dagblog - Comments for "Why Self-Help Almost Never Is"

Wow. Awesome analogy.

Verified Atheist — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 13:30:49 +0000

Wow. Awesome analogy.

The appeal of the self-help

Ramona — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 13:11:12 +0000

The appeal of the self-help book is that it's much cheaper and easier than the real thing, the same way six Chicken McNuggets are cheaper and easier than roasting a chicken from scratch. But that doesn't make the McNuggets a better deal.

Perfect! Thanks, Doc.

Great [post,

Doctor Cleveland — Sat, 15 Feb 2014 17:55:09 +0000

In reply to Why Self-Help Almost Never Is

Great [post, Ramona.

"Self-help" books are usually oversimplified, fast-food versions of things that already exist: psychotherapy, Buddhist spiritual practice, a degree from business school, a philosophy degree.

The appeal of the self-help book is that it's much cheaper and easier than the real thing, the same way six Chicken McNuggets are cheaper and easier than roasting a chicken from scratch. But that doesn't make the McNuggets a better deal.

Life turns out to be pretty complicated. The answers we've come up with in the last several thousand years, like psychology, philosophy, religion, literature, game theory, and cognitive science, all turn out to be useful but incomplete answers. Simpler versions of those things aren't going to be more complete.

:) Thanks. I'm planning to

Michael Wolraich — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 00:17:36 +0000

In reply to I knew there was a reason to

:) Thanks. I'm planning to officially debut the site when I finish it. There are still some things that I need to add.

I knew there was a reason to

Ramona — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 23:31:00 +0000

In reply to It's all over but the

I knew there was a reason to post this here. I'm sure it wasn't planned but it brought you out of the shadows and gave us a chance to get a glimpse at your new book. The cover is great, and I love your new website. Thanks for giving us a peek.

Okay, they worked this time.

Ramona — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 23:21:31 +0000

In reply to They work for me too. To

Okay, they worked this time. Sorry.

It's all over but the

Michael Wolraich — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 22:42:56 +0000

In reply to How are you coming along on

It's all over but the proofreading. And the marketing and such. Details at my new website, www.michaelwolraich.com.

They work for me too. To

Michael Wolraich — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 22:41:32 +0000

In reply to Very odd, Ramona; they work

They work for me too. To assuage your curiosity, I linked to a book called Mount Rushmore Motivation: 365 Days of Motivation & Inspiration from George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.

Very odd, Ramona; they work

artappraiser — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 22:33:20 +0000

In reply to None of your links worked for

Very odd, Ramona; they work perfectly for me. You must have some block or something working against loading Amazon.com? It's not too often that their site doesn't work, as a working site is money in their case.

None of your links worked for

Ramona — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 22:24:02 +0000

In reply to Can you try your link again?

None of your links worked for me. Sorry.