21 Comments
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Bruce Tracy's avatar

Several years back I got interested in the history of "The Secret" and where this rubbish began. I read "The Science of Getting Rich" written by Wallace D. Wattles and published in 1910. It's the more techy version of "The Secret ". It even goes as far as to put forward the proposition that all resources are unlimited. It seems politicians and the wealthy must have gotten their hands on a copy.

Jessica's avatar

Yep, the idea of "limitless resources" pairs well with their models of economic "growth."

Terrance Ó Domhnaill's avatar

Just don't drink the Kool-Aid when they offer it to you.

I have heard of this book before and the Christian Scientists, now Scientologists. I always attributed them to misguided people. It's amazing what people will do for money and how gullible people can be. Look at Trump's current pick of people. They are nearly all hucksters of one sort or another leading people down a gilded path all the while lining their pockets with grifted money.

Once again I state the obvious. Take care of yourself and your families. No one else will, especially the governments. It doesn't matter which western country you live in anymore. They are all part of the same grifter mentality. This means even more so today after the latest stupidity by Genocide Joe over allowing long range missiles to be fired into western Russia.

Russia will counter but this only escalates things even more. This all on top of the latest Pentagon audits showing that they lost several billion taxpayer dollars to Ukrainian and U.S. European command, with no idea where that money went. Oooops! Sorry, we will try to do better next time.

Meanwhile, the citizens back home are losing out on health care and federal safety measures due to lack of funding. We can see where the governments priorities are and it isn't taking care of its citizens.

Do your best to survive without the government. Your lives depend on it.

Jessica's avatar

No kidding. Between Biden's escalation and the CDC's recent stunts, they're trying really hard to outstupid Republicans and still losing.

Ed's avatar

I appreciate some governments are self interested others however are good. It depends on the politician but here in the UK most of the new government ministers care. A lot.

Bad politicians love the mantra “they’re all-as bad as each other”

Theresa's avatar

Oh Jessica- the Secret is a White Person’s book. Black people know this book is utter rubbish.

Here is the AI summary of our perspective-

AI Overview

Many Black people view "The Secret" with skepticism and criticism, largely due to its perceived lack of consideration for systemic issues and the belief that simply positive thinking can solve complex problems like racial inequality, often dismissing it as a simplistic and unrealistic approach to life challenges, particularly when facing systemic barriers.

Key points about Black perspectives on "The Secret":

Ignoring systemic issues:

Critics argue that the book promotes a narrative that downplays the role of structural inequalities and suggests that individuals can solely overcome challenges through positive thinking, without addressing larger societal issues that impact Black communities.

Unrealistic expectations:

The notion that merely visualizing your desires will manifest them in reality is seen as unrealistic, especially when considering the barriers faced by marginalized groups.

Individualistic focus:

The book's focus on individual agency can be perceived as neglecting the collective impact of social structures and the need for systemic change

Jessica's avatar

It is definitely a sheltered white person's book.

Theresa's avatar

If the secret had any basis in reality- I would be able to manifest the end of racism, homophobia and misogyny. Alas, I guess I haven’t tried hard enough

Ed's avatar

logically it is your fault, Theresa 🤣

Barb's avatar

You nailed it.

Barbara's avatar

I always learn something historic in your posts. Another great one! I read the Secret years ago and was like ummm...

Stephen's avatar

I remember vaguely hearing about the books years ago. In college, I used to listen to the Scientologists spouting their nonsense outside their “church” while waiting for friends to wrap up their classes. It struck me that The Secret pushed the same type of beliefs that the Scientologists flogged. Cutting people out who were dragging you down, etc. I’ve never done a deep dive into them other than listening to them talk and trying to understand how they didn’t realize they were in a cult, but I think you can include them as a descendant of the Cristian Scientists discussed here.

Jessica's avatar

Absolutely. I'll have to dig more into Scientology and where they intersect with Christian Science. I bet there's some cool weird history there.

Maloyo's avatar

I suspect Ernest Holmes’ “Science of Mind”, and Charles and Myrtle Fillmore’s Unity church intersect more than Scientology. Unity is like Christian Science but does not reject regular medical treatment seeing a place for both. That has probably saved them a lot of lawsuits over the years.

Stephen's avatar

I’d love to read an article on what you find out.

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Nov 18, 2024
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Jessica's avatar

Yep. And yet, I heard Tom Cruise took Covid way more seriously than anyone else in Hollywood. I don't know if he still does.

Ed's avatar

Maybe this rumour came from the film he made during covid. The insurers had obvious concerns but gave the go ahead.

Cruise made a point of distributing a filmed rant at the crew about not social distancing. The audience were the insurers and lawyers. “He did everything in his power” etc.

Maloyo's avatar

Also the Science of Mind by Ernest Holmes. Louise Hay popularized him in the 1980s. She wrote many books, probably the most popular being “You Can Heal Your Life.”

There is also Unity. Their School of Christianity is in Kansas City. Seems like most decent sized cities have a Unity church.

Clive Smith's avatar

Never heard of the book, but it sounds very American.