Comments on: The Truth About Oprah Winfrey - The Secret - and Poverty http://www.steve-olson.com/the-truth-about-oprah-winfrey-the-secret-and-poverty/ On a Quest for Personal Freedom Sat, 05 Jul 2008 19:25:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3 By: Thomas http://www.steve-olson.com/the-truth-about-oprah-winfrey-the-secret-and-poverty/#comment-102339 Thomas Wed, 11 Jun 2008 23:53:18 +0000 http://www.steve-olson.com/the-truth-about-oprah-winfrey-the-secret-and-poverty/#comment-102339 Human experience is so varied. I have seen the video of 'the Secret' Let's face it, most of the time they are talking about the gaining of 'stuff'.New bike,car, cruise,man/woman.etc. Hey, if the secret is so powerfull hows' about aiming at people who really have nothing, like in so many parts of the world that don't get Oprah? Hows' about alittle world peace?.Even though I feel there is some truth to it, what I believe is that it is Gods will that is the flow of reality.Within this, humans can 'tweak' the flow somewhat but only if it is in the best intrest of reality.If our will is in line with God/Creaters will more can happen. I have lived both in poverty and wealth and found f####d up thinking more or less the same throughout. Rich are better at covering this up with manners and money.It is the fault of the rich the suffering of the poor in many cases.I've seen heros rich and poor. Umungst the poor heroism is that much more potent where a cigarette is a piece of gold. I admire those that give on the front lines, in situations where there is no return....no secret....just the right thing alot more than millionares giving to make themselves feel better and dodge tax Oprahs not evil but I sure miss the old vulnerable none faux guru Oprah that wasn't afraid of interviewing a transexual like a regular person. Human experience is so varied. I have seen the video of ‘the Secret’ Let’s face it, most of the time they are talking about the gaining of ’stuff’.New bike,car, cruise,man/woman.etc. Hey, if the secret is so powerfull hows’ about aiming at people who really have nothing, like in so many parts of the world that don’t get Oprah? Hows’ about alittle world peace?.Even though I feel there is some truth to it, what I believe is that it is Gods will that is the flow of reality.Within this, humans can ‘tweak’ the flow somewhat but only if it is in the best intrest of reality.If our will is in line with God/Creaters will more can happen. I have lived both in poverty and wealth and found f####d up thinking more or less the same throughout. Rich are better at covering this up with manners and money.It is the fault of the rich the suffering of the poor in many cases.I’ve seen heros rich and poor. Umungst the poor heroism is that much more potent where a cigarette is a piece of gold.
I admire those that give on the front lines, in situations where there is no return….no secret….just the right thing alot more than millionares giving to make themselves feel better and dodge tax
Oprahs not evil but I sure miss the old vulnerable none faux guru Oprah that wasn’t afraid of interviewing a transexual like a regular person.

]]> By: PacificGatePost http://www.steve-olson.com/the-truth-about-oprah-winfrey-the-secret-and-poverty/#comment-101903 PacificGatePost Mon, 09 Jun 2008 20:02:11 +0000 http://www.steve-olson.com/the-truth-about-oprah-winfrey-the-secret-and-poverty/#comment-101903 On the heals of The Secret’s financial success have come more blatherings, and repetitive rehashings of old ideas, badly presented and argued. One re-printed concoction which gave root to The Secret is The Science of Success by Wallace D. Wattles. Without delving into the endless incomprehensibly egocentric and materialistic pronouncements, one peculiar statement exemplifies the kind of insight provided by such books. The author claims “To fully live in soul, man must have love, and love is denied expression by poverty.” There aren’t very many interpretations possible for such denigration of humanity. Given that the vast majority of the world’s population is considered poor, it shouldn’t expect to either be capable of love, nor able to be loved. Your not being rich means you’re out of luck. At the diametrically opposite end of the spectrum exploring the ego and the soul is a book that presents a powerful counter-balance to narcissistic salvation of soul and body presented by The Secret and The Science of Success. That book is My Self, My Soul by J. deBar. Even the tone to a difficult subject are refreshing. While some not so subtle cult creation presentation methods permeate the how-to-make-a-fast-buck “answers to life” books, “My Self, My Soul” refrains from sermonizing. It was welcome antidote to too many readings that just don’t digest well. On the heals of The Secret’s financial success have come more blatherings, and repetitive rehashings of old ideas, badly presented and argued. One re-printed concoction which gave root to The Secret is The Science of Success by Wallace D. Wattles.

Without delving into the endless incomprehensibly egocentric and materialistic pronouncements, one peculiar statement exemplifies the kind of insight provided by such books. The author claims “To fully live in soul, man must have love, and love is denied expression by poverty.” There aren’t very many interpretations possible for such denigration of humanity. Given that the vast majority of the world’s population is considered poor, it shouldn’t expect to either be capable of love, nor able to be loved. Your not being rich means you’re out of luck.

At the diametrically opposite end of the spectrum exploring the ego and the soul is a book that presents a powerful counter-balance to narcissistic salvation of soul and body presented by The Secret and The Science of Success. That book is My Self, My Soul by J. deBar. Even the tone to a difficult subject are refreshing.

While some not so subtle cult creation presentation methods permeate the how-to-make-a-fast-buck “answers to life” books, “My Self, My Soul” refrains from sermonizing. It was welcome antidote to too many readings that just don’t digest well.

]]> By: Bb http://www.steve-olson.com/the-truth-about-oprah-winfrey-the-secret-and-poverty/#comment-100467 Bb Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:11:01 +0000 http://www.steve-olson.com/the-truth-about-oprah-winfrey-the-secret-and-poverty/#comment-100467 Gail -I agree with everything you said about God and His power. "The secret" is Jesus Christ. He died on the cross for our sins. He took upon His flesh all of the curses that fell upon mankind after Adam and Eve Disobeyed God in the garden. He has taken away sickness , sin, and poverty, For those of us who believe. -So in sense YES those who believe ABSOLUTELY have the power to change their lives. But it's called FAITH... -Although I highly disagree with your rant about the Church. Because I have gone to church all my life. A church that teaches in accordance with you state you believe and what I in agreement believe. The Bible is the word of God and If they teach from the word, they teach the truth. Gail
-I agree with everything you said about God and His power. “The secret” is Jesus Christ. He died on the cross for our sins. He took upon His flesh all of the curses that fell upon mankind after Adam and Eve Disobeyed God in the garden. He has taken away sickness , sin, and poverty, For those of us who believe. -So in sense YES those who believe ABSOLUTELY have the power to change their lives. But it’s called FAITH…
-Although I highly disagree with your rant about the Church. Because I have gone to church all my life. A church that teaches in accordance with you state you believe and what I in agreement believe. The Bible is the word of God and If they teach from the word, they teach the truth.

]]> By: Bill Brooks http://www.steve-olson.com/the-truth-about-oprah-winfrey-the-secret-and-poverty/#comment-90345 Bill Brooks Sat, 19 Apr 2008 14:01:06 +0000 http://www.steve-olson.com/the-truth-about-oprah-winfrey-the-secret-and-poverty/#comment-90345 I would like to leave you a poem that says exactly what I think of Oprah and her supposedly power If you'll allow me to do so. I do not like the woman and never have but I remained silent until she did a show that interfered with my life. This I think she has no right to do and since I'm not rich and can't confront her legally I simply wrote a poem about how I feel. I would like to leave you a poem that says exactly what I think of Oprah and her supposedly power

If you’ll allow me to do so.

I do not like the woman and never have but I remained silent until she did a show that interfered with my life. This I think she has no right to do and since I’m not rich and can’t confront her legally I simply wrote a poem about how I feel.

]]> By: Asia'h Epperson http://www.steve-olson.com/the-truth-about-oprah-winfrey-the-secret-and-poverty/#comment-87848 Asia'h Epperson Sat, 05 Apr 2008 18:23:43 +0000 http://www.steve-olson.com/the-truth-about-oprah-winfrey-the-secret-and-poverty/#comment-87848 All things said and done, Oprah Winfrey must be given some credit for the many social endeavors she and her organization attempts to do. This must not be seen as publicity hogging. Maybe the cars she gives away on her shows might be deemed as such but a little credit for the many many lives Oprah has touched will need to be acknowledged and applauded. All things said and done, Oprah Winfrey must be given some credit for the many social endeavors she and her organization attempts to do. This must not be seen as publicity hogging. Maybe the cars she gives away on her shows might be deemed as such but a little credit for the many many lives Oprah has touched will need to be acknowledged and applauded.

]]> By: Law of Attraction » What is the “Secret”? http://www.steve-olson.com/the-truth-about-oprah-winfrey-the-secret-and-poverty/#comment-67072 Law of Attraction » What is the “Secret”? Sun, 30 Dec 2007 22:02:53 +0000 http://www.steve-olson.com/the-truth-about-oprah-winfrey-the-secret-and-poverty/#comment-67072 [...] scrupulously avoid competitiveness. another important injunction is to give back to the Universe. Steve Olsen says “The Secret tells people they have the power to change the way they think. Every positive [...] […] scrupulously avoid competitiveness. another important injunction is to give back to the Universe. Steve Olsen says “The Secret tells people they have the power to change the way they think. Every positive […]

]]> By: Dabulamanzi http://www.steve-olson.com/the-truth-about-oprah-winfrey-the-secret-and-poverty/#comment-38953 Dabulamanzi Wed, 29 Aug 2007 07:16:07 +0000 http://www.steve-olson.com/the-truth-about-oprah-winfrey-the-secret-and-poverty/#comment-38953 'The poor are responsible for their poverty.' This right-wing nostrum ignores the way in which society is structured and serves as a rationale for the further decimation of social services and government benefits. Over the past 3 decades the majority of Americans have seen a real decline in their incomes and living standards while a thin layer at the top (which, incidentally includes Oprah) has seen an unprecedented escalation of their wealth to almost obscene proportions. 'The Secret' of American life, the glaringly obvious fact that no-one wants to talk about, is the vast and growing gulf of social and economic inequality between the majority and the tiny elite that controls economic and cultural life in America. In effect, a vast upwards transfer of wealth has occurred. This process of accumulation has ruined the lives of millions and has resulted in the destruction of entire communities. And what does Oprah advocate? The notion that you are solely and entirely responsible for your present circumstances. This austere creed of individualism is somewhat strange in a world where everything that you eat, drink, wear, hear and watch is the result of a vast and complicated social process involving thousands of people. The atomisation of society, social isolation and economic hardship - this is the engine that drives the self-help industry. The philanthropy of Oprah, Warren Buffet, Bill Gates and the like is only possible in a society rooted in inequality where the generosity of a few is meant to address the deprivation of many. No serious person can think that the great social problems facing our society can be resolved in this way. Altogether, there is something rotten about this. ‘The poor are responsible for their poverty.’ This right-wing nostrum ignores the way in which society is structured and serves as a rationale for the further decimation of social services and government benefits.

Over the past 3 decades the majority of Americans have seen a real decline in their incomes and living standards while a thin layer at the top (which, incidentally includes Oprah) has seen an unprecedented escalation of their wealth to almost obscene proportions. ‘The Secret’ of American life, the glaringly obvious fact that no-one wants to talk about, is the vast and growing gulf of social and economic inequality between the majority and the tiny elite that controls economic and cultural life in America. In effect, a vast upwards transfer of wealth has occurred. This process of accumulation has ruined the lives of millions and has resulted in the destruction of entire communities. And what does Oprah advocate? The notion that you are solely and entirely responsible for your present circumstances. This austere creed of individualism is somewhat strange in a world where everything that you eat, drink, wear, hear and watch is the result of a vast and complicated social process involving thousands of people. The atomisation of society, social isolation and economic hardship - this is the engine that drives the self-help industry.

The philanthropy of Oprah, Warren Buffet, Bill Gates and the like is only possible in a society rooted in inequality where the generosity of a few is meant to address the deprivation of many. No serious person can think that the great social problems facing our society can be resolved in this way. Altogether, there is something rotten about this.

]]> By: Elfi http://www.steve-olson.com/the-truth-about-oprah-winfrey-the-secret-and-poverty/#comment-38398 Elfi Mon, 27 Aug 2007 05:02:08 +0000 http://www.steve-olson.com/the-truth-about-oprah-winfrey-the-secret-and-poverty/#comment-38398 I think we all should look inside our selfs.............dont worry when peopel say neghative things. I believe in THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING I think we all should look inside our selfs………….dont worry when peopel say neghative things. I believe in THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING

]]> By: John http://www.steve-olson.com/the-truth-about-oprah-winfrey-the-secret-and-poverty/#comment-32930 John Fri, 27 Jul 2007 00:25:23 +0000 http://www.steve-olson.com/the-truth-about-oprah-winfrey-the-secret-and-poverty/#comment-32930 Wow, that was a great article! Also a great post by you too Gail. Positive thinking can go a long way in helping a person to achieve success. After all, a common mentality among people is that "well something bad happened...I must not have been meant to get that job." That is not biblically accurate, and it does not help you to achieve anything. If you want to achieve anything in life, be prepared for hardships. If everyone gave up the first time it didn't work out and said "It must not have been meant to happen," then the world would not be where it is today. Wow, that was a great article! Also a great post by you too Gail. Positive thinking can go a long way in helping a person to achieve success. After all, a common mentality among people is that “well something bad happened…I must not have been meant to get that job.” That is not biblically accurate, and it does not help you to achieve anything.

If you want to achieve anything in life, be prepared for hardships. If everyone gave up the first time it didn’t work out and said “It must not have been meant to happen,” then the world would not be where it is today.

]]> By: Al http://www.steve-olson.com/the-truth-about-oprah-winfrey-the-secret-and-poverty/#comment-31241 Al Mon, 16 Jul 2007 11:41:52 +0000 http://www.steve-olson.com/the-truth-about-oprah-winfrey-the-secret-and-poverty/#comment-31241 Steve, Your article appears to assume only people who have lived in the ghetto and suffered extreme poverty and abuse can offer any credible knowledge or opinion on the Secret philosophy. Are the only people criticizing the Secret rich, wealthy journalists who want more readers? I am not well known, I come from a traumatizing background, my finances aren't set in stone, and I am outraged at the Secret campaign! Think positively, overcome hardship, have gratitude, and cultivate a desire for a better life are wonderful things, but the Secret doesn't stop there. They claim scientific proof on quantum mechanics theories that are unproven, and the logical contradictories are throughout, That quote you gave on victims and how the Secret views them is incomplete, because how can the law of attraction be constant, precise, unbiased, impartial, and followers of the Secret not see innocents as attracting the rapist or murderer? If they do see innocents as attracting that, how are they not holding them responsible for attracting it? Having it be random or saying they don't deserve it totally discredits the "objective" law of attraction. The teachers always want to use their philosophy on the self help side of topics and language, but they can't ignore that it works on the horrible events side also. If innocents are raped, and you believe in the law of attraction, don' t sugarcoat it, say you believe they attracted the crime! Which is ludicrous. I see all this language on how you want to fudge the real meaning of the Secret, when really you are just deceiving yourself, the Secret victim bashes in the most ridiculous of ways! I would love to have people suffering feel relief quickly, but not by a lie. The Secret is salt on a wound, keep pouring and eventually you will feel what it really is, especially for the poor and desperate. Steve,
Your article appears to assume only people who have lived in the ghetto and suffered extreme poverty and abuse can offer any credible knowledge or opinion on the Secret philosophy. Are the only people criticizing the Secret rich, wealthy journalists who want more readers? I am not well known, I come from a traumatizing background, my finances aren’t set in stone, and I am outraged at the Secret campaign! Think positively, overcome hardship, have gratitude, and cultivate a desire for a better life are wonderful things, but the Secret doesn’t stop there. They claim scientific proof on quantum mechanics
theories that are unproven, and the logical contradictories are throughout, That quote you gave on victims and how the Secret views them is incomplete, because how can the law of attraction be constant, precise, unbiased, impartial, and followers of the Secret not see innocents as attracting the rapist or murderer? If they do see innocents as attracting that, how are they not holding them responsible for attracting it? Having it be random or saying they don’t deserve it totally discredits the “objective” law of attraction. The teachers always want to use their philosophy on the self help side of topics and language, but they can’t ignore that it works on the horrible events side also. If innocents are raped, and you believe in the law of attraction, don’ t sugarcoat it, say you believe they attracted the crime! Which is ludicrous. I see all this language on how you want to fudge the real meaning of the Secret, when really you are just deceiving yourself, the Secret victim bashes in the most ridiculous of ways! I would love to have people suffering feel relief quickly, but not by a lie. The Secret is salt on a wound, keep pouring and eventually you will feel what it really is, especially for the poor and desperate.

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