An interesting take on Cults (and in my mind, extreme fundamentalism)

Diane Benscoter on how cults rewire the brain | Video on TED.com

I know that this is a little more specifically about cults, but interesting how she likens the reworking of her brain to that of a viral infection. And the weakness that allows that infection to be possible. With the increase in uncertainty about futures, we have seen an increase in fundamentalism and radicalism both in our country and abroad... our lack of social services for mental health becomes even more frightening when viewed through the lens of allowing potential "infections." I have seen a growing trend toward nationalism both here and in other countries that parallels some of the same increases that we saw in nationalism prior to our world wars. Anyway, it's a short video with some interesting implications.