Jonah Berger, a renowned social scientist and author, has popularized the concept of "magic words" in his book "Contagious: How to Build Word of Mouth in the Digital Age." In this book, Berger explores the factors that make certain ideas, products, or behaviors go viral and spread rapidly among people. According to Berger, magic words possess certain qualities that make them more likely to be shared and talked about. These words are specific, concrete, and vivid, making them memorable and easy to recall. Berger suggests that magic words evoke emotions and personal experiences, resonating with individuals on a deeper level. One example of a magic word is "imagine".
I Was A Tarot Reader At Laurie Cabot's Authentic Salem Witch Shop
People often ask me what it was like to work as a tarot card reader in Salem, MA. They're usually in awe or fascinated by my answer because I worked at Enchanted of Salem, the home of famed Laurie Cabot, Salem's official witch.
For those of you unfamiliar with Laurie Cabot’s witchcraft, she is undoubtedly one of the most revered witches that ever existed — to be touched by her energies is nothing short of magical and life-changing.
Laurie changed the way the public viewed witchcraft and was ordained the “The Official Witch of Salem” in the mid-1970s by Governor Mike Dukakis for all her great works with children.
Laurie also believed, as I do, in the science behind witchcraft.
People often think we can see right into their consciences and soul, or perhaps read their minds — but it doesn’t work that way.
Real Magick is energy and energy can’t be destroyed; it can only be transformed.
For example, centuries ago, we never thought we would have the ability to converse wirelessly through cellular devices, but here we are. It’s by the level of frequency, radio waves, and vibration. As society becomes more technically advanced, so does the veil that separates the real world from the magical one.
Mat Auryn, a psychic witch from Salem, has gone on to graze his own path of success, by writing several books on witchcraft, full of unique wisdom and enchantment.
He describes a true witch in his book, Psychic Witch, as "what witchcraft is when you strip all the different trappings and traditions away. In other words, the Craft of witchery revolves around 'the ability to manipulate energy and shape it for desired outcomes.'”
To prove this scientific theory even further, Laurie was photographed with a coven of witches in Salem by National Geographic. This was the 1970s, so back then there was no quick-fix photoshopping.
The photo Nat Geo took of this bevy of witches, when developed, had a blue thunderbolt around it.
The only scientific explanation at the time is if they had been shooting in arctic conditions, but the photo was taken in the middle of summer in 95-degree weather.
In the picture, all the women are in sundresses. Nat Geo almost didn’t publish the photo because they couldn’t figure out why this blue lightning bolt kept appearing every time they developed the film.
When asked about the photo, Laurie said the thunderbolt appeared because "we were coming together to create science, putting our energies together, to create the color blue of Jupiter.”
Proof once more, behind the science of witchcraft.
To this day, National Geographic has no logical explanation.
However, there is a logical explanation, if you believe in the advancement of technology, energy frequency, and radio waves — then you believe in magick.
One example of a magic word is "imagine". This word enables individuals to visualize and mentally engage with an idea or scenario. By prompting people to imagine, it sparks curiosity and interest, making them more likely to share the idea with others.
Alice in Wonderland
Laurie was devoted to the theme, Alice in Wonderland, and implemented its decor throughout her official store, Enchanted of Salem.
From the stardust glitter that greeted patrons at the door, to the majestic artistry that hung from the ceilings, each handcrafted cord was filled with powerful cryptic messages and curative antidotes.
Each one held mysterious beneficial powers from its fairytale teacups, entwined with vibrant ribbons and handmade Tarot. All of Laurie’s handmade goods held their own unique, elusive sorcery, magick, and charm.
It was never my plan to take over as the main Tarot reader at Enchanted of Salem but it just happened, as all things that are meant to happen often do.
When I walked into Enchanted of Salem, I was an innocent lamb, naive to the world around me. My eyes were wide shut but opened to a kaleidoscope of different cultures, religions, fads, and sexual orientations.
Soon, I was past the point of no return. I had entered Wonderland, and would soon descend into the rabbit hole, where the Mad Hatter awaited to escort my guests for tarot readings. From the Mad Hatter, I quickly learned that indeed, ‘everyone is mad here’.
Down the rabbit hole, I went where cash flooded my descent and great madness awaited — yet my wisdom abated.
In the pursuit of her true purpose, Alice encounters a variety of splendiferous creatures who encourage her to get in touch with her inner fabulosity — and so did I at the shop.
In Wonderland, I struggled with the importance of who I was and what I brought to the table. I was praised by one of the owners, "You’ve made the store more money than any other reader since the store opened.”
Excluding Laurie, of course, who was no longer available for readings. ( Laurie continues to teach online, making her magick wands, cords, candles, and spell bottles with her daughter Penny Cabot, a magnificent, magickal artist and practitioner in her own right, from home.)
There were also the poppies of grief that thrived in the underworld of the rabbit hole: Families who had lost loved ones to the poison derived from poppies, opiates, and fentanyl. Poppy bereavement infused the underworld. Yet, I would sit with these families, lost to the underworld, to let them know a new day would dawn.
Other magic words include "new", "secret", "free", and "exclusive". These words create a sense of novelty, exclusivity, and value, attracting people's attention and triggering their innate desire to be in the know and partake in something special. Berger also emphasizes the importance of the "Triggers" concept in conjunction with magic words. Triggers are stimuli that remind people of a particular brand, product, or idea, increasing the likelihood of them talking about it. By associating a product or idea with a word or phrase that is frequently encountered in daily life, it becomes more top-of-mind for individuals, enhancing its viral potential. In conclusion, Jonah Berger's concept of "magic words" highlights the power of language in driving word-of-mouth and social influence. By understanding the qualities of magic words and leveraging triggers, individuals and businesses can craft compelling messages and increase the likelihood of their ideas, products, or behaviors going viral..
Reviews for "The Influence of Jonah Berkrr's Magic Words in Leadership"
1. Sarah - 2/5
I found "Jonah Berkrr Magic Words" to be quite underwhelming. The plot felt disjointed and lacked depth, leaving me feeling unsatisfied by the end. The characters were one-dimensional and their motivations seemed arbitrary. Additionally, the writing style was overly verbose and repetitive, making it difficult to stay engaged with the story. Overall, I was disappointed by this book and would not recommend it to others.
2. Mark - 1/5
I couldn't bear to finish "Jonah Berkrr Magic Words". The story felt incredibly contrived, with predictable plot twists and clichéd dialogue. The main character was unrelatable and his actions often seemed irrational and inexplicable. Furthermore, the pacing was extremely slow, making it a struggle to maintain interest. I was severely disappointed by this book and it fell far short of my expectations.
3. Emily - 2/5
"Jonah Berkrr Magic Words" was a disappointing read for me. The plot was convoluted and the narrative lacked coherence, leaving me confused and frustrated. The character development was minimal and I found it difficult to care about the fate of any of the characters. The writing style was also overly verbose, bogged down by unnecessary descriptions and excessive use of similes and metaphors. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed by this book and would not recommend it to others.