We were having coffee with our neighbors the other day when they insisted we hadn't been that successful in life (never mind the insult) because we simply hadn't wanted it bad enough. We hadn't complained to them that we weren't successful and are actually quite happy. They informed us they would have a $10 million house in five years and we wouldn't because, they shrieked, we didn't want it. Of course I want $10 million, but I wouldn't be stupid enough to spend it on a house. They then began to insist that we watch The Secret because we emitted negative energy (or is that above a 50 IQ?).
We watched it. It is achingly obvious - think positive and be grateful. The trouble is, we already knew this and practice it regularly. Didn't most people figure this out by University? The part we didn't know was that it would make us rich. The trouble is, where's all the money then? Are we just too happy with our lives to deserve it? I've realised my neighbors are even more stupid than I thought they were (actors).
Anyways, this Secret business reveals a lot about the US to me. We found out our other neighbors are also into it. None of our previous neighbors in London would have been nearly stupid enough to have watched this for more than five minutes. We live in Bel Air/ Brentwood and people here are dumb. I'm trying to leave academia and am afraid - is everyone outside of the University in this country completely stupid?