Sakshi Mehra is a Trainee Journalist at ThePrint. She writes on the intersection of art, culture, crime, society, and policy. She joined ThePrint in 2024. Sakshi can be reached at sakshi.mehra@theprint.in
Generic, AI-generated article by a 20-somethijg who has apparently neither read nor tried to understand the deeper meaning behind these books. The reek of ignorance of the publisher is apparent throughout the article. In all honesty, the ‘writer’ of the article can benefit a lot more by taking a few lessons in understanding the craft of writing and making sure her words do not reflect her misguided sense of what books represent.
My LinkedIn feed is full of this kind of trash. They get lots of likes and generic comments but actually have no real value. I suppose they take out a good quote from the net, put it in an AI grist that churns out some 300-400 words, pass them through a text-to-carousel tool, and then unload all the **** on to LinkedIn. An ‘influencer’ had let out a trick. Build a close circle of people who do likewise, post almost at the same time, like and comment on each others’ posts, and LinkedIn’s strange algo picks up the cue that the posts should be some manna from heaven. Rinse. Repeat.
Very well stated, this is such a pervasive issue today! From Godmen to laymen, successful executives to nobodys, Nobel winners to breadwinners – everyone has decided to share their life lessons, genralizing to the point of junk! Thanks for this callout, and also correctly classifying Subtle Art as one othe better works!
Barring a few carelessly written setences like the one you mentioned about Mark Mason, his book makes sense. You are totally right about Ankur Warikoo, he’s the Bollywood equivalent of self help guru, shallow, without substance and showy like Salman Khan’s steroid ridden muscles. Who buys his books titles of which carry an adequate warning ie. ‘shit’.
Nice article. Even I have been a victim of this trend of self help. I have come to realise that they do not have real solutions instead pushes a person into a bubble of feel good emotions. However, the one book which actually stood out was ‘the subtle art of not giving a fuck’. This book actually address the issue and tell it readers not to expect greatness. This book is like a bitter soup in otherwise sweet and feel good self help industry.
Timely article. I won’t even touch such books by 10-feet pole. Of course these books help make writers rich and famous but they mostly prey on general public mentality that success is a common stage which everyone must aspire to reach. They cannot possibly honor neurodiversity among humans, specific traits, personalities and how evolution works. These books are myopic in their treatment of civilisation as particular window in space and time where everyone is struggling. And looking at public, we desperately need books on how to treat others rather than ourselves. Us vs. Them is a dangerous mentality promoted by these motivational part timers.
Not all self-help books are scam.
I have personally benefitted from books like “Atomic Habit” by James Clear, “Mindset” by Dr. Carol Dweck, “Why has nobody told me this before” by Dr. Julie Smith etc. Currently reading “Hidden Potential” by Adam Grant and also find it useful so far. I try to use tips/method/wisdom mentioned in my daily life and find them useful.
Reading high quality books from subject matter expert is important. Reading book reviews before buying book may help.
Generic, AI-generated article by a 20-somethijg who has apparently neither read nor tried to understand the deeper meaning behind these books. The reek of ignorance of the publisher is apparent throughout the article. In all honesty, the ‘writer’ of the article can benefit a lot more by taking a few lessons in understanding the craft of writing and making sure her words do not reflect her misguided sense of what books represent.
My LinkedIn feed is full of this kind of trash. They get lots of likes and generic comments but actually have no real value. I suppose they take out a good quote from the net, put it in an AI grist that churns out some 300-400 words, pass them through a text-to-carousel tool, and then unload all the **** on to LinkedIn. An ‘influencer’ had let out a trick. Build a close circle of people who do likewise, post almost at the same time, like and comment on each others’ posts, and LinkedIn’s strange algo picks up the cue that the posts should be some manna from heaven. Rinse. Repeat.
Very well stated, this is such a pervasive issue today! From Godmen to laymen, successful executives to nobodys, Nobel winners to breadwinners – everyone has decided to share their life lessons, genralizing to the point of junk! Thanks for this callout, and also correctly classifying Subtle Art as one othe better works!
Barring a few carelessly written setences like the one you mentioned about Mark Mason, his book makes sense. You are totally right about Ankur Warikoo, he’s the Bollywood equivalent of self help guru, shallow, without substance and showy like Salman Khan’s steroid ridden muscles. Who buys his books titles of which carry an adequate warning ie. ‘shit’.
Nice article. Even I have been a victim of this trend of self help. I have come to realise that they do not have real solutions instead pushes a person into a bubble of feel good emotions. However, the one book which actually stood out was ‘the subtle art of not giving a fuck’. This book actually address the issue and tell it readers not to expect greatness. This book is like a bitter soup in otherwise sweet and feel good self help industry.
Timely article. I won’t even touch such books by 10-feet pole. Of course these books help make writers rich and famous but they mostly prey on general public mentality that success is a common stage which everyone must aspire to reach. They cannot possibly honor neurodiversity among humans, specific traits, personalities and how evolution works. These books are myopic in their treatment of civilisation as particular window in space and time where everyone is struggling. And looking at public, we desperately need books on how to treat others rather than ourselves. Us vs. Them is a dangerous mentality promoted by these motivational part timers.
Not all self-help books are scam.
I have personally benefitted from books like “Atomic Habit” by James Clear, “Mindset” by Dr. Carol Dweck, “Why has nobody told me this before” by Dr. Julie Smith etc. Currently reading “Hidden Potential” by Adam Grant and also find it useful so far. I try to use tips/method/wisdom mentioned in my daily life and find them useful.
Reading high quality books from subject matter expert is important. Reading book reviews before buying book may help.