properly trained, credentialed, licensed and supervised staff that can effectively be held accountable by participants.
This provides safety.
And why would anyone want to attend an LGAT that requires you to sign paperwork that essentially relinquishes civil rights, such as free speech, or to sue someone in open court with a jury?
It seems unwise, given the reported problems and circumstances easily accessible, to even begin to engage these LGATs.
Don't think you can outsmart them.
This is not a game and the inherent reported risks are quite serious.
Clinical psychologist Philip Cushman researched this subject and offered a paper about the pattern of historical problems posed by "mass marathon training" (otherwise known as LGATs).
See [
www.culteducation.com]
Please understand that David Koresh's second in command Wayne Martin was a Harvard Law School graduate. And a MD mixed the "Kool-Aid" at Jonestown.
Cults and controversial LGATs take in smart well-educated people all the time.
For example, a brilliant surgeon was the focus of one intervention I handled regarding Landmark Education.
It seems important to point all this out.
It appears that some of the discussion lately implies that if you "think harder" you can somehow immunize yourself regarding the effects of an LGAT.
Common sense would seem to dictate, why bother?
Also such advice appears to imply that the victims of LGATs may be responsible for the damage done to them within such programs, i.e. if they had only "thought harder" it would not have happened.
In my experience this is not true.
Caught within such a milieu the participant is not in control, the LGAT is. And the environment lends itself to the group leader's coercive persuasion techniques.
See [
www.culteducation.com]
Again, common sense would seem to lead people away from the needless risks linked to involvement with such groups.