Dr. Phil is today’s Werner Erhard.
Erhard started Est in 1974 to teach hippies how to be responsible. His themes were: be on time, keep your word and expect others to keep their word. You create your own reality. If you behave well your life will go exactly as you plan it.
Dr. Phil, and his predecessor, Dr. Laura, are teaching a similar lesson today to vastly larger audiences. Werner was more extreme than Dr. Phil, because Dr. Phil doesn't believe that people are 100% the consequence of their previous behavior. That thesis required Werner to teach a belief in reincarnation to explain why some people were born with disabilities.
Dr. Phil and Dr. Laura also teach by their own actions that you should be very candid and direct in your speech. Both include a little humor and chuckle with their direct statements to the public they counsel. "You are completely wrong in your behavior and you know it" Dr. Phil will say with a smile.
Why did hippies need to be taught responsibility and why do Americans today need to be taught this lesson in responsibility and candor?
I don't have the answer, but I'm thinking about it.