Ah, the dreaded self-help manual tone!
I recognized a problem and asked for advice. Looking for a place to start I could only rely on the materials from my past. I quickly realized a pattern that I was trying to emulate. I asked Google's Gemini AI for a brief history of self-help. A Brief History of Self-Help Books: From Ancient Wisdom to Modern Phenom The self-help genre, while seemingly modern, boasts a rich history dating back millennia. Here's a glimpse into its evolution: Ancient Roots: Early Civilizations: Instructive texts like the Egyptian "Sebayt" (2800 BC) and Greek philosophical writings offered guidance on moral behavior and self-improvement. Religious Texts: Proverbs, scriptures, and philosophical works like the Bible and Stoic writings provided moral and ethical frameworks for personal growth. 18th & 19th Centuries: Self-Reliance & Individualism: The rise of individualism and the Protestant work ethic fueled self-help books promoti...