COMPLAINTS – Yes, we get them

COMPLAINTS.

YES, WE GET COMPLAINTS ON THIS BLOG.

So, in the interest of transparency, I thought I would share them with you.

The original post is over a month old and you might miss my answer.

First, I want to say thanks to Michael and Jerry who took the time to comment. Both remarks were on the review I wrote about Debbie Ford’s movie, The Shadow Effect.

HERE ARE THE COMPLAINTS -

From Michael -

I wasted $23 (DVD, S+H) for a shallow infomercial with almost no information; this was just a commercial for Debbie Ford’s classes. It is not exactly a revelation that we have a “dark side.” Plenty of other new-agy clichés await on the DVD – like you project onto others what you don’t like about yourself – WOW – never thought of that!! And the production was so cheesy; stupid re-enactments and truly overbearing corny music blasting through the entire thing. The music is what made the whole DVD seem somewhat humorous, since every sad story was accompanied by truly corny music, every triumph accompanied be corny triumphant music. The filmmakers knew they had nothing and so they thought they would fool people into thinking they were actually seeing something by putting in really loud self important music. The music attempts to “project” what we are supposed to feel, talk about “projecting! There was nothing to this movie – what a waste, don’t waste your money!

From Jerry -

Michael, I haven’t seen it but I’m not surprised by your experience. New Age/Personal Transformation promoters abound, with a very few being of some value and most just used car sales people without the garish checkered sport coats and mis-matched slacks. In fact the really bad New Age types will dress in robes, usually white, or have a glow from sloppy Photo Shop editing. They mostly have a run of a couple of years where they are IN, then slowly fade like a washed up musician playing ever seedier clubs and bars. Remember Gary Zukav? Once a high flyer, now playing 75 seat auditoriums if he can get that. Caroline Myss? Where did she go to? Wayne Dyer is still spouting the same inane drivel he has done for the last decade…no change there. My advice: save your money or spend it on chocolate or beer. NOBODY is going to sell you the answer to anything of any value for $29.95.

MY ANSWER –

There is no doubt that interest in the self help sector has lagged. Transitions Bookplace, a large personal growth bookstore in Chicago, filed for bankruptcy last year.  Wonderful people.  My heart broke for them. Their author presentations were packed almost every day.

Perhaps, the economy contributed to this.  When people are choosing between the latest self improvement books and improving their credit score by paying down debt, the books lose.

Overall, the publishing business is down.

Or – Are people just done?  Is this phase of self help run its course?  Are we tapped out?

My impression of these commentators is that they are extremely well versed in the whole arena of self improvement.  They have their PhD’s and were probably in on it from the first wave.

For people like them, there was nothing new in Debbie Ford’s movie. I have to agree with them.  Nothing new for me.

Since my job for years was interviewing these authors on TV, I must have read a thousand books on the subject.

But there are still “beginners” out there.  We must not abandon them.  Information in Debbie’s movie about discovering the hidden “shadows” that hold us back could be revolutionary and a revelation.   She did a good job at explaining it.

And hey – what’s wrong with her selling her classes?  I get at least four offers in my email a day that promise if I buy their program, I will be guaranteed millions on the Internet. They want a couple of thousand dollars for the information.

Paying $29. for the movie is chump change.

A few more comments from my experience -

There was a rumor that when Oprah’s people called Gary Zukav for an interview, he hung up on them.  He did not know who Oprah was.

I tried to convince him to come on my TV show and he kept putting me off.  He seemed shy and very uncomfortable with publicity.  He probably just did what was in his publication contract.  I never got him to come on.  We probably will not hear anything much from him unless he has a new book.

Wayne Dyer is another story.  His last book, “Excuses Begone!” hit the top of the best seller list.  Wayne is the real deal and he continues to draw crowds.  I think his success is grounded in his common sense approach.  He is not a “woo-woo” author.

Caroline Myss?  She has just come out with a brand new book that I am eager to read.  It is called Defy Gravity. Fascinating title.  Click here for the full scoop on Caroline.

So, Michael and Jerry – thanks again for weighing in here.  I love people who disagree.  Makes it more interesting.

Chocolate and beer are much better choices for your money. Enjoy!

Personally, I prefer vodka.  It is a quicker fix.

The Shadow Effect – Debbie Ford movie

Picture by Morela

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