Eagle-eyed visitors to the site may have noticed a new tagline. I changed it from “Self-Improvement for Realists” to “A Skeptics Guide to Self-Help.”
I feel that this more accurately captures the theme and intended audience of this site. Plus, skeptic is more specific than realist.
I also updated the page on my self-help philosophy from “Self Improvement for Realists” to “Self Improvement for Skeptics.” And I added a new section to that page laying out the difference between skepticism and cynicism.
For your convenience, I’ve copied that section here:
Skeptical self-improvement is not cynicism
You shouldn’t reject everything. Just as we apply our skepticism toward those who say change is magically easy, or those who suggest we have limitless time and energy, we should also apply our skepticism toward those who are fatalistic and say change is impossible. There’s a lot of unhelpful nonsense out there, but that doesn’t mean everything is nonsense. Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.
The cynical approach would be to just declare that nothing works, and there’s no way to improve yourself or your life. Or alternatively, to seek out the things that are unhelpful, and revel in their foolishness. “Look at us, we’re so much better than those people who are trying to live better lives but haven’t figured out how to do so!”
By contrast, the skeptical approach is to figure out what does work, so we can actually improve ourselves.
So what does work? Well, you can go back to the Self Improvement for Skeptics page to read the conclusion. Or you can keep reading this blog for the rest of your life. Or sign up for my newsletter to the left of the screen.
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