# Reflections on a French TV Series and Self-Improvement Culture
Written on
Chapter 1: My Journey with French Television
Over the past two weeks, I devoted some time to watching a French TV series, and here's what transpired. Despite my enthusiasm, I still struggle with the French language, and my ambition to become fluent remains quite low. My only aspiration is to hurl an insult at a Frenchman using the whimsical word "baguette." I suppose for that, a trip to France would suffice—no language lessons required! The more economical solution would be to find a local French speaker to insult, but alas, my search has proven fruitless. Perhaps I should consider placing an ad in a local newspaper, though I wouldn't be able to offer any monetary compensation, as that would deflate the insult's essence. Thus, I find myself in this odd predicament, consuming French series just to keep my dreams alive.
This post, however, isn’t primarily about insulting the French, although I do so with a sense of humor. Rather, I’ve been reflecting on my time spent on Medium lately, where I was struck by the overwhelming number of self-improvement articles. It's a familiar theme; one can't walk into a bookstore without being confronted by a plethora of self-help titles. "Wake up at six a.m. for no apparent reason," "Live like a monk but not in a monastery"—these titles echo a deep sense of despair. They represent an unattainable hope that a mere 200 pages of meticulously crafted advice could bring about some form of salvation. I often find myself wishing to overlook these books, as they seem to embody the saddest sentiments.
Self-help literature often reveals insecurities that are barely concealed, leading to a twisted desire for self-fixation. Readers invest their hopes in the idea that tomorrow they will have perfected the recommended routine. Perhaps I am being overly critical. There’s nothing inherently wrong with wanting to improve oneself, but this longing can sometimes morph into a fixation where the idealized version of oneself becomes an obsession, consuming thoughts and perceptions. If you are going to spend your days in a dream-like state, make sure it’s as your authentic self—anything less may not be worth the effort.
Section 1.1: The Influence of Self-Help Culture
The self-help genre proliferates in our society, offering a myriad of solutions to perceived personal shortcomings. The titles often suggest that the path to happiness lies in following rigid routines or adopting drastic lifestyle changes.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Paradox of Improvement
Section 1.2: A Critical View
Many individuals dive into these books, hoping to uncover the secret to a fulfilled life. However, this often leads to a cycle of discontent, where the chase for an ideal self becomes the source of frustration.
Chapter 2: Insights from French Media
In this first episode titled "Convicting a Murderer Ep 1 - An Unraveling Narrative," viewers are drawn into a compelling storyline that challenges their perceptions of justice and morality.
The second video, "Is Million Dollar Listing LA Fake? Reality Real Estate Agent Reacts S15 E2," delves into the world of real estate and reality TV, offering a humorous critique of the industry and its portrayal in media.