Steve Salerno, author of the book Sham, is not a fan of the self help industry. Tony Robbins, Dr. Phil, Jack Canfield and Suze Orman are just a few of the well-known self help authors and experts referred to as "false prophets" in this chilling expose of what Salerno calls the "Self Help and Actualization Movement" (conveniently creating the acronym SHAM).
According to the author, this multi-billion dollar industry is full of "experts" with thin credentials looking to make a quick buck on a population of self-proclaimed victims who deny personal responsibility and seek quick-fix, easy solutions to some of life's most demanding issues.
Sham Investigates All Areas of the Self Help Industry With the Same Tenacity
Steve Salerno is an investigative journalist and, though he may appear to have a specific axe to grind against some new age self help gurus, he actually approaches all areas of self help with the same skepticism. Whether he's analyzing the works of spiritual guru Deepak Chopra or the inner workings of recovery groups like Alcoholics Anonymous, Salerno approaches each with equal contempt and cynicism, suggesting that all areas of the self help industry are plagued by the same problem—namely, that they don't seem to provide much tangible resolution to the problems they supposedly address.
The Financial Side of the Self Help Industry
The amount of money floating around the self help industry is perhaps the biggest legitimate concern raised in the book. As of 2005, when Sham was published, the industry reportedly grossed $8.56 billion annually. The profits being made by some of the most well-known experts like Dr. Laura, Dr. Phil and Tony Robbins are astounding. These self help gurus (and others aspiring to be like them) sell books, CDs, DVDs and other products by the thousands each day. They hold enormous events and seminars with ticket prices as high as $5000 per attendee. The author questions what the purchasers are truly getting for their dollars suggesting it may amount to little more than a comforting pat on the head. The
Psychological Impacts of the Self Help Industry on Society
Salerno also questions the psychological toll the self help industry has on society. He suggests that growing masses of people now "renounce ownership" of their lives, as they've been conditioned to think of every human defect as a disease or a dysfunction over which they have no control. The author clearly believes the self help industry simply provides excuses for one's own failings and, in the process, causes greater damage in supporting a victim mentality. "If individuals are driven by dark circumstances and barely remembered (but irresistible) forces from childhood, how could they be blamed for whatever stupid or immoral acts they committed along the way?" asks Salerno.
Ultimately, Sham is an interesting though biased take on an industry that many consider life saving. Salerno hardly leaves room for the possibility that folks like Tony Robbins and Dr. Phil are actually helping desperate people in need of support and advice. Regardless of their qualifications which, for many self help authors and experts, admittedly leave much to be desired, there's no denying that these people have had a positive impact on the lives of millions. Otherwise, their books would stop selling, their seminars would be empty and their followers would cease to follow. However, the industry continues to grow, and with it, the fame and fortune of its most charismatic leaders.
Source:
Sham: How the Self-Help Movement Made America Helpless by Steve Salerno; Three Rivers Press, 2005. ISBN-10: 1-4000-5410-9
Christine Scivicque - Chrissy has been a passionate student of personal development for over 15 years. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration ...
