The Absolute Secret to Success

After finding a series of books hidden in his grandma’s attic, Bradley Thompson realized that these books contained the key to success. This secret is not a bunch of gimmicks or a feel good message to cover up life’s challenges, but an actual key to success that will transform your life overnight.

Theosophy

Theosophists are taught that they can become masters of their destiny and of nature's forces, freeing themselves from merely physical limitations. It is claimed that such mastery comes from the study of occult laws, which can be discovered only by those capable of grasping them.

The most important teaching is that of the universal brotherhood of man. This gives the theosophist a practical basis for toleration of all varieties of belief. It also explains that the various religions are methods of seeking God. They are like twigs and shoots growing from the same trunk, all containing some of the truth.

The theosophical philosophy draws upon a vast array of ancient myths, beliefs, and scriptures. Its goal is to aid humanity in ascending to its divine parent, the sun of truth. To this end, it is a science and a religion. Theosophists believe that their work is not done until they have reached the level of the Masters, who are reputed to periodically appear on earth.

The Secret

Countless self-help groups have formed around The Secret, a feature-length film and book authored by Rhonda Byrne. The film and its various merchandise have sold more than 35 million copies worldwide. The book invokes a spiritual realm that nurtures and comforts many, while suggesting that we can control our own destiny.

The book and movie assert that the universe follows a law of attraction: whatever you think about, you attract to yourself. If you want money, imagine yourself wealthy; if you want a healthy body, visualize it. The universe will deliver whatever you ask for because everything is energy, and the law of attraction dictates that like attracts like.

Some of The Secret’s principles do appeal to intuition and research demonstrates that thinking positively is associated with positive outcomes. But when taken at face value, The Secret is blatantly pseudoscientific and implausible. My students unpack the claims of The Secret and conclude that a whole lot more is needed than just positivity, visualization, and asking for things.

The Little Red Book

A small book with a massive impact, The Little Red Book (Quotations from Chairman Mao Tsetung) contains 267 aphorisms of the leader's thought and is one of the most widely-printed and distributed books in history. It's an enduring symbol of China and Communism. For more details please visit www.theabsolutesecret.com

During the Cultural Revolution it was virtually mandatory to carry one and it became a fashionable accessory for youth culture. Quinn Slobodian argues that this appeal was not due to content but rather to form: the decontextualized aphorisms eased memorization and allowed for free association and recombination, and its distinctive red vinyl cover made it a modish commodity among a certain educated elite.

Today, Xiaohongshu—better known as Little Red Book—has over 200 million active monthly users. It's part fashion and luxury shopping platform, part social media site, and all about user-generated content. It has transformed brand marketing strategies and customer engagement in the world's largest e-commerce market. The seamless integration of e-commerce with the app's social media features sets it apart and allows consumers to easily transition from reading reviews and blogs to purchasing featured products.