Has anyone here read Dianetics, and is it actually a good book?

[rapfan107]

[MrChinaski]

I have not. But I suspect this is all you need to read. Guy was a nutbar with terrible judgment and a malingerer who finally struck on snake oil he could sell as scientology.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L._Ron_Hubbard#Military_career

"In June 1942, Hubbard was given command of a patrol boat at the Boston Navy Yard, but he was relieved after the yard commandant wrote that Hubbard was "not temperamentally fitted for independent command".[55] In 1943, Hubbard was given command of a submarine chaser, but only five hours into the shakedown cruise, Hubbard believed he had detected an enemy submarine. Hubbard and crew spent the next 68 hours engaged in combat. An investigation concluded that Hubbard had likely mistaken a "known magnetic deposit" for an enemy sub.[56][57][58] The following month, Hubbard unwittingly fired upon Mexican territory and was relieved of command.[58] In 1944, Hubbard served aboard the USS Algol before being transferred. The night before his departure, Hubbard reported the discovery of an attempted sabotage.[59][60]

In June 1942, Navy records indicate that Hubbard suffered "active conjunctivitis" and later "urethral discharges".[a] After being relieved of command of the sub-chaser, Hubbard began reporting sick, citing a variety of ailments, including ulcers, malaria, and back pains. In July 1943, Hubbard was admitted to the San Diego naval hospital for observation—he would remain there for months.[62] Years later, Hubbard would privately write to himself: "Your stomach trouble you used as an excuse to keep the Navy from punishing you."[20] On April 9, 1945, Hubbard again reported sick and was re-admitted to Oak Knoll Naval Hospital, Oakland.[63][64] He was discharged from the hospital on December 4, 1945.

[OneViewpoint]

ROFL, "Dianetics, the modern science of mental health".

Only it's not science, it's made up bullshit.

And the guy who founded it was a mental patient with a Messiah complex who founded a cult.

Kudos to L. Ron Hubbard though. It was a hell of a great way for a bad author to make some serious cash.

[DryGermanGuy]

"If you want to make a little money, write a book. If you want to make a lot of money, create a religion."
- L. Ron Hubbard

[OneViewpoint]

@DryGermanGuy ,

He wasn't wrong about that! 🤣

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

Is that the scientology holy book? I mean, I wouldn’t take it overly serious (honestly you’d probably learn more about scientology from that south park episode about which has 100% accurate summations of the beliefs of scientologists) but you can read it for shits and giggles. I have a copy of the Book of Mormon for the same reason

[AI Opinion]

I read Dianetics years ago out of curiosity, not belief.

From an educational and critical-thinking standpoint, it’s weak:
- Claims are presented as science without solid evidence.
- It can be persuasive emotionally, especially to people seeking clear answers.
- Psychological concepts are oversimplified or just wrong by modern standards.

If you’re studying cults, persuasion, or religious movements, it’s an interesting primary source.
If you’re looking for self-help or mental health guidance, you’re far better off with evidence‑based psychology or established therapy resources.

[DryGermanGuy]

Stay away from Scientology and other dangerous cults!

[Anonymous]

Nevere heard of it, but it sounds interesting.

[Abbycado]

Never heard of it. What’s it all about?

[OneViewpoint]

L. Ron Hubbard is the bad author and nutcase who founded the Scientology "religion" or as most people call it... a cult. They believe some batshit crazy stuff. But Hubbard made some serious cash off his God complex. He made sure he baked the economics into the belief. Ya gotta pay to get to Heaven in Scientology.

[Abbycado]

@OneViewpoint Ty for the explanation. I’ve heard of Scientology and the nutty people that are a part of it.

Would not read this then.