Self-Help Junkies, Stupid Experts, and the Worst Life Advice I've Ever Heard
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Sep 11, 2024
Is self-improvement becoming a cult? The hosts challenge the obsession with personal growth, using humor and anecdotes to dissect problematic advice. They explore the blurred lines between religion and self-help while critiquing expert predictions about behavioral change. A large study reveals both experts and everyday people struggle to motivate gym attendance effectively. Simplicity and honesty are emphasized as key to personal growth, with a humorous twist on the shortcomings of traditional self-help techniques.
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Self-Improvement as Religion in California
Mark Manson discusses the "culty" self-improvement obsession in California.
He finds it odd when social gatherings are infused with guided meditations and personal gurus.
insights INSIGHT
The Addiction of Self-Improvement
Mark Manson argues that constant self-improvement can become an addiction.
Sometimes, the best thing for self-improvement is to do nothing and enjoy the present moment.
insights INSIGHT
Self-Improvement as Avoidance
Excessive self-improvement can become avoidance, according to Mark Manson.
Constantly seeking new modalities prevents genuine personal change through integration and lived experience.
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In this book, Mark Manson explores the crisis of hope in modern society, arguing that despite significant improvements in global health, wealth, and safety, people are experiencing a sense of hopelessness. He delves into the nature of human existence, the role of emotions, and the importance of pain in personal growth. Manson critiques the self-help industry and modern societal values, advocating for a more intrinsic and unconditional approach to living. He draws on philosophical ideas, particularly from Friedrich Nietzsche, and presents a unique perspective on how to find meaning and purpose in a seemingly meaningless world.
How to Change Your Mind
What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence
Michael Pollan
In this book, Michael Pollan delves into the history of psychedelic drugs, from their rise in the 1960s to their current resurgence in medical research. He combines historical and scientific analysis with personal narratives of his own experiences with psychedelics, such as LSD and psilocybin. The book explores how these substances are being used to treat conditions like depression, addiction, and anxiety, and discusses their potential to revolutionize our understanding of the human mind and consciousness. Pollan's work is a blend of science, memoir, and travel writing, offering a nuanced and engaging look at the therapeutic and spiritual benefits of psychedelics[1][2][4].
Are you addicted to self-improvement? Are experts really any better than the rest of us at knowing how to make positive changes in our lives? What are some common pieces of life advice that just don't seem to work?
Drew and I tackle all of these questions today in our brand new, updated format for the pod. Find out why self-help can turn into pseudo-religion (and why we should bring back exorcisms), whether or not a huge mega-study by a bunch of fancy experts can tell us anything about behavioral change, and some common self-improvement tropes that just don't do it for us.
SOLVED with Mark Manson 
