RubySoho
Winston
The secret of 'The Secret'
June 6th 2007 14:28
Actually, there IS no secret. The fact that it's misguided, opportunistic, ignorant drivel is as plain as day. I forgot to add reprehensible, mind-numbing, and simplistic....
Whoa. Let me start again here, as some people may not be aware of the latest self-help phenomenon that is The Secret. This gem of an idea first came on my radar a few weeks ago. It's been around for a few months now, and gained tremendous popularity after being relentlessly pimped by Oprah. I first heard about it on the news and such, but paid little attention. Then I heard about it on a podcast I listen to, and then I read about it in Skeptical Inquirer. And THEN I read this Newsweek article. Not being able to withstand the stupidity any longer, here I am writing about it.
If you want the full discussion on The Secret, click on the Newsweek link here, or Google it. I will hit on the major premises of this idea, which are so asinine that it shouldn't take long to cover. Here goes.
In The Secret, author Rhonda Byrne professes to have discovered some 'ancient knowledge' that holds the key to success and happiness. The bottom-line idea? Think about what you want, and it will happen. Now, you may find yourself nodding in agreement to this, and here's why: on a metaphorical, symbolic level, this idea has some merit. Positive thinking tends to make people more receptive to good opportunities, and can help to boost confidence. Thinking about what you want CAN help you to achieve it, in that it acts as a motivator. If only that was what Rhonda meant.
But it isn't. We're talking literally here. Rhonda's assertion is that by thinking positive thoughts you can ACTUALLY make it happen. Want more money? Visualize checks in the mail. Want to lose weight but not change how you eat or exercise? Just think about being thin. In an excerpt from the Newsweek article, it's explained by Rhonda that "food is not responsible for putting on weight. It is your thought that food is responsible for putting on weight that actually has food put on weight." It's just that simple! So, if I think a Big Mac really has the caloric equivalent of a rice cake, I'll be fine.
In an attempt to add scientific heft to her proposal, Rhonda has come up with the 'Law of Attraction'. This 'law' states that like attracts like. So, if you associate with, see, or think about poor people, you will be poor. Therefore, turn on an episode of 'Cribs' and buy the latest celebrity magazine. Go to bed, and when you open your eyes the next day, you'll be on your yacht in the Mediterranean. Right, Rhonda?
Rhonda uses a lot of pseudo-scientific phrasing, and even recruited a couple of physicists to lend credence to her ideas. She talks about 'entanglement' and various experiments that have dealt with matter being affected over a distance. The first problem here is that these experiments have been fascinating, but have not produced any results on anything above the quantum scale. Nor will they. It simply is not the way it works. The second problem is that the concept of a Law of Attraction is completely contrary to everything we see today. As anyone with half an idea of science, or who saw that Paula Abdul video in the 80's, can tell you, opposites attract. Negative charges attract positive charges. If, as Rhonda postulates, we're dealing with a scientific principle that utilizes physics, this is a pretty big stumbling block for that idea.
All of the science is inconsequential, though. The laughable nature of her scientific premises is obvious and of no threat to our knowledge in that arena. The true wretchedness of The Secret is that it disarms desperate, gullible people of their reason, and it turns people into victims. After Oprah showcased the book, she was contacted by a cancer patient who asserted that she was passing on chemo and radiation and electing to use The Secret to cure herself. Suddenly, Oprah wanted to make clear that she felt that it was only a "tool" and not a self-contained solution. You're probably right Oprah, except that that's not what the book says! Perhaps you should think a bit more carefully before promoting poisonous crap like this to the masses? And what about people who fall for this and fervently think about something they need? They think and wish and hope....and they're still poor. Or grandpa still dies of his illness. By the logic of The Secret, that's because they didn't think hard enough. So now, thanks to Rhonda, people get to own events outside of their control as personal failures. Bravo.
Here's another reason to despise this woman and her half-baked, fallacious nonsense. Her book discusses how to stay thin and how to get rich. If this fabulous power of positive thinking exists, then who cares about being fat or having a nice car? This could cure AIDS! This could end poverty, food-shortage, and climate change! World peace! My goodness, Rhonda, this will change everything! C'mon everyone, let's start the utopia.....what? Oh, that's right. People have been hoping and thinking and praying about those ideas forever, and thinking about it has done NOTHING. Thought begets action, and it is action that solves problems, not wishful thinking.
I may be coming off as a bit harsh on this topic, but I am incensed by it. This woman has managed to cram more ignorance, lies, and harmful notions into one book than I would have thought possible. And people, ever desperate for help and guidance, are buying it. When this fails, they'll move on to the next empty promise. If preying on the gullible is to be admired, or if promoting outlandish, harmful, ignorant claims is to be lauded, then Rhonda has my deepest respect. If, however, I'm right and those things are still bad, then let's please close the book on this idea once and for all, before any more harm is done.
Whoa. Let me start again here, as some people may not be aware of the latest self-help phenomenon that is The Secret. This gem of an idea first came on my radar a few weeks ago. It's been around for a few months now, and gained tremendous popularity after being relentlessly pimped by Oprah. I first heard about it on the news and such, but paid little attention. Then I heard about it on a podcast I listen to, and then I read about it in Skeptical Inquirer. And THEN I read this Newsweek article. Not being able to withstand the stupidity any longer, here I am writing about it.
If you want the full discussion on The Secret, click on the Newsweek link here, or Google it. I will hit on the major premises of this idea, which are so asinine that it shouldn't take long to cover. Here goes.
In The Secret, author Rhonda Byrne professes to have discovered some 'ancient knowledge' that holds the key to success and happiness. The bottom-line idea? Think about what you want, and it will happen. Now, you may find yourself nodding in agreement to this, and here's why: on a metaphorical, symbolic level, this idea has some merit. Positive thinking tends to make people more receptive to good opportunities, and can help to boost confidence. Thinking about what you want CAN help you to achieve it, in that it acts as a motivator. If only that was what Rhonda meant.
But it isn't. We're talking literally here. Rhonda's assertion is that by thinking positive thoughts you can ACTUALLY make it happen. Want more money? Visualize checks in the mail. Want to lose weight but not change how you eat or exercise? Just think about being thin. In an excerpt from the Newsweek article, it's explained by Rhonda that "food is not responsible for putting on weight. It is your thought that food is responsible for putting on weight that actually has food put on weight." It's just that simple! So, if I think a Big Mac really has the caloric equivalent of a rice cake, I'll be fine.
In an attempt to add scientific heft to her proposal, Rhonda has come up with the 'Law of Attraction'. This 'law' states that like attracts like. So, if you associate with, see, or think about poor people, you will be poor. Therefore, turn on an episode of 'Cribs' and buy the latest celebrity magazine. Go to bed, and when you open your eyes the next day, you'll be on your yacht in the Mediterranean. Right, Rhonda?
Rhonda uses a lot of pseudo-scientific phrasing, and even recruited a couple of physicists to lend credence to her ideas. She talks about 'entanglement' and various experiments that have dealt with matter being affected over a distance. The first problem here is that these experiments have been fascinating, but have not produced any results on anything above the quantum scale. Nor will they. It simply is not the way it works. The second problem is that the concept of a Law of Attraction is completely contrary to everything we see today. As anyone with half an idea of science, or who saw that Paula Abdul video in the 80's, can tell you, opposites attract. Negative charges attract positive charges. If, as Rhonda postulates, we're dealing with a scientific principle that utilizes physics, this is a pretty big stumbling block for that idea.
All of the science is inconsequential, though. The laughable nature of her scientific premises is obvious and of no threat to our knowledge in that arena. The true wretchedness of The Secret is that it disarms desperate, gullible people of their reason, and it turns people into victims. After Oprah showcased the book, she was contacted by a cancer patient who asserted that she was passing on chemo and radiation and electing to use The Secret to cure herself. Suddenly, Oprah wanted to make clear that she felt that it was only a "tool" and not a self-contained solution. You're probably right Oprah, except that that's not what the book says! Perhaps you should think a bit more carefully before promoting poisonous crap like this to the masses? And what about people who fall for this and fervently think about something they need? They think and wish and hope....and they're still poor. Or grandpa still dies of his illness. By the logic of The Secret, that's because they didn't think hard enough. So now, thanks to Rhonda, people get to own events outside of their control as personal failures. Bravo.
Here's another reason to despise this woman and her half-baked, fallacious nonsense. Her book discusses how to stay thin and how to get rich. If this fabulous power of positive thinking exists, then who cares about being fat or having a nice car? This could cure AIDS! This could end poverty, food-shortage, and climate change! World peace! My goodness, Rhonda, this will change everything! C'mon everyone, let's start the utopia.....what? Oh, that's right. People have been hoping and thinking and praying about those ideas forever, and thinking about it has done NOTHING. Thought begets action, and it is action that solves problems, not wishful thinking.
I may be coming off as a bit harsh on this topic, but I am incensed by it. This woman has managed to cram more ignorance, lies, and harmful notions into one book than I would have thought possible. And people, ever desperate for help and guidance, are buying it. When this fails, they'll move on to the next empty promise. If preying on the gullible is to be admired, or if promoting outlandish, harmful, ignorant claims is to be lauded, then Rhonda has my deepest respect. If, however, I'm right and those things are still bad, then let's please close the book on this idea once and for all, before any more harm is done.
| 63 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog
Comment by Onesnap
Comment by Winston
Small Thoughts on Big Questions
Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
They seek an easy solution to their problems, whatever they are.
You have done a wonderful job with this post, it is a shame the rest of the world can't share it.
The world is filled with useless "gobbledygook", which is counter productive to people living rewarding and sustainable lives. These things are so sad and generally the only ones who benefit are those promoting the useless nonsense; like all things, this will pass.
I am so glad you picked up with the 'correct physics' which, to a trained, educated mind, is so very apparent.
Well done, I just wish, one way or another you could be suitably rewarded.
katyzzz
Comment by Winston
Small Thoughts on Big Questions
Comment by Wendi
Admitedly, I am a believer in mind over matter, but to a degree, and in positive thinking. I stick by my words, "Believe good things; what you believe becomes!" However, I do believe the truths in that can be twisted and distorted. It isn't that you can eat a big mac and have its matter (calories, fats, etc) discounted by the body by simply wishing them gone. On the contrary, the positive thinking would be best designed to AVOID THE BIG MAC all together.
The idea wouldn't be to simply "imagine" yourself as well to do or successful, but to use the power of positive thinking as drive to take the ACTIONS necessary to insure such an outcome.
I can see how something as innocent as positive thinking could become an extreme danger, such as forfeiting medical care for the sake of "thinking yourself" well. Positive thinking in conjunction with medical care would seem more appropriate.
I do believe our physical environments are a reflection of our internal environments, so if you want the outter environment altered, you'd have to start with the inner environment. Positive thinking has much to do with that, but is not enough in and of itself. The positive thinking is meant to spawn positive actions, and that's where a lot of people seem to miss the boat.
I also think that while some people can benefit greatly from positive thinking and self-help subjects, they're not appropriate for everyone and there are going to be vulnerable individuals who do cling to such concepts as "truth", without fully digesting the truth in them.
I will continue to believe good things... but you better bet your bippy I'll be FOLLOWING THROUGH by supporting those positive beliefs with positive actions.
I wasn't familiar with the book before I read your post, but based on what you've stated, I can see why it's so upsetting.
W
Comment by Winston
Small Thoughts on Big Questions
This is just the latest in the never-ending string of quick-fix, feel good, no work fads that come down the pipeline. With luck, this one will disappear as quickly as it came.