Zap!
One of my goals is to write a self help weight loss book called Fry Away the Toxins about how food actually gets healthier when you deep fry it, because all of the toxins are burned away. I'm pretty sure it would sell, because people want to be lied to when the lie props up their world view. I've been ruminating about it with some friends for a few months, and I have a treatment all written in my head.
You need to write the entire thing as if it's not a joke though. In the liner notes write that it's done in farce but not in the actual book. If someone takes that book seriously and actually adjusts their life accordingly to be more healthy, fried foods is the least of their problems. But it only works if it's done under the guise of the utmost sincerity imo. Can't wait to read it.
Oh absolutely. I'm fascinated by charlatans like Kevin Trudeau, modern day snake oil salesmen who have no conscience when it comes to peddling nonsense. Or, maybe I'm more fascinated by the people who are so lost that they buy these types of books. I can't really say I laugh at them; moreso I feel bad. I just think its such an odd reflection on our culture that so many people want to be told how to live, what to think, whom to associate with. The evidence in in every bookstore, where the self help section is giant, and these authors are getting rich off of saying nothing at all. Its incredible (I mean literally lacks credibility).
You've described the entire consulting industry. Paying someone to tell you what you already know but are too lazy or unmotivated to act upon.
Brilliant. I just spent two hours with a bunch of people that have created/are creating businesses. None of them used the word Zap. But maybe they should...?