Musings and Mutterings

When this "Secret" thing first appeared, I bite my tongue, electronically-speaking, and kept my rant offline. Unfortunately, it has come back, hitting the number 1 best-seller's list. So, stop me if you've heard this one before... no, on second thought, don't... it should appear terribly familiar.

You are privileged to an opportunity of a lifetime, a chance to sweep all your bad fortune away almost effortlessly. I offer you something known to the ancients of [insert ancient real/imaginary civilization here. Egypt is always a good bet, or Atlantis], passed down through the centuries and known only to the chosen few. Those who possessed this achieved great [wealth/power/prosperity/acclaim/wisdom/favour of the god(dess)(s)] and count among their rank [insert list of long-dead famous people. da Vinci is currently trendy, but Jesus is another good one]. Though the [academics/clerics/politicians/secret society] who control what we know of history would have us believe different, these people achieved their dreams relatively effortlessly AND YOU CAN, TOO. The [knowledge/item] has long been suppressed by those who seek to keep you down, hidden from the unwashed masses by [insert powerful group. The RC Church is currently in vogue]. But recently this [knowledge/item] has been revealed to me and I, in my benevolence, offer it to you. What do I ask in return? But a pittance, for I do this as my gift to the world, to make it a better place for all. But don't just trust my word, ask [insert current famous/powerful people who provide endorsement] and [insert list of average people who provide endorsement] who, even now, benefit from this [knowledge/item].

Familiar? It should be because it is an old, old game. From the "piece of the true cross" to "The Secret", from selling "Dr. MacGillicutty's Cure-All" to "The Holy Grail", the formula varies little and is often successful. Let us deconstruct "The Secret"'s sales pitch.

( Cut so that you don't have to read my rantings )

/rant