You asked: “What makes that comparison spring to mind?” when I mentioned cults.
Hopefully, you now have your answer—for one thing, they are like an END OF THE WORLD cult—in that they use fear of THE END OF THE WORLD as a publicity and marketing tool.
Such marketing has a long tradition behind it—e.g see the Daisy Ad.
You asked: “What makes that comparison spring to mind?” when I mentioned cults.
Hopefully, you now have your answer—for one thing, they are like an END OF THE WORLD cult—in that they use fear of THE END OF THE WORLD as a publicity and marketing tool.
Such marketing has a long tradition behind it—e.g see the Daisy Ad.