Hi Soc,

I understand that the research may not show any objective benefit, and yet
people still perceive a benefit. Yet, this phenomenon occurs over and
over in real life.

Have you ever heard of the girl in Russia who claimed she could see into
people and make accurate medical diagnoses? She is called "The Girl with
X-ray Vision," and her name is Natasha Demkina. She even went to New York
to be tested by a team of scientists, who conducted a rigorous test of her
ability. The final analysis suggested she did not actually have an
accurate ability to see inside of people, and yet, all the patients she
interacted with came out of their experiences perceiving that she really
did help them. The same kind of things happens with other kinds of
"faith-healing." There are many documentaries which follow patients
before, during, and after encounters with faith-healers, and even though
in the end, there is no objective long-term benefit (and in many cases,
worsening of the condition), nevertheless, patients perceive to have
benefited from the experience.

The human mind is a funny thing. Yes, even when there is no objective
benefit, people will still insist they were benefited. Scientifically,
we may call this a "placebo effect," ok, but to the patients, it's real
... EVEN THOUGH there may not be an actual benefit!

Well, as I've always said, humans have an infinite capacity for
self-deception. We want to believe so many things, whether or not they are
objectively true.

You can perform your research studies which "prove" there is no benefit,
but however many such studies are published, the self-improvement industry
will still thrive. The industry thrives on human weakness, and one of
these weaknesses is the relentless need to improve one's self and one's
condition in life, even if the benefits are merely perceived, and not
real. Most people will still want to try the products, and many will
still claim benefits. In an ideal, rational society, objective studies
such as yours will convince people to stop wasting their time, energy, and
resources on "snake oil." But society is neither ideal nor very rational.

There is a saying: "Selling lies makes you rich. Selling truth makes you
poor."

HF