The Landmark Education group: Sounds like a cult to me

[Apotheosis]

Got roped into an introductory meeting to this group by someone I know. Was a very short "this is what landmark offers...". Now, I went into the thing thinking it was a continuing education type of program, and by the end of the meeting I thought to myself, hmmmm, these people give me the "Scientologist" vibe. Upon thinking about it some more, I realized they employed a number of techniques that "confidence people" use in order to operate their audience. Also, having had training in marketing and psychology, I noticed a few other things about the whole introductory meeting that were perfect for getting people to spend money.

Eventually, I found out that these people, like scientologists, have higher level courses, which of course, cost major $$$.

After returning from the meeting, I entered landmark education +cult into the search engine and turned up the second website I listed.


http://www.landmarkeducation.com/

http://www.rickross.com/groups/landmark.html


In the grand scheme of things, I don't exactly disagree with what they're "selling" (skills that I believe people should learn to better manage their lives).
At the same time, I am fairly disturbed by the way in which they indoctrinate people into their "group", and it reeks of Multi-Level Marketing (think Amway) + brainwashing.

Has anyone come across this group?

[Warriorbird]

Holy shit man. Stay away. est was scary stuff.

[Apotheosis]

Please elaborate WB

[Tsa`ah]

A bit dated but this is the guy who came under congressional cross hairs (or at least federal dollars funding training of management level federal and FAA employees) in the late 80's and early 90's.

Some of the footage I saw showed this guy, and his employees, walk into seminars of 20-40 federal and FAA managers and just demoralize them and teach them to do the same to their subordinates.

I'm surprised this schmuck is still allowed to "train" and "teach".

[HarmNone]

Not to mention they're charging people money to be taught things that could be learned just as easily from the many books that are out on this subject, coupled with a modicum of common sense.

[Skirmisher]

I went to an Amway meeting once to pacify a friend who was waaaay into it.

It pains me that people are so slow on the uptake as to actually join up.

[Apotheosis]

All I could think was, damn, I need to learn these people's sales techniques. =D

[Stanley Burrell]

That's pretty much what any other belief system would look like if it were concocted in the latent information age :shrug:

[Apotheosis]

Please elaborate, Stanley.

BTW good to have you back (I know it's a bit late)

[Daniel]

Not to mention they're charging people money to be taught things that could be learned just as easily from the many books that are out on this subject, coupled with a modicum of common sense.


Better be careful. You may begin to undermine the entire eduational system that our society is based upon.

[Gan]

Nothing like appealing to someone's sense of guilt or greed, bolster their pride by making it somewhat exclusive, then hitting them with exhorbitant fees for something that could be obtained with a little common sense and effort. Then once they are neck deep, let them do the same to other fresh recruits, minus a small percentage for the 'higher ups'.

Too bad its exponentially illegal.