I should have picked a better title for this write-up but the one above sounds far catchier than the alternative – How online self-help slop is creating a generation of delusional youth. Here’s the thing folks, I see a lot many young readers slogging to ready heavy books on psychology, classic self-help, new ‘hacks’ and the ’10 things to get rich’ kinda books that I cannot help but notice how delusional we have become about reading books. There’s this whole part of Instagram and YouTube (Well YT especially) which is a labyrinth of repackaged self-help slop.

In the early days of 2012s YT was blowing up in India. The common man was able to buy a smartphone (the cheap plasticy MicroMax) for less than 7000 bucks and suddenly a million Indians were online. Everyone had started consuming videos on YT and hooked onto them like saline in their veins. Later in 2016-2017 came Jio and everyone had access to reasonably good internet speed for a couple of rupees. This movement of cheap internet was followed suit by other telecom operators and soon everyone was online. People were glued to their phones and soon the whole world became ‘small’ in many respects. Everyone I knew consumed videos like digging into popcorn in a dark theater – you are always surprised when it ends (except now it doesn’t). This availability of cheap internet and devices gave rise to what I call Online self-help gurus. People who consume generic content and repackage them into what they call – Secret to DASH (fill in the blank with your favorite word). I have always stayed away from these “Life Coaches” who IMO are leeches who live off people’s insecurities. Not that there weren’t any before 2012 but the internet boom has suddenly made everyone a coach. Your neighbor, Your Manager, Your CEO – and definitely your Mom. Everyone has a PhD in Motivation.

Back in school I was introduced to this book called as ‘The secret’ by one of our teachers. I was initially fascinated by the idea that by thought alone we can manifest things into reality. On paper it sounds good and the book gives us some examples around that idea but growing up I have come to realize that it was all baloney. While the book has sold millions of copies worldwide duping its readers into believing that they can get a million dollars by focusing on it intently, I have nothing but admiration for the author Rhonda Bryne who was able to pull this off. Swindling people is no easy job.

The other talked about Self Help book is ‘Think and grow rich’ by Napolean Hill. While I am not against every idea in the book, I can confidently say that 30% of the book is pseudo-science. It’s fascinating to see that even the most literate and learned in our society praise this book. The author has been accused of making illegitimate claims like how he has interviewed 500 successful people and that it was commissioned by Andrew Carnegie himself. Such self-help books mix truth with fiction. If you sell voodoo advice to readers then it will not sell, and they know it. Hence they add generic advice to make the book sound logical and evidence backed.

Back in the 2010 era there was another such swindler who was popular on YouTube. Tai Lopez. If you go to YT and search for “Here in my garage with my Lamborghini” which has garnered millions of views, you will see a swarm of comments against this guy. He has become a meme on the internet because it was so obvious. He claimed to amass a fortune by reading books and guess what? People believed him. Bought his online courses which were just upsells for even expensive ones and now is he jailed for running a ponzi scheme. You’d be surprised how easily people are manipulated if you show them a supercar with your course. Works like a charm.

The easiest way to catch hold of such frauds is to simply write down what they are speaking and reading out aloud. You will realize that everyone is speaking generic advice – stuff you already know. Work Hard. Sleep early. Eat good food. Avoid bad company. Upgrade yourself. – It’s the no nonsense stuff which you will find on a kindergarten good habits book (highly recommend a re-read BTW). We have been brainwashed to think that there is some “Secretive” knowledge out there which will transform our lives. Books that will make us richer, fitter, wiser and more refined. I do agree that certain books are beneficial but honestly after reading my fair share (I have two cupboards worth of self-help books) I have understood that the best advice is – To put your head down and do the work. Classic GTD formula.

By no means am I saying that all self help is bad. Some of it is genuine. Backed by real science and written by credible authors. But for the most part everything is a show. Post 2018 we have seen an avalanche of self help gurus online trying to sell courses or their secret sauce which they claim will be life changing. Just like medical intervention if the root cause is not diagnosed and treated then the problem will persist – which I am sure these online gurus are not adept in handling. Some of them taking on heavier roles like masquerading as a psychologist throwing away medical jargon right and left to sound legitimate. The vast general public does not have the wisdom to know which is medically sound advice and which is not. I personally know people who have gone bankrupt after buying courses from such fraudsters out of ignorance. People need to understand that just becuase someone is a public speaker, that does not necessarily mean that they are a domain expert. People usually fall for the charisma and charm that a public speaker exuberates to his audience. Nothing more than a gimmick although I must admit that it needs solid skills to pull it off correctly.

The motivational industry is aptly named – Hope Factory for a reason. The speeches and sessions are all centered around what you could be. None of it is real. Its about giving you a sneak peek of what can transpire if every star of the universe aligns perfectly. The testimonies are rehearsed and almost always fake. As of 2025 when I am writing this article, there are probably a dozen formats to consume superfluous motivational content. Books, Podcasts, Videos, Reels, Courses and live seminars just to name a few. Only a handful of these resources are helpful – most of it is self-help junkyard.