Law 27: Play on People’s Need to Believe to Create a Cultlike Following: The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
People have an overwhelming desire to believe in something. This is why religion, political movements, and even sports teams can have such a powerful hold on people’s minds. If you can tap into this desire, you can create a cult-like following of your own.
To create a cult-like following, you must first offer people something to believe in. This could be a new ideology, a set of values, or even just a sense of community. You must then keep your message vague and full of promise. This will allow people to project their own hopes and dreams onto you and your movement.
You must also create a sense of enthusiasm and excitement around your cause. This will help to keep people engaged and motivated.
Finally, you must give people something to do. This could be anything from participating in rituals to making sacrifices. By giving people a sense of purpose, you will make them more likely to stay loyal to you and your movement.
Here are a few examples of people who have effectively applied this law:
Steve Jobs was able to create a cultlike following of Apple fans by offering them something to believe in: the idea that Apple products were the best and most innovative on the market. He also kept his message vague and full of promise, by constantly teasing new products and features that were “just around the corner.” And he created a sense of enthusiasm and excitement around Apple by using marketing campaigns that were both stylish and thought-provoking. Finally, he gave Apple fans something to do by encouraging them to buy Apple products and to spread the word about the company.
- Jim Jones, the leader of the People's Temple cult, used a combination of religious ideology, charismatic leadership, and psychological manipulation to create a following of over 900 people.
- Charles Manson, the leader of the Manson Family cult, used a similar combination of factors to attract and control a group of young followers.
- David Koresh, the leader of the Branch Davidian cult, used his religious beliefs to convince his followers that he was the only one who could save them from the end of the world.
The 27th law of power is a powerful one, but it is important to use it wisely. If you are not careful, you could end up creating a cult that is harmful to its members. However, if you use this law to create a positive and empowering movement, you can have a profound impact on the world.
Some tips for using the 27th law of power wisely:
- Be clear about your message. What do you want people to believe in? What are your values? What is your vision for the future?
- Be enthusiastic and passionate about your cause. People can sense when you’re genuine, so make sure you believe in what you’re saying.
- Create a sense of community. People are more likely to follow someone they feel a connection to. Make sure your followers feel like they’re part of something special.
- Don’t ask for too much. People are more likely to follow you if they feel like they’re getting something in return. Start small and gradually increase your demands over time.
- Be willing to sacrifice for your cause. If you’re willing to put in the hard work, your followers will be more likely to do the same.
The 27th law of power is a powerful tool that can be used for good or for evil. It is up to you to decide how you will use it.
