Well, if your view is around individualism and shaping yourself then maybe the whole self-help industry isn't so accidental. Maybe its a progression of a strong

Well, if your view is around individualism and shaping yourself then maybe the whole self-help industry isn't so accidental. Maybe its a progression of a strong need for materials to support that view. Other countries also have it as well but its nowhere near the seemingly overwhelming desire as in the US. Or perhaps theres a travelling sideshow element to self-help that appeals to the PT Barnum types. But I'm not so cynical.