Yes I recognise this. Larry Thompson created his 'wealth building programme' which was a course designed to suit any MLM company. I was on a call in Scotland in the early 90's where Thompson was presenting this course (workbooks and cassette tapes) as some kind of selfless sharing of his secrets to success. His big point was that because he was no longer associated with any MLM (or network marketing) organisation he was able to give independent guidance through his courses. In the Q&A I pointed out (rather obviously I thought), that his programme was the product and it was designed to exploit the networks that already existed. There was silence followed by the mumbling of an offline conversation. He asked me if I wanted my money back for the course and suggested that I 'didn't appreciate the value' and I was 'negging'. After a brief fractious exchange which I can't accurately recollect the call was brought to an abrupt close. I was later spoken to by my upline about being 'negative' and it was not good for him to be surrounded by negativity. So I asked him how many sets of the courses had in stock. He admitted to having a few, adding that he was considering giving it away free to everyone in his downline because, 'it was so powerful'. Within the space of that same conversation he managed to convince himself it was 'too valuable' to give away. I later became convinced through a series of side conversations at meetings and conferences that all the 'successful' people had bought their way into their marketing positions. They were extremely vague about what they sold and I came to believe that most of them had not sold a single item. I was looking for a lifeline at the time after a disastrous business venture.
Being accused of being ‘negative’ is a big sin in MLM circles since doubt is forbidden and critical thinking is often shamed to discourage it.
You’re also touching on another key issue which is that alongside the core MLM business model, there’s often a parallel “tool scam” where top distributors sell motivational courses, books, webinars, and coaching packages to their own downlines. These are marketed as essential for success - and when recruits struggle, they’re told it’s because they haven’t invested enough in their ‘mindset’ or training.
In reality, many high-ranking MLM figures earn far more from these side hustles than from selling the actual products. MLM companies typically look the other way, since these schemes keep recruits hopeful, compliant, and financially invested, even as they continue to lose money.
Absolutely. There is a big overlap with popular self-help gurus (and I may be showing my age by my references) such as Anthony Robins, Zig Ziglar and Dale Carnegie, whose materials can be easily interpreted as applying to MLM. Robins was a popular favourite because his message was about total transformation. The story of him in his one room apartment feeling depressed when an epiphany came to him in the form of a Neil Diamond song, almost became a religious parable. And there were many such stories that I simply could not stomach. As you point out, the inference in all of them was that if anyone were struggling, were not trying hard enough - as you point out. The common rationale behind MLM is that the products are so superior that they cannot be retailed normally and therefore need an in-depth in-person presentation on their value.
MLM "success seminars" and high-energy motivational events often mirror the structure and emotional arc of religious revivals: intense crowd dynamics, rhythmic chanting or music, charismatic speakers, testimonials, and promises of transformation. All of this is designed to trigger emotional and neurochemical responses - especially dopamine and oxytocin - that create a temporary sense of euphoria, belonging, and conviction.
The book "Manufacturing Mania: The Dopamine Hypothesis of Religious Experience" suggests that spiritual ecstasy, feelings of divine connection and transcendent insight are at least partly mediated by surges of dopamine in key brain circuits (e.g., the mesolimbic pathway). https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0DNQXX53Y
What’s striking is how MLM events exploit similar social and neurological mechanisms without the metaphysical framing: instead of salvation, it's financial freedom; instead of a divine calling, it's personal empowerment.
Either way, these mechanisms generate loyalty, conviction, and emotional highs that mask exploitative structures beneath. The promise of success or salvation is chemically backed, not factually.
Yes there is a religiosity to it. Now we see it in the form of social contagions and in online group behaviours that also trigger neurotransmitter-release through remote interactions. In that sense, of course, everything we do is chemically backed. I have written a little bit about misinformation, consciousness and free-will (I am not a determinist) and in one small study, it was found that people will knowingly share things they know to be false if it has the prospect of getting reactions. It is a validation cycle which is precisely what religion (and MLM) offers. The book looks interesting so thanks for the recommendation. I see you have some posts that I now want to read too.
Yes I recognise this. Larry Thompson created his 'wealth building programme' which was a course designed to suit any MLM company. I was on a call in Scotland in the early 90's where Thompson was presenting this course (workbooks and cassette tapes) as some kind of selfless sharing of his secrets to success. His big point was that because he was no longer associated with any MLM (or network marketing) organisation he was able to give independent guidance through his courses. In the Q&A I pointed out (rather obviously I thought), that his programme was the product and it was designed to exploit the networks that already existed. There was silence followed by the mumbling of an offline conversation. He asked me if I wanted my money back for the course and suggested that I 'didn't appreciate the value' and I was 'negging'. After a brief fractious exchange which I can't accurately recollect the call was brought to an abrupt close. I was later spoken to by my upline about being 'negative' and it was not good for him to be surrounded by negativity. So I asked him how many sets of the courses had in stock. He admitted to having a few, adding that he was considering giving it away free to everyone in his downline because, 'it was so powerful'. Within the space of that same conversation he managed to convince himself it was 'too valuable' to give away. I later became convinced through a series of side conversations at meetings and conferences that all the 'successful' people had bought their way into their marketing positions. They were extremely vague about what they sold and I came to believe that most of them had not sold a single item. I was looking for a lifeline at the time after a disastrous business venture.
Being accused of being ‘negative’ is a big sin in MLM circles since doubt is forbidden and critical thinking is often shamed to discourage it.
You’re also touching on another key issue which is that alongside the core MLM business model, there’s often a parallel “tool scam” where top distributors sell motivational courses, books, webinars, and coaching packages to their own downlines. These are marketed as essential for success - and when recruits struggle, they’re told it’s because they haven’t invested enough in their ‘mindset’ or training.
In reality, many high-ranking MLM figures earn far more from these side hustles than from selling the actual products. MLM companies typically look the other way, since these schemes keep recruits hopeful, compliant, and financially invested, even as they continue to lose money.
Absolutely. There is a big overlap with popular self-help gurus (and I may be showing my age by my references) such as Anthony Robins, Zig Ziglar and Dale Carnegie, whose materials can be easily interpreted as applying to MLM. Robins was a popular favourite because his message was about total transformation. The story of him in his one room apartment feeling depressed when an epiphany came to him in the form of a Neil Diamond song, almost became a religious parable. And there were many such stories that I simply could not stomach. As you point out, the inference in all of them was that if anyone were struggling, were not trying hard enough - as you point out. The common rationale behind MLM is that the products are so superior that they cannot be retailed normally and therefore need an in-depth in-person presentation on their value.
Yes, that comparison is very apt.
MLM "success seminars" and high-energy motivational events often mirror the structure and emotional arc of religious revivals: intense crowd dynamics, rhythmic chanting or music, charismatic speakers, testimonials, and promises of transformation. All of this is designed to trigger emotional and neurochemical responses - especially dopamine and oxytocin - that create a temporary sense of euphoria, belonging, and conviction.
The book "Manufacturing Mania: The Dopamine Hypothesis of Religious Experience" suggests that spiritual ecstasy, feelings of divine connection and transcendent insight are at least partly mediated by surges of dopamine in key brain circuits (e.g., the mesolimbic pathway). https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0DNQXX53Y
What’s striking is how MLM events exploit similar social and neurological mechanisms without the metaphysical framing: instead of salvation, it's financial freedom; instead of a divine calling, it's personal empowerment.
Either way, these mechanisms generate loyalty, conviction, and emotional highs that mask exploitative structures beneath. The promise of success or salvation is chemically backed, not factually.
Trying again...
Yes there is a religiosity to it. Now we see it in the form of social contagions and in online group behaviours that also trigger neurotransmitter-release through remote interactions. In that sense, of course, everything we do is chemically backed. I have written a little bit about misinformation, consciousness and free-will (I am not a determinist) and in one small study, it was found that people will knowingly share things they know to be false if it has the prospect of getting reactions. It is a validation cycle which is precisely what religion (and MLM) offers. The book looks interesting so thanks for the recommendation. I see you have some posts that I now want to read too.
I replied to this from my notifications but it seems to have disappeared. I will wait to see if it prints up before duplicating.
You should be more widely read