I don't really love his shtick generally (a bit too try hard and salesman for my liking) but I think he's honest and not trying to con anyone. For example I tried the slow carb diet he proposes and I lost tonnes of weight.
I can't comment on Ferriss specifically, but almost any marketable diet can work in the short term since it makes you pay attention to what you eat. That fact alone is enough for results.
>I personally would not be proud of myself though if i had his 'career'.
It's interesting how we are primed to assume a psychological burden for anyone who is financially successful. Perhaps to help ourselves cope? I'm not singling your comment out specifically, as I often have the same reaction.
For all we know, Ferriss is probably highly satisfied, completely at ease with himself, and enjoying a great and varied existence.
Don't get me wrong, its not about the money itself necessarily but how you earn it.
He sells himself and in my opinion he does use marketing tools and mechanisms i don't like.
Nonetheless, the only reason why i care about him as he gets mentioned on HN every year or so. I care enough to write a comment but not to do anything else.
How he does it and what he does feels for me like mental esotherism.