Self-Help Claptrap

I am deeply critical of anyone who utilizes vague jargon such as "soul" and "spirit" and "opening up your heart." Sure, their intentions are usually to help influence a person to be kind, open-minded and loving. Their vocabulary fails to stimulate the mind in any real or lasting manner, however. The terms are completely up for grabs as far as their meaning is concerned. People may think they know what they mean, but you'll find that everyone's interpretation is at least slightly different.

These terms are used by well-meaning, dull-witted people (or business savvy people) in a bow-tied package for sale in the shapes of self-help books, CDs, DVDs, and articles. They are not practical and their effects are boiled down to an immediate sense of motivation with little to no sustaining impact. Their advice is to "open up your heart" or "search deep in your soul" or "feel your spirit." How? No fucking clue. They sure won't let you know. Is there some deeply ingrained knowledge that we all possess which allows us to understand exactly what it means to "open your heart" and how to do so? Not really, no. The reader interprets the advice in their own way, just as the writer intended with such vague claptrap, and they experience a momentary sense of hope. What happens the minute they place the book back on the shelf? That feeling dissipates and as the reader returns to reality and they are right back where they began -- with their familiar frustrations and inability to cope with difficult situations or people.

My frustration doesn't necessarily lie with the idea that I don't believe there exists a "soul" or "spirit," nor that the idea of "opening your heart" is a poorly explained approach to making use of the chemicals temporarily excreted and interpreted by the brain. It also doesn't lie with the fact that there are many successful authors out there that understand that this type of ambiguous writing sells well and that they take advantage of such a simple method of raking in the dough.

What upsets me is that so many people are gullible dolts who willingly spend $15-$25 on a single book that either explains absurdly common sense advice that people already know or that takes advantage of enigmatic vocabulary and phrases. Not only that, but they will also spend hundreds of dollars on "life coaches" and self-help "gurus" to listen to their horrifyingly inane speeches and workshops.

Why don't I get upset with the people who spread such nonsense? Partially because I envy them. They've figured out a way to make a decent living with very little work involved. Also, because I cannot fault them for helping themselves, even if it means being somewhat deceitful. Yes, of course I would love to get a chance to let them know that what they're spelling out to their audiences is complete horseshit. But they are not the source of the problem. They are merely a symptom.

The problem? The severe lack of critical thinking skills on the part of the audience. If they were smarter or if they employed their minds a little more carefully, those taking advantage of mysticism would have no audience, they would make no money, they would be forced to actually earn a living doing something legitimate. I can still get mad at them for saying stupid stuff, especially if they are some of the few who actually believe what they're saying. What really infuriates me, however, is the sheer magnitude of stupidity on the part of the masses.

Critical thinking skills. Logic. Reason. Rationality. Learn it, live it, love it.