Is ‘manifesting’ dangerous magical thinking or a formula for success?

Get to understand one of the hottest arguments in popular psychology. For some, manifesting is a combination of goal setting and positive reinforcement; for others, it’s nothing short of an unhealthy way to ignore a world negativity that sometimes comes with miraculous results. But, believe in it or not, it’s hard to deny the pseudoscientific self-help reach in pop culture today. The term originated fifteen years ago and was spread by word of mouth. But as Elle Hunt explores, it went viral on TikTok in 2020 and is now freely voiced as a strategy for life in recent times. So what's driving it, and what does it mean for society?