Trump Warning: My Moral and Professional Obligation
Psychologist Sam Vaknin warns that Donald Trump is a narcissist and a menace to society. He argues that people with personality disorders should be subjected to psychological assessments before being eligible to run for public office. Vaknin believes that the Goldwater Rule, which prohibits diagnosing public figures remotely without their consent, is antiquated and wrong. He argues that there is enough information available about Trump to diagnose him with absolute certainty and safety.
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.
Transhumanism: Culture Replaces Evolution (with Benny Hendel)
Dual inheritance theory, or gene-culture co-evolution, suggests that humans develop both genetically and biologically, as well as through culture or civilization. Culture, as the totality of human creativity, is a form of evolution that can shape humans and their offspring. This control over evolution through culture allows humans to adapt to diverse habitats and environments. However, the future of human evolution could be influenced by the choices made in using culture and technology, potentially leading to a more narcissistic and psychopathic society.
How You Acquire an Ego (Erikson and Kohut with Daria Żukowska)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the concept of separation individuation, which is a crucial phase in a child’s development where they learn to differentiate themselves from their mother and develop a sense of security. He proposes that there are three phases of separation individuation: infancy, adolescence, and social interaction. Each phase can be disrupted, leading to mental illness or dysfunction. A good enough mother frustrates and pushes the child away, allowing them to explore the world and develop a sense of autonomy.
Beware the Stupid Takeover! (Sam Vaknin Rant, Read PINNED COMMENT)
Professor Sam Vaknin argues that stupidity is taking over the world, with technology empowering mediocre individuals and fostering a self-delusion of malignant egalitarianism. He believes that the rise of stupidity is due to a reverse Flynn effect, where average IQ scores have declined, and the tolerance and legitimization of stupidity in society. Vaknin also criticizes the democratic ideal and the influence of technology, which has allowed stupidity to spread like a viral pandemic, overwhelming systems of governance and decision-making.
Fight Narcissism – Or Channel It? (IAI.TV)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the rise of narcissism and suggests that it is comparable to climate change and the shift in gender roles. He proposes that we harness the energy of narcissism and channel it in socially acceptable ways, sublimated. He also suggests that we put in place checks, balances, and institutions to prevent the more destructive, insidious, and pernicious outcomes and aspects of narcissism. Finally, he warns that narcissism is a form of religion and that it is aggressive, intolerant, and dysempathic, and can result in self-defeat and self-destruction.
Hypervigilance and Intuition as Forms of Anxiety
Anxiety is a complex emotion that shapeshifts and invades every cell of the psyche, causing cognitive distortions such as catastrophizing and leading to comorbidities such as depression. Anxiety is closely associated with multiple mental health dysfunctions, including hypersexuality and psychopathy. Intuition and hypervigilance are examples of anxiety, which feed on bodily inputs and involve catastrophizing. Hypervigilance is a symptom of PTSD and other forms of anxiety disorders, and when intuition and gut feeling become the foundation for decision-making, they always lead to hypervigilance.
Asexuality, Grey Sexuality, and Narcissism
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the concepts of hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), asexuality, and graysexuality. He clarifies that asexuality is a legitimate and healthy sexual orientation, but HSDD is a disorder that requires treatment if it causes distress. Vaknin also explains that all narcissists go through phases of asexuality during the pathology of their disorder, but not all asexuals are narcissists. He warns that asexuality has become a form of identity politics and may be exploited by narcissistic and psychopathic individuals.
Borderline, Narcissist: Why They Can’t Let Go of Each Other
The professor discusses the comments on his video and then delves into the differences between the shared fantasies of borderlines and narcissists. He explains that both types of individuals have similarities and traits, but their shared fantasies have different functions and dynamics. The narcissist’s shared fantasy is about engulfing, while the borderline’s shared fantasy is about being engulfed. He also explains the reasons behind the hoovering behavior of both types.
Consciousness is: Intending Inwards (with Benny Hendel)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the problem of consciousness and the psychophysical problem, which is the linkage between the physical body and our consciousness. He argues that consciousness is a secondary phenomenon, and the primary phenomenon is intentionality, which is a mode of relating to external physical objects and internal objects. He believes that intentionality is universal and is the organizing principle of mental life, and that reality is observer-defined. He argues that his thesis reunites the mind and reality, and that understanding this can help us take responsibility for our role as creators in nature.