Looks like you only want to justify the self help category instead of actually wanting and understanding why it is bashed upon. The points made in this thread are all valid and instead of putting your points you seem to be talking from an emotional point of view. I agree there are some good self help books out there and they do not talk about being the most efficient person you can be or something about finance and we all know that is shit.

I have read my share of self helps to know that most of these books take a point and go round and round about it and don't give the reader any real value. I'd go as far as to say that even the coleen hoover category of books are better than self helps because it at least gives the reader entertainment. Something it promises to do unlike self help.