No Secret (2)

A prologue of “The Secret” in dissection...

"The Secret has existed throughout the history of humankind. It has been discovered, coveted, suppressed, hidden, lost and recovered. It has been hunted down, stolen, and bought for vast sums of money. Now for the first time in history, The Secret is being revealed to the world over two breathtaking hours."
Is it just me or do I hear more of a sales pitch than anything here. "Let's play on the general populaces weakness and prone nature to things of controversy! Let's not back up any historical claims either so that they don't focus on this part of the pitch."

"A number of exceptional men and women discovered The Secret, and went on to become known as the greatest people who ever lived. Among them: Plato, Leonardo, Galileo, Napoleon, Hugo, Beethoven, Lincoln, Edison, Einstein and Carnegie, to name but a few."
More (in)validation, this time by way of name dropping. Why? Because people who are too lazy to research (which is most people) will think that if these people did it it must be real and it must be worth trying. A simple tactic that sadly works quite well in the general populace. I should mention I have found no evidence of this claim being true, as it is stated. While these people have certainly held optimism in their lives and have had success they have not known "The Secret" as presented.

"Fragments of The Secret have been found in the oral traditions, in literature, in religions and philosophies throughout the centuries. For the first time, all the pieces of The Secret come together in an incredible revelation which will be life transforming for all who experience it."
Point of fact, this is a deceptive statement. While it holds a truth (that people throughout history have chosen to think good thoughts and have a good perspective in life) it dresses that truth up to be more than it really is. Instead of saying that they held an optimists perspective and it benefited them they play into that truth with an addition that suits them. Precisely that such an attitude allows a person to physically change the world to suit themselves by way of mind waves. Tricky indeed.

"Some of today's greatest teachers will be presented in The Secret and will impart this special wisdom that has been known by so few. They include some of the world's leaders in the fields of business, economics, medicine, psychology, history, theology and science. Each of these teachers is living proof of The Secret; each of them a walking marvel of achievement and success..."
"known by so few"? Yet just a moment ago they were happy to play on "fragments...found in the oral traditions, in literature, in religions and philosophies throughout the centuries". Please lets be careful when we're pedaling snake oils. And what is this "They include some of the world's leaders"? Well that's one way to make a safety net that covers most realms people are interested in. It really seems like they want us to believe based on what they say others have done. "Special wisdom"? Far from it. "living proof"? Don't get me started.

"Included are; 'Miracle Man' Morris Goodman, who tells his awe inspiring story of how he recovered from paralysis by using The Secret. Dr. Denis Waitley, who used various aspects of The Secret in training Olympic athletes and Apollo astronauts to reach new heights of human endeavor. Best selling authors and philosophers including Bob Proctor, John Assaraf, James Ray and Joe Vitale, explain how they have created lives of phenomenal success utilizing The Secret. Doctors in the fields of medicine and quantum physics explain the science behind The Secret."
How many miracles happen per day that are not ascribed to Him who makes miracles? That one man listed does not give glory appropriately is no sign that he himself has made a miracle. Let's please be careful as to what glasses we use in life. Let's also be careful as to what we define as miracle. "Doctors in the fields of medicine and quantum physics..." Doctors and Quantum physics? First off Doctors are out of their element here and their testimony should carry the appropriate weight. Second Quantum Physics is far from a perfected and flawless science often enough as full of problems as swiss cheese is of holes and as such should carry the same weight as well.

"The Secret reveals amazing real life stories and testimonials of regular people who have changed their lives in profound ways. By applying The Secret they present instances of eradicating disease, acquiring massive wealth, overcoming obstacles and achieving what many would regard as impossible."
Interesting wording, "by applying The Secret". By applying any ideal or system to what is already happening in life we can see patterns, this holds true for so very many things. I've even seen video games that carried over into life if a person was willing to apply its values in the real world. This applied ideal however is not equal from one to the next (ideals and applications are not equal in validity). The ideal that must hold up under scrutiny, not whether it applies in life since nearly every ideal can be fitted to a life application on some level. So this statement, while at face value holds truth to it, is simply a sales point. Hoping to pull in the hopeful.

"The Secret reveals how to apply this powerful knowledge to your life in every area from health to wealth, to success and relationships."
What can you promise to the general populace that will guarantee to perk up ears? Personal wealth, personal health, personal power and even personal relationships that are to your likening. What heart of man holds no greed that does endeavor to succeed. And so all who hold no greater value than themselves, with eyes wide, look to this "special wisdom" created by men. Overlooking the grand design and all that it holds. Lost to a deception that even deceives its creators.

"The Secret is everything you have dreamed of... and is beyond your wildest dreams."
The Secret is only...a wild dream.