That’s true, I just think that using the neologism “dark arts” in this case does not make the explanation clearer to the ear; it just obfuscates it. Why not just say that “this is a racket that can fool some people who aren’t total idiots”? I’m just expressing my opinion here—the quibble is not really a matter of right and wrong, just explanatory taste. I appreciate the overall review of Landmark, I’m just reacting to the use of the term “dark arts”.
Strongly disagree. It’s a short, sharp, compact expression meaning “These dudes are going to try and pull all the shit I read about in Cialdini; constant vigilance.” I’ve found it very useful to prime myself into an appropriate state of mind. And I need something like that, because I am a doormat and a very, very, very easy sell.
That’s true, I just think that using the neologism “dark arts” in this case does not make the explanation clearer to the ear; it just obfuscates it. Why not just say that “this is a racket that can fool some people who aren’t total idiots”? I’m just expressing my opinion here—the quibble is not really a matter of right and wrong, just explanatory taste. I appreciate the overall review of Landmark, I’m just reacting to the use of the term “dark arts”.
I’d like to see use of this term come to an end.
Strongly disagree. It’s a short, sharp, compact expression meaning “These dudes are going to try and pull all the shit I read about in Cialdini; constant vigilance.” I’ve found it very useful to prime myself into an appropriate state of mind. And I need something like that, because I am a doormat and a very, very, very easy sell.