The Problem with Fixing Yourself

Visualizing the impact of self-help literature on the American psyche.

By Josh Strupp // Parsons School of Design // 2025 M.S. Data Visualization

Abstract

Self-help is everywhere—books, podcasts, seminars—and whether we realize it or not, most of us are consuming it. But behind the advice to “optimize your life” lies something more insidious: a genre that often blames individuals for systemic problems, often profiting off our insecurities. This thesis examines American self-help literature—its rise, its authors, and its cultural influence—through the lens of a Goodreads dataset.

Project Presentation & Demo

https://github.com/joshstrupp-dot-com/the-problem-presentation/blob/main/demo.mp4?raw=true

Full Written Thesis

https://github.com/joshstrupp-dot-com/the-problem-presentation/blob/main/Strupp_Thesis_Final.pdf

Acknowledgements

Big thanks to Daniel Sauter for your guidance and boundless enthusiasm. Shout out to Thiago Herson and Richard The for advising and supporting me along the way. And, of course, lots of love to the entire graduating class. Y'all. Rule.