Self-Help: What Went Wrong?

The video explores the evolution of the self-help industry, highlighting its origins in working-class movements and its transformation into a billion-dollar industry focused on individualism. It discusses key figures like Dale Carnegie and Samuel Smiles, cultural shifts, and the impact of economic conditions like the Great Depression. The video critiques modern self-help for its focus on personal responsibility and questions its role in addressing broader societal issues.

What is a key reason for the booming self-help industry in America?

• A decrease in mental health awareness

• A decline in educational standards

• An obsession with self-improvement

• A rise in unemployment rates

Who is considered the founding father of the modern American self-help movement?

• Stephen Watts

• Tim Ferriss

• Mark Zuckerberg

• Dale Carnegie

What was a significant factor in Dale Carnegie's success?

• His background in psychology

• The support of religious institutions

• The economic conditions of the Great Depression

• His innovative marketing techniques

What societal change helped facilitate the rise of self-help?

• The increase in agricultural jobs

• The decline of Victorian values

• The rise of religious institutions

• The decrease in urban migration

What cultural shift accompanied the rise of self-help?

• A move from consumerism to production

• A shift from individualism to collectivism

• A transition from producer-oriented to consumer-oriented society

• A change from secularism to religious focus

What was the original focus of self-help movements in 19th century England?

• Political campaigning

• Religious education

• Collective improvement

• Individual wealth accumulation

Who was a major influence on the transition of self-help from collective to individual focus?

• George Jacob Holyoake

• Samuel Smiles

• Jane Fonda

• Helen Gurley Brown

How has the focus of self-help shifted in recent decades?

• From collective improvement to individual success

• From economic stability to political activism

• From individual success to community welfare

• From personal growth to environmental awareness

What is a modern focus of self-help books?

• Maintaining traditional family values

• Maximizing personal value in the labor market

• Promoting religious teachings

• Encouraging political activism

What is a common theme in self-help books from the 1970s onwards?

• Political reform

• Environmental conservation

• Community building

• Ruthless self-interest