This book might be worth a read:

https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320459266l/91322.jpg


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvRvgPGtNUw


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/91322.Sham


Sham: How the Self-Help Movement Made America Helpless

by Steve Salerno

3.47 ·
Rating details · 342 ratings · 53 reviews

Self-help: To millions of Americans it seems like a godsend. To many others it seems like a joke. But as investigative reporter Steve Salerno reveals in this groundbreaking book, it’s neither—in fact it’s much worse than a joke. Going deep inside the Self-Help and Actualization Movement (fittingly, the words form the acronym SHAM), Salerno offers the first serious exposé of this multibillion-dollar industry and the real damage it is doing—not just to its paying customers, but to all of American society.

Based on the author’s extensive reporting—and the inside look at the industry he got while working at a leading “lifestyle” publisher—SHAM shows how thinly credentialed “experts” now dispense advice on everything from mental health to relationships to diet to personal finance to business strategy. Americans spend upward of $8 billion every year on self-help programs and products. And those staggering financial costs are actually the least of our worries.

SHAM demonstrates how the self-help movement’s core philosophies have infected virtually every aspect of American life—the home, the workplace, the schools, and more. And Salerno exposes the downside of being uplifted, showing how the “empowering” message that dominates self-help today proves just as damaging as the blame-shifting rhetoric of self-help’s “Recovery” movement.

SHAM also reveals:

• How self-help gurus conduct extensive market research to reach the same customers over and over—without ever helping them

• The inside story on the most notorious gurus—from Dr. Phil to Dr. Laura, from Tony Robbins to John Gray

• How your company might be wasting money on motivational speakers, “executive coaches,” and other quick fixes that often hurt quality, productivity, and morale

• How the Recovery movement has eradicated notions of personal responsibility by labeling just about anything—from drug abuse to “sex addiction” to shoplifting—a dysfunction or disease

• How Americans blindly accept that twelve-step programs offer the only hope of treating addiction, when in fact these programs can do more harm than good

• How the self-help movement inspired the disastrous emphasis on self-esteem in our schools

• How self-help rhetoric has pushed people away from proven medical treatments by persuading them that they can cure themselves through sheer application of will

As Salerno shows, to describe self-help as a waste of time and money vastly understates its collateral damage.
And with SHAM, the self-help industry has finally been called to account for the damage it has done.


more reviews here:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/91322.Sham#other_reviews

It helped a lot of writers get rich.
Like a lot of Artists making Poker Machine games and violent games for kids.
See Roblox for kids - it teaches violence and destruction for the 'kids'.


Evil is Rich
Love is over-populated.

"Self help books are nonsense"


Every fibre of my being wants to agree with this statement.

However, a self help book once helped me with something, and it made a huge difference in my life.

I'm too embarrassed to say who wrote it though.

Self help books, like the Bible, need to be cherry picked.

Every book you read is a benefit.

You just need to learn how to be critical.

Jasin wrote on Sep 9^th, 2019 at 8:03pm:

It helped a lot of writers get rich. Like a lot of Artists making Poker Machine games and violent games for kids. See Roblox for kids - it teaches violence and destruction for the 'kids'. Evil is Rich Love is over-populated.

Rich?

It's a $12 billion industry!

greggerypeccary wrote on Sep 9^th, 2019 at 8:07pm:

"Self help books are nonsense" Every fibre of my being wants to agree with this statement. However, a self help book once helped me with something, and it made a huge difference in my life. I'm too embarrassed to say who wrote it though. Self help books, like the Bible, need to be cherry picked. Every book you read is a benefit. You just need to learn how to be critical.

I once read -

I'm OK you're OK and

How to win friends and influence people.


They might have helped me a bit.  :-[

Quote:

"Self help books are nonsense"

sprinty loves them

Mein Kamphf

John Smith wrote on Sep 9^th, 2019 at 8:14pm:

Quote: "Self help books are nonsense" sprinty loves them

Could Monk be cured by reading a self help book?

Jasin wrote on Sep 9^th, 2019 at 8:15pm:

Mein Kamphf

No -  Das Kapital would be better - ask Greggy.

Bobby. wrote on Sep 9^th, 2019 at 8:13pm:

[quote author=greggerypeccary link=1568023106/2#2 date=1568023650] "Self help books are nonsense" Every fibre of my being wants to agree with this statement. However, a self help book once helped me with something, and it made a huge difference in my life. I'm too embarrassed to say who wrote it though. Self help books, like the Bible, need to be cherry picked. Every book you read is a benefit. You just need to learn how to be critical.

I once read -

I'm OK you're OK and

How to win friends and influence people.


They might have helped me a bit.  :-[/quote]

I know a guy who works at a music school in the UK.

https://www.waterbear.org.uk/

These three books are on the book list:

- Sane New World, Ruby Wax

- The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle

- The Happiness Trap, Russ Harris

He gave me all three books as a gift when I was in Brighton last year, and I must admit that they're quite good.

But again, you must cherry pick and criticise.

greggerypeccary wrote on Sep 9^th, 2019 at 8:21pm:

I know a guy who works at a music school in the UK. https://www.waterbear.org.uk/ These three books are on the book list: - Sane New World, Ruby Wax - The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle - The Happiness Trap, Russ Harris He gave me all three books as a gift when I was in Brighton last year, and I must admit that they're quite good. But again, you must cherry pick and criticise.

I haven't read those books.
I'm finding that I prefer Youtube videos and if something is going to be long - 1 hour or more then
only a science video can keep me interested.

That's why I haven't posted in the book section here before.

Bobby. wrote on Sep 9^th, 2019 at 8:27pm:

greggerypeccary wrote on Sep 9th, 2019 at 8:21pm: I know a guy who works at a music school in the UK. https://www.waterbear.org.uk/ These three books are on the book list: - Sane New World, Ruby Wax - The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle - The Happiness Trap, Russ Harris He gave me all three books as a gift when I was in Brighton last year, and I must admit that they're quite good. But again, you must cherry pick and criticise. I haven't read those books.

They're worth a look.

Bobby. wrote on Sep 9^th, 2019 at 8:16pm:

John Smith wrote on Sep 9th, 2019 at 8:14pm: Quote: "Self help books are nonsense" sprinty loves them Could Monk be cured by reading a self help book?

monk can, but you unfortunately are beyond help

John Smith wrote on Sep 9^th, 2019 at 8:31pm:

Bobby. wrote on Sep 9th, 2019 at 8:16pm: John Smith wrote on Sep 9th, 2019 at 8:14pm: Quote: "Self help books are nonsense" sprinty loves them Could Monk be cured by reading a self help book? monk can, but you unfortunately are beyond help

According to the book in the OP
none of the self help books are worth a penny.
That means that you can't be helped either with
your truckloads of problems.

Bobbi seeks self-help by reading the nonsense on the back of public toilet doors.

If there were no public toilets, Bobbi would not exist.

Bobby. wrote on Sep 9^th, 2019 at 8:36pm:

John Smith wrote on Sep 9th, 2019 at 8:31pm: Bobby. wrote on Sep 9th, 2019 at 8:16pm: John Smith wrote on Sep 9th, 2019 at 8:14pm: Quote: "Self help books are nonsense" sprinty loves them Could Monk be cured by reading a self help book? monk can, but you unfortunately are beyond help According to the book in the OP none of the self help books are worth a penny. That means that you can't be helped either with your truckloads of problems.

Lucky I haven't had a penny since the 1960's.

Bobby. wrote on Sep 9^th, 2019 at 8:36pm:

John Smith wrote on Sep 9th, 2019 at 8:31pm: Bobby. wrote on Sep 9th, 2019 at 8:16pm: John Smith wrote on Sep 9th, 2019 at 8:14pm: Quote: "Self help books are nonsense" sprinty loves them Could Monk be cured by reading a self help book? monk can, but you unfortunately are beyond help According to the book in the OP none of the self help books are worth a penny. That means that you can't be helped either with your truckloads of problems.

I don't need help, I'm not dumb enough to waste my money on one of those books. You on the other hand have already admitted your stupidity

John Smith wrote on Sep 9^th, 2019 at 9:45pm:

Bobby. wrote on Sep 9th, 2019 at 8:36pm: John Smith wrote on Sep 9th, 2019 at 8:31pm: Bobby. wrote on Sep 9th, 2019 at 8:16pm: John Smith wrote on Sep 9th, 2019 at 8:14pm: Quote: "Self help books are nonsense" sprinty loves them Could Monk be cured by reading a self help book? monk can, but you unfortunately are beyond help According to the book in the OP none of the self help books are worth a penny. That means that you can't be helped either with your truckloads of problems. I don't need help, I'm not dumb enough to waste my money on one of those books. You on the other hand have already admitted your stupidity

You do need help John,

I have tried to help you, but I have failed.

John Smith sure does ask for help here a lot though eh.  ;)

Bobby. wrote on Sep 9^th, 2019 at 9:53pm:

You do need help John,

to get you to come out of the closet? not really, it's something I'd like for your benefit, not a necessity for me.

Jasin wrote on Sep 9^th, 2019 at 10:01pm:

John Smith sure does ask for help here a lot though eh.  ;)

John doesn't think there's anything wrong with himself.
Most of them are like that.
That's why he feels safer at Monk's psycho ward.

Bobby. wrote on Sep 9^th, 2019 at 10:42pm:

Jasin wrote on Sep 9th, 2019 at 10:01pm: John Smith sure does ask for help here a lot though eh.  ;) John doesn't think there's anything wrong with himself. Most of them are like that. That's why he feels safer at Monk's psycho ward.

John Smith has often said over at Monkey Mania PA that he'ld never go back to OzPolitic (mostly when banned and he has nowhere else to go but there).
But here he is.  ::)
He's just a whack-job like Peccary. He buffoons himself as some big tough guy, but tells little lies bit by bit on tippy-toe.

Jasin wrote on Sep 9^th, 2019 at 10:51pm:

Bobby. wrote on Sep 9th, 2019 at 10:42pm: Jasin wrote on Sep 9th, 2019 at 10:01pm: John Smith sure does ask for help here a lot though eh.  ;) John doesn't think there's anything wrong with himself. Most of them are like that. That's why he feels safer at Monk's psycho ward. John Smith has often said over at Monkey Mania PA that he'ld never go back to OzPolitic (mostly when banned and he has nowhere else to go but there). But here he is.  ::) He's just a whack-job like Peccary. He buffoons himself as some big tough guy, but tells little lies bit by bit on tippy-toe.

Maybe the Opening Post is wrong and
a self help book would benefit him?

Bobby. wrote on Sep 9^th, 2019 at 10:55pm:

Jasin wrote on Sep 9th, 2019 at 10:51pm: Bobby. wrote on Sep 9th, 2019 at 10:42pm: Jasin wrote on Sep 9th, 2019 at 10:01pm: John Smith sure does ask for help here a lot though eh.  ;) John doesn't think there's anything wrong with himself. Most of them are like that. That's why he feels safer at Monk's psycho ward. John Smith has often said over at Monkey Mania PA that he'ld never go back to OzPolitic (mostly when banned and he has nowhere else to go but there). But here he is.  ::) He's just a whack-job like Peccary. He buffoons himself as some big tough guy, but tells little lies bit by bit on tippy-toe. Maybe the Opening Post is wrong and a self help book would benefit him?

John Smith is currently writing his own Self Help Book
called
"How I taught myself to Read And Write in a PA Forum."

John Smith wrote on Sep 9^th, 2019 at 8:14pm:

Quote: "Self help books are nonsense" sprinty loves them

yes I do.

I learn through reading. Many people learn other ways. Some people want to not learn.

Sprintcyclist wrote on Sep 9^th, 2019 at 11:23pm:

John Smith wrote on Sep 9th, 2019 at 8:14pm: Quote: "Self help books are nonsense" sprinty loves them yes I do. I learn through reading. Many people learn other ways. Some people want to not learn.

So you disagree with the OP?

https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320459266l/91322.jpg


It's a $12 billion industry -

They're about self proclaimed gurus who
pretend to know all the answers and
write books to make big money.

It's not going away because of that book.
That book was written in 2005 and self help
books are more popular than ever.
The last book shop I visited had a whole
shelf devoted to them.

I think people are so confused by the irrational
society they live in that they are desperate for help.

Jasin wrote on Sep 9^th, 2019 at 10:51pm:

John Smith has often said over at Monkey Mania PA that he'ld never go back to OzPolitic (mostly when banned and he has nowhere else to go but there). But here he is.

$500 is yours if you can provide a link to me saying such a thing. I bet you prove your stupidity (again) and run away

John Smith wrote on Sep 11^th, 2019 at 4:47pm:

Jasin wrote on Sep 9th, 2019 at 10:51pm: John Smith has often said over at Monkey Mania PA that he'ld never go back to OzPolitic (mostly when banned and he has nowhere else to go but there). But here he is.  $500 is yours if you can provide a link to me saying such a thing. I bet you prove your stupidity (again) and run away

You should say LinkS as there were many times I saw you and your fellow Monkey Maniacs post such comments.
I really can't be bothered just now to go over to your slimy PA Forum and sift through all the doubly-ply paperwork for a $500 from you that is as about as forthcoming as Peckerhead's Trump and ALP ...self exile promises.

You're a Soft On.

Jasin wrote on Sep 11^th, 2019 at 10:24pm:

John Smith wrote on Sep 11th, 2019 at 4:47pm: Jasin wrote on Sep 9th, 2019 at 10:51pm: John Smith has often said over at Monkey Mania PA that he'ld never go back to OzPolitic (mostly when banned and he has nowhere else to go but there). But here he is.  $500 is yours if you can provide a link to me saying such a thing. I bet you prove your stupidity (again) and run away You should say LinkS as there were many times I saw you and your fellow Monkey Maniacs post such comments. I really can't be bothered just now to go over to your slimy PA Forum and sift through all the doubly-ply paperwork for a $500 from you that is as about as forthcoming as Peckerhead's Trump and ALP ...self exile promises. You're a Soft On.

You can take any promise from John to the bank. ;D

Bobby. wrote on Sep 11^th, 2019 at 10:31pm:

Jasin wrote on Sep 11th, 2019 at 10:24pm: John Smith wrote on Sep 11th, 2019 at 4:47pm: Jasin wrote on Sep 9th, 2019 at 10:51pm: John Smith has often said over at Monkey Mania PA that he'ld never go back to OzPolitic (mostly when banned and he has nowhere else to go but there). But here he is.  $500 is yours if you can provide a link to me saying such a thing. I bet you prove your stupidity (again) and run away You should say LinkS as there were many times I saw you and your fellow Monkey Maniacs post such comments. I really can't be bothered just now to go over to your slimy PA Forum and sift through all the doubly-ply paperwork for a $500 from you that is as about as forthcoming as Peckerhead's Trump and ALP ...self exile promises. You're a Soft On. You can take any promise from John to the bank. ;D

The only promise he ever kept was to God that he would always be a good little boy.
He's still a good little boy. Don't know about the man?
I think he's just another pussy-whipped Beta male.

Hi Jasin,
maybe you can write a self help book to
help people like John?

It's a $12 billion industry  - easy money.

Jasin wrote on Sep 11^th, 2019 at 10:24pm:

John Smith wrote on Sep 11th, 2019 at 4:47pm: Jasin wrote on Sep 9th, 2019 at 10:51pm: John Smith has often said over at Monkey Mania PA that he'ld never go back to OzPolitic (mostly when banned and he has nowhere else to go but there). But here he is.  $500 is yours if you can provide a link to me saying such a thing. I bet you prove your stupidity (again) and run away You should say LinkS as there were many times I saw you and your fellow Monkey Maniacs post such comments. I really can't be bothered just now to go over to your slimy PA Forum and sift through all the doubly-ply paperwork for a $500 from you that is as about as forthcoming as Peckerhead's Trump and ALP ...self exile promises. You're a Soft On.

multiple links ehhh ? that makes it easier for you yo get $500.  :D :D

Pretending  you can't be bothered might work with goober, but everyone else will see you for the dopey lying fraud you are. ::)

Bobby. wrote on Sep 12^th, 2019 at 9:43am:

Hi Jasin, maybe you can write a self help book to help people like John? It's a $12 billion industry  - easy money.

goober will certainly buy it. :D

John Smith wrote on Sep 12^th, 2019 at 8:14pm:

Bobby. wrote on Sep 12th, 2019 at 9:43am: Hi Jasin, maybe you can write a self help book to help people like John? It's a $12 billion industry  - easy money. Bobby will certainly buy it. :D

Dear John,
some days I feel like I need a dozen self help books.

Bobby. wrote on Sep 12^th, 2019 at 8:18pm:

John Smith wrote on Sep 12th, 2019 at 8:14pm: Bobby. wrote on Sep 12th, 2019 at 9:43am: Hi Jasin, maybe you can write a self help book to help people like John? It's a $12 billion industry  - easy money. Bobby will certainly buy it. :D Dear John, some days I feel like I need a dozen self help books.

you need more than that.

John Smith wrote on Sep 12^th, 2019 at 8:29pm:

Bobby. wrote on Sep 12th, 2019 at 8:18pm: John Smith wrote on Sep 12th, 2019 at 8:14pm: Bobby. wrote on Sep 12th, 2019 at 9:43am: Hi Jasin, maybe you can write a self help book to help people like John? It's a $12 billion industry  - easy money. Bobby will certainly buy it. :D Dear John, some days I feel like I need a dozen self help books. you need more than that.

Go back to Monk's place -

he needs you more than ever.  ;D

Bobby. wrote on Sep 12^th, 2019 at 8:57pm:

John Smith wrote on Sep 12th, 2019 at 8:29pm: Bobby. wrote on Sep 12th, 2019 at 8:18pm: John Smith wrote on Sep 12th, 2019 at 8:14pm: Bobby. wrote on Sep 12th, 2019 at 9:43am: Hi Jasin, maybe you can write a self help book to help people like John? It's a $12 billion industry  - easy money. Bobby will certainly buy it. :D Dear John, some days I feel like I need a dozen self help books. you need more than that. Go back to Monk's place - he needs you more than ever.  ;D

go back to the sewer, they're missing their village idiot.

Why are self help books written by someone else ?

John Smith wrote on Sep 12^th, 2019 at 9:26pm:

Bobby. wrote on Sep 12th, 2019 at 8:57pm: John Smith wrote on Sep 12th, 2019 at 8:29pm: Bobby. wrote on Sep 12th, 2019 at 8:18pm: John Smith wrote on Sep 12th, 2019 at 8:14pm: Bobby. wrote on Sep 12th, 2019 at 9:43am: Hi Jasin, maybe you can write a self help book to help people like John? It's a $12 billion industry  - easy money. Bobby will certainly buy it. :D Dear John, some days I feel like I need a dozen self help books. you need more than that. Go back to Monk's place - he needs you more than ever.  ;D go back to the sewer, they're missing their village idiot.

I do like a good village idiot. We have much better examples than Bobby here.

Dnarever wrote on Sep 12^th, 2019 at 9:32pm:

Why are self help books written by someone else ?

It's a $12 billion industry -

They're about self proclaimed gurus who
pretend to know all the answers and
write books to make big money.

It's not going away because of that book.
That book was written in 2005 and self help
books are more popular than ever.
The last book shop I visited had a whole
shelf devoted to them.

I think people are so confused by the irrational
society they live in that they are desperate for help.

I love watching those Tony Robbins infomercials. He goes into details in the infomercials about advice that he wants to give in his books. The advice is plausible and adequate enough that you don't really need to spend money on his books. He basically defeated the whole point of his sales pitch. But, there are such people out there that need to finalise the advice he gives.

Bobby. wrote on Sep 12^th, 2019 at 9:36pm:

Dnarever wrote on Sep 12th, 2019 at 9:32pm: Why are self help books written by someone else ? It's a $12 billion industry - They're about self proclaimed gurus who pretend to know all the answers and write books to make big money. It's not going away because of that book. That book was written in 2005 and self help books are more popular than ever. The last book shop I visited had a whole shelf devoted to them. I think people are so confused by the irrational society they live in that they are desperate for help.

If aquascoot published a self-help book, what would it be called?

greggerypeccary wrote on Sep 13^th, 2019 at 11:30am:

Bobby. wrote on Sep 12th, 2019 at 9:36pm: Dnarever wrote on Sep 12th, 2019 at 9:32pm: Why are self help books written by someone else ? It's a $12 billion industry - They're about self proclaimed gurus who pretend to know all the answers and write books to make big money. It's not going away because of that book. That book was written in 2005 and self help books are more popular than ever. The last book shop I visited had a whole shelf devoted to them. I think people are so confused by the irrational society they live in that they are desperate for help. If aquascoot published a self-help book, what would it be called?

All Aqua does is put down White Knight every day.

greggerypeccary wrote on Sep 13^th, 2019 at 11:30am:

Bobby. wrote on Sep 12th, 2019 at 9:36pm: Dnarever wrote on Sep 12th, 2019 at 9:32pm: Why are self help books written by someone else ? It's a $12 billion industry - They're about self proclaimed gurus who pretend to know all the answers and write books to make big money. It's not going away because of that book. That book was written in 2005 and self help books are more popular than ever. The last book shop I visited had a whole shelf devoted to them. I think people are so confused by the irrational society they live in that they are desperate for help. If aquascoot published a self-help book, what would it be called?

'how to shovel horseshit while smiling'

'Of horse you can'  or 'Horses for courses'

;D ;D ;D

you win

Bobby. wrote on Sep 12^th, 2019 at 9:36pm:

Dnarever wrote on Sep 12th, 2019 at 9:32pm: Why are self help books written by someone else ? It's a $12 billion industry - They're about self proclaimed gurus who pretend to know all the answers and write books to make big money. It's not going away because of that book. That book was written in 2005 and self help books are more popular than ever. The last book shop I visited had a whole shelf devoted to them. I think people are so confused by the irrational society they live in that they are desperate for help.

David DuBuyne wrote a book about climate. David DuByne knows NOTHING about the climate or science etc. Bet Booby bought his worthless book  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Jovial Monk wrote on Sep 14^th, 2019 at 3:08pm:

Bobby. wrote on Sep 12th, 2019 at 9:36pm: Dnarever wrote on Sep 12th, 2019 at 9:32pm: Why are self help books written by someone else ? It's a $12 billion industry - They're about self proclaimed gurus who pretend to know all the answers and write books to make big money. It's not going away because of that book. That book was written in 2005 and self help books are more popular than ever. The last book shop I visited had a whole shelf devoted to them. I think people are so confused by the irrational society they live in that they are desperate for help. David DuBuyne wrote a book about climate. David DuByne knows NOTHING about the climate or science etc. Bet Booby bought his worthless book  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

I didn't buy any of his books -
why bother when I can watch his videos?

No, you bought his useless book if for no other reason but to get a pat on your head.

Dubyne knows nothing about climate.

Dubyne knows nothing about science.

Dubyne is a grifter who preys on the stupid and those afraid of AGW.

Which category do you fit in, Booby?