I think things like that--things like The Secret--are intended to be empowering... as long as people don't actually take it seriously as though they believe in it.

I was ranting in a book store once about The Secret, and stopped when a woman nearby snorted a repressed laugh. I commented that I'd better stop ranting in public places or people will think I'm crazy, and she said, "No, no. I was just ranting about this myself last night. On the one hand it's this great message about hope and how you have the power to make good things happen for yourself. But on the other hand, if you get breast cancer or something you suddenly have to feel terrible because you've somehow brought this on yourself."

And that's my problem. I don't find it empowering to say that everybody gets what they deserve, that people can make good things happen for themselves. Because I don't like (or believe, for that matter) what it says about people who don't make it happen.