How to Criticize Advice

Today I stumbled upon Wiki how to lists- a rapidly growing database of how to advice. Some are interesting (How to Buy Your Own Private Island- cue Adam clicking so fast he almost sprains his wrist), some odd ones (How to Make a Rice Sock) and many geared toward teens. Regarding those, I think that it's amazing how many times people will give the advice to just "be yourself." For example, Step 1 of "How to Be the Type of Nerd That Girls Love" is to be yourself. It is Step 7 in how to be Miss Popular.

I hate to say it, but to "be yourself" is not necessarily good advice. The truth is, some people should probably not be themselves. Some people are assholes and would be better off as someone else entirely. Other people
are quite nice and should mostly be themselves, but to mask a couple traits, should master some features of someone else. There, that's my advice.

Now, to help Amanda out, here are some tips from Wiki ehow on How to Get Gothic in 1 Month:

1. Get a journal.
2. You don't immediately have to start wearing black. Nor does it have
to be all black, or at all times. Dark purple, blue or grey are
acceptable alternatives to plain black.
7. Read Robert Browning, Lord Byron, and other Romantic poets.
Dostoevsky will also aid in establishing a suitable life outlook.
9. Being Goth isn't about being cool, it's about being one with yourself
and LOOKING cool.
10. Dye your hair black. Or purple, or red, or blue. If you're a little
worried about the parents, just put in streaks.
12. Listen to your personal music device [ipod/walkman etc.] with the
volume up all the way.
16. Get a pet and be oddly attached to it. eg a mouse or rat that you
take everywhere. Other suitable animals are black or grey cats, frogs
and bats if you get one. Madagascar hissing cockroaches are great too;
be sure to show your little buddy to teachers. Dogs are seldom Goth,
although greyhounds have some potential, being so skinny and all.