The Forum (482 hits)
Category: NoneLabels: crap
Rating: 0.09 on 28 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by <corinnecorinne.at.comcast.net> (View user info) at 2003-10-21 11:33:17 EDT
Two things, first off... Hi, I'm new.
Second Thing: Has anyone heard of the <a href=http://www.landmarkeducation.com>Landmark Education </a>program? It's called "The Forum". It's a knock-off of the old .est...
150 people shell out 400 bucks to cram into a lecture hall for a weekend, and they learn about life/relationships and junk.
There are mics at the front of the room, and you're encouraged to go and talk about yourself and your issues with life. Man, some people went up there telling horror stories- One guy lost his wife and daughter in a fire... another guy hit some kid with his car and killed him... And other people go up and tell stories about their personal problems... "My father left home when I was 2"...
By the end of the weekend everyone cries at least once.
Everyone who hears about this program says it's a cult... everyone who GOES there says it's amazing. I say "It's an amazing cult like experience!"
It's a crazy thing.
And I included my picture here, since the trend has been set...
![coriglow[1].jpg (11 kB)](http://stuff.ubersite.com/106675039714468326/1/coriglow[1].jpg)
User Reviews
Submitted by PWNstar (user info) at 2004-05-06 23:13:18 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
I give you this +1 just because Tom says you have cool hair. And that, coming from Tom, means a whole lot. (the first thing I thought was, "strange, that looks a lot like Tom minus Seth Green"
Submitted by Insanethemind (user info) at 2004-05-06 21:38:13 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
sounds like a support group
Submitted by GoingBlue (user info) at 2003-10-22 07:44:32 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Oooga booga.
Submitted by Sec (user info) at 2003-10-22 07:36:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I went there http://www.landmarkeducation.com/ and they all look like those grinning airhead yuppies from corporate publicity leaflets.
Submitted by Bellebrown (user info) at 2003-10-22 07:27:57 EDT (#)
Ranking: -1
Why is money always involved with shit like this?
Give me a fiver and I'll tell you why someone elses life is worse than yours. See that man over there? He's uglier than you... and he doesnt have a job. (see - that was freeby).
I dont know if I just think its wrong, or Im angry that I didnt think of it first and make myself rich.
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2003-10-22 06:51:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Smacks of Scientology to me.
Submitted by Sec (user info) at 2003-10-22 06:48:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Don't think. Let other people do it for you. Stupid monkeys.
Submitted by tartpumper (user info) at 2003-10-22 06:43:21 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Jamie Lee Curtis
Submitted by corn_nugget (user info) at 2003-10-22 06:40:11 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I sat through it with a straight face and frustrated the "leaders" by not getting too involved, and arguing some of their concepts. I couldn't tell you how many times they pulled me to the side and said "You have to let go and open up. If you don't accept what we're telling you, we can't help you."
I was dumbfounded by the number of people (almost everyone) that got totally sucked in and took their word as the gospel.
One lady told about how her father molested her for 5 years, and they said "You have to forgive him, he probably went through something in his own life that made this behavior come to the surface with you... he's probably miserable knowing what he did to you, forgive him.".
I was like "Oh My God." and she was crying and saying "oh yes yes, I'll call him on my lunch break."
umm?
Submitted by hidden101 (user info) at 2003-10-21 23:01:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
i would sit through one of these things and laugh. just laugh and laugh and laugh. but i would do it with a blank stare, showing no emotion whatsoever. that shit really creeps people out.
Submitted by corn_nugget (user info) at 2003-10-21 22:40:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Loki...
Yeah, that's really what I've found with the Forum. Some people are greatly affected by it, and they think that everyone is just one class away from being enlightened. The Christianity comparison was perfect, really.
Submitted by Phinch (user info) at 2003-10-21 18:13:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
hmmm. interesting.......
Submitted by Tom (user info) at 2003-10-21 13:10:40 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Wow cooooooool haaaaiiiiiiiir.
-Tom
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2003-10-21 12:41:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I've seen this happen with Christianity. People will convert and then assume that what works for them works for everyone. It's an arrogant assumption much like the analogy you used with the guy at the red light. You can never really get into the head of another person or understand what makes them tick, not really.
You must find your own path.
yes I am a closet Buddhist
Submitted by corn_nugget (user info) at 2003-10-21 12:23:25 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Really, it does seem to help everyone. I'm much more open and understanding now then I had been, I'm more outgoing, I'm MUCH more comfortable with myself. I guess the Forum helped with that, but also, it was me growing up. I think I went when I was 22, and I'm 25 now.
Most of the people that I know who have went are better in some way, but I also know a few people who are SO wrapped up in it that everyone avoids them. The Forum is 'against' breaking any bonds, so I don't think many Forum people cut ties with people who don't go to the Forum, but I DO think they feel enlightened. You'll hear them constantly urging Non-Forum people to go... "You'd really see the world differently if you went... it's such a shame that you're wasting your life." type stuff.
So, my point... uh... they don't cut ties intentionally, but because they are so obsessed with the Forum, they inadvertantly ruin a lot of their relationships because people avoid these Forum-Obsessed-People.
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2003-10-21 12:13:29 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
This is like a bizarre subculture that I know nothing about. Do you find that the people who get pulled into this end up relying more and more on it? In short does anyone ever get better or do they end up breaking off relationships with people who "don't understand"?
this is messed up
Submitted by corn_nugget (user info) at 2003-10-21 12:09:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I call it a cult because they make you think that the only people that can "really" understand you are people who've been through The Forum. This makes everyone want to sign up all their friends and family, and it also makes them feel like they can only identify with Forum people.
They also tell you that you need to keep taking classes in order to understand the entire Forum concept.
I'm tellin' ya... I can spot a Forum person a mile away. I went on a date a few months ago, and within five minutes I asked "Have you gone to the Forum?", and sure enough, he had... and he spent the rest of the night talking about it.
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2003-10-21 12:02:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
What makes you call it a cult? Is it the emotional aspect?
I absolutely could not handle a minute of this meeting. I'm pretty sure I'd freak out and make a run for it. Here is some home spun therapy: http://www.ubersite.com/cgi-bin/message_get.cgi?message=105726762952631253
Submitted by corn_nugget (user info) at 2003-10-21 11:47:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
megadeath? hah oh hell yes.
Yeah, I went to it. It's supposed to show you how the world "really is". It just focuses on how everyone thinks their own problems are too big to overcome, and how we assume that our own interpretations of the world aren't always right. Like, when someone says something or does something, we automaticly put reasons to their actions... "that guy's an asshole, he just ran a red light", where he very well MAY be an asshole, but maybe he's gotta take a crap really bad...!
There are a lot of interesting things they talk about, but mainly you DO feel better by seeing how bad off everyone else is... and it's very cult-like (which makes it even MORE interesting!).
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2003-10-21 11:43:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: -1
No Comment
Submitted by tuesdaydelay (user info) at 2003-10-21 11:41:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
You look like Dave Mustaines replacement in Megadeth.
Submitted by lowsodiummonkey (user info) at 2003-10-21 11:40:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I enjoy other people's misery. Makes me feel better. Where can I go to one of these things?
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2003-10-21 11:38:17 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Did you go to this? What is it supposed to accomplish? I just don't know that listening to a bunch of people more miserable than youself is the way to become a so happy I could shit cherries and getting off work in an hour Matt like person.
By the way Matt, what the fuck? You get off work in an hour? I get off work for an hour - we call it lunch.
Submitted by lowsodiummonkey (user info) at 2003-10-21 11:37:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
That's one hell of a soften filter you put on your picture. It's like a close up of chick in the original Star Trek show.
Submitted by potatomanjack (user info) at 2003-10-21 11:36:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I'm really confused by this post, and so I'm sticking with a safe 0 rank.
You're cute (if it is you), but you're pretty damn pale. Try gettting a little sun.
Submitted by DJMattB241 (user info) at 2003-10-21 11:35:47 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
http://www.landmarkeducation.com
html doesnt work in posts.
welcome.
+1 for me getting off work in an hour.
Submitted by Legendary_Threat (user info) at 2003-10-21 11:35:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
welcome to the land of assholes and bad ideas.
Submitted by corn_nugget (user info) at 2003-10-21 11:34:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I'm a moron... didn't link that right, eh?
anyway.