Interesting Idea on Human Behavior -- what's your take?

[Dommer]

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I don't believe in self-esteem,...

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You mean you think very poorly of or have no opinion of yourself?

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I mean that "self-esteem" as a lifechanging idea has no inherent virtue. If you're a [censored] who values himself highly, you're still a [censored], and if you're a genius who hates his life, you're still a genius. I misphrased when I said "I don't believe in self-esteem," because you any opinion you have about yourself is "self-esteem," but I don't believe in the New Age-y [censored] that says, "Think positively, and you can do anything!"

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I don't think anyone here really agrees with the wishy-washy attitude you mention, reminds me of the one taken in schools that causes everyone in the class to get an "A for effort!". Low self esteem would be more like "you're a genius but hate yourself and don't trust any of your ideas/perceptions/etc so you are constantly fighting yourself". Pretty hard to operate at your full capacity when you feel like that. It's the same as having no confidence at the poker table and second guessing yourself, beating yourself up over mistakes, etc. I know when I feel confident I play much much better, so if theres a way to improve on that then I am by all means for it.