What Happiness is NOT and IS (with Andrei Tanase, Filmmaker)
In this lecture, Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the etymology of the word “happiness” and its historical meanings. He explains that happiness was originally associated with luck, prosperity, and wealth. He outlines the three components of happiness, which include managing one’s life well, contributing to something outside oneself, and conducting oneself with dignity and integrity. Vaknin emphasizes that happiness is a state of being, not gratification, and that it is internal, not external. He also delves into the concept of authenticity and the importance of being true to oneself. Additionally, he explores the idea of studying unhappiness as a means of understanding happiness, and the role of language in shaping our understanding of happiness.
Narcissism= Toxic Masculinity, Capitalism?
Sam Vaknin discusses the collapse of traditional gender roles and the rise of toxic masculinity, which is now prevalent in both men and women. He connects toxic masculinity to Darwinian jungle capitalism, urbanization, consumerism, and spectacle, all of which emphasize escapism and the denial of reality. Vaknin argues that capitalism has transitioned from manufacturing and consumption to spectacle and addiction, making it a form of narcissism. He concludes that narcissism is the organizing principle of the modern world, extending to gender relations, capitalism, and the attention economy.
Why Narcissist Must Win, Be Right ( Psychopath, Too!)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the reasons why narcissists always feel the need to win and be right. He explains that narcissists and psychopaths interact with the game, not with the players, and define winning as a win-lose situation. They engage in preemptive winning and are willing to pay a heavy personal price to maintain their grandiosity. Their insistence on winning and being right is a defense of their fragile self-image and a rejection of reality and everyone in it.
Narcissist’s Autistic And Dereistic Thinking ( Enactivism Exceptions)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the distinction between autistic thinking and autism spectrum disorder, emphasizing the importance of studying psychology under his guidance. He also touches on his various accomplishments and provides an overview of autistic and de-realistic thinking, linking them to mental disorders and socially condoned behaviors. Vaknin highlights the significance of confronting and suppressing these types of thinking in therapy, particularly in cognitive behavioral therapy. He suggests that autistic and de-realistic thinking can impact emotions and may hold the key to advancements in the study and treatment of cluster B personality disorders.
Social Media Want YOU Isolated, Angry, Envious, Scared (with Moshe Fabrikant, Israel)
Sam Vaknin discusses the impact of the digital age on narcissism and social media. He highlights the narcissistic elements of social media and its negative effects on intimacy, community, and human interaction. Vaknin also addresses the dangers of the metaverse, the manipulation and escalation of behavior on social media, and the need for ethical guidelines and regulation. He emphasizes the performative nature of relationships in the digital age and the shift towards fantasy-based interactions.
Keys to Understanding Our Times: From Identity to Attention to Reality
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the transitions in human history from the rise of the author and the original, to the age of intellectual property, to the attention economy, and finally to the impending dominance of reality by high-tech giants. He explains the impact of urbanization on the need for attention and the emergence of identity politics. Vaknin also delves into the challenges posed by digital goods, the attention economy, and the potential future of reality being controlled and customized by technology giants. He warns of the potential enslavement of individuals to these technological systems.
Metaverse as Collective Narcissism, Fantasy, Mental Illness (with Benny Hendel)
The process of virtualization, which began with the transition from agriculture to cities, has led to a retreat from reality and a shift towards simulations. The metaverse, a combination of technologies that provide online simulations, is a more profound form of virtualization that could have significant psychological impacts. Dangers of the metaverse include solipsism, self-sufficiency leading to asocial behavior, and the potential for corporations to own and control reality. However, there are also potential benefits, such as increased efficiency in work and improved accessibility for disabled individuals.
Ukraine: From Invasion to PTSD (Newsweek, Part 1)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the psychological impact of the war in Ukraine, highlighting the fact that trauma is a systemic event that affects everything from an individual’s ability to think and trust others to their ability to sleep. He notes that PTSD and complex trauma are both likely to be prevalent in Ukraine, with at least 3 million people expected to have PTSD and 25% of the population displaying post-traumatic effects. Vaknin suggests that a community approach to healing trauma is necessary, leveraging the resilience of those who were not affected by trauma to support those who were. He also proposes the creation of a Peace Corps of mental health experts from around the world to help Ukraine recover.
Narcissist Hates Himself, So Can’t Love YOU
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the nature of love and why narcissists cannot love. He explains that all love is self-love and that being loved is a way of experiencing existence and feeling alive. Narcissists, however, lack a true self and are incapable of self-love, making it impossible for them to love others. He delves into the psychological processes and theories behind narcissism, emphasizing the narcissist’s inability to empathize and experience true human connection. Ultimately, he highlights the importance of self-love as a prerequisite for loving others and contrasts healthy self-love with pathological narcissism.
Dark Pentagram Personality: Dark Triad/Tetrad and Beyond
Professor Sam Vaknin suggests a new construct called the dark pentagram personality, which includes Machiavellianism, subclinical narcissism, subclinical psychopathy, covert narcissism, and borderline personality. He argues that the dark triad and dark tetrad are redundant, as their components are all facets and manifestations of psychopathy. Vaknin believes that sadism should not be included in the dark personality constructs, as it is too similar to psychopathy. Instead, he proposes adding subclinical covert narcissism and subclinical borderline personality to create the dark pentagram personality.