because it’s not new, it was just wrapped in a good title. It’s astonishing how much a book with a good title can sell if it lands just right.
(Relatively) benign example: Mark Manson’s “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck”. Basically a summary of the greats of philosophy and psychology, age old but often solid advice, brings nothing new to the table, but repackaged as a blunt chat with your bro / self-help book so it’s quite accessible. Padded out and repeats itself like most self-help books because $$$, sometimes contradicts himself, 8 million copies sold.
Bad example: Peterson’s “12 Rules for Life”. Same as above, but overly wordy because the author’s vain, includes stuff like long discredited Jungian crap and religious nonsense, more egregious elementary mistakes, and mixed with his own stupid political opinions. Part of the alt-right pipeline. 10 million copies sold.
Honestly, I think schools should force kids to read Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations and have a discussion on that.
Or maybe I should rewrite Meditations, title it “The 13 Rules of a Roman Emperor: How to Stop Giving a Shit and Live a Fucking Good Life.” Adjust the vocab to that of a 13 year old and perhaps have a picture of Marco Aurelius chopping someone’s head off on the cover.
Should probably write it under a pen name too. Lance Powercock, John Steel, Max Iron, Peter Powers, something like that.
e: Dick Hardy, Hank Killjoy, Vance Strongfist, Sebastian Steelsword, Roger T. Ripper, …
(Relatively) benign example: Mark Manson’s “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck”. Basically a summary of the greats of philosophy and psychology, age old but often solid advice, brings nothing new to the table, but repackaged as a blunt chat with your bro / self-help book so it’s quite accessible. Padded out and repeats itself like most self-help books because $$$, sometimes contradicts himself, 8 million copies sold.
Bad example: Peterson’s “12 Rules for Life”. Same as above, but overly wordy because the author’s vain, includes stuff like long discredited Jungian crap and religious nonsense, more egregious elementary mistakes, and mixed with his own stupid political opinions. Part of the alt-right pipeline. 10 million copies sold.
Honestly, I think schools should force kids to read Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations and have a discussion on that.
Or maybe I should rewrite Meditations, title it “The 13 Rules of a Roman Emperor: How to Stop Giving a Shit and Live a Fucking Good Life.” Adjust the vocab to that of a 13 year old and perhaps have a picture of Marco Aurelius chopping someone’s head off on the cover.
Should probably write it under a pen name too. Lance Powercock, John Steel, Max Iron, Peter Powers, something like that.
e: Dick Hardy, Hank Killjoy, Vance Strongfist, Sebastian Steelsword, Roger T. Ripper, …
Why bother with a book? What you’ve described was the structure of a dozen “documentaries” created for Netflix last year.
Beef Slamchest, Blast Hardcheese, Slab Bulkhead, Butch Deadlift, Bolt Vanderhuge, Flint Ironstag, Bob Johnson… Oh wait.
You make me laugh.
https://youtu.be/2mlf-spczXA?si=M7lmX5-Ra2Ne6CLy
My Chuck Tingleverse officially licensed rpg character Bigfoot Buckaroo is not an author. He’s a Bigfoot Buckaroo. I thought I was clear.