Dispatches from the End of the World (Technoculture with Federica Bressan)
In this lecture, Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the psychology of the metaverse and its potential impact on human behavior. He argues that the metaverse represents a commodification of reality and a shift towards a more narcissistic and psychopathic society. Vaknin believes that the metaverse will exacerbate existing societal problems, such as victimhood, paranoia, and conspiracy theories, and that people will be drawn to the metaverse as a form of escapism from the unbearable realities of the world. He also expresses concern about the breakdown of intergender relations and the decline of intimacy and community in modern society. Vaknin suggests that the metaverse may offer an attractive alternative to the current state of the world, which he describes as the worst period in human history due to the lack of support and the prevalence of global challenges.
Psychology of War Criminals (TalkTV with Petrie Hosken)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the transformation of individuals in war, attributing it to psychological defense mechanisms and fear. He explains how bonding with the enemy and the breakdown of ethical consensus lead to abnormal behavior and the commission of war crimes. Vaknin emphasizes the role of conformity and peer pressure in war, but also highlights the potential for individuals to resist committing war crimes. Overall, he stresses the complexity and ugliness of war, acknowledging that not all soldiers commit war crimes despite the pressures to do so.
How Narcissist Misperceives YOUR Intimacy, Love (with Conor Ryan, Eyes Wide Open, EXCERPT)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the dynamics of intimate relationships with narcissists. He explains that narcissists are incapable of perceiving others as separate from themselves and can only form relationships with internal constructs of others in their minds. They use external regulation and projection to maintain their self-image and avoid shame. The narcissist’s concept of love is actually narcissistic elation, a merging and fusing with a mother figure that affirms their grandiosity. Narcissists choose partners based on what they can provide, such as sex, services, safety, and object constancy, rather than who they are as individuals. The victims of narcissistic abuse often struggle to accept this reality and may resort to narcissistic defenses to cope.
The Rich Have You BRAINWASHED: Capitalism is a Zero-sum Game, They WIN, YOU LOSE
Professor Sam Vaknin’s lecture at Euro College in North Macedonia went viral due to its complexity, covering history, cultural studies, and economics. He clarifies that he is qualified to discuss economics due to his extensive experience and publications in the field. Vaknin argues that capitalism is a zero-sum game, benefiting the rich at the expense of the poor, and provides evidence to support his claim, including the impact of taxation, inflation, and the depletion of natural resources. He also discusses the illusion of economic growth through fiat money, debt, and a symbolic economy, ultimately concluding that the system is rigged to benefit the rich and exploit the poor.
Before Therapy: Hack Your Mind to Heal, Succeed
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses 20 psychological hacks for healing and success, based on cutting-edge research. He explains that memory is not about recalling events, but rather about recalling emotions and reactions. He also discusses the impact of social rejection on the brain, the benefits of thinking in a foreign language, the Kruger effect, the influence of music on mood and decision-making, the benefits of singing, the genetic basis of negativity, the intelligence of sarcastic people, the importance of sunlight, the role of dopamine in addiction, the significance of sleep, the impact of line length on reading speed, and the connection between mental and physical health. Vaknin emphasizes the importance of self-help and self-therapy before seeking professional help.
Will AI Kill Us All? Future with Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence has been a concept throughout human history, with automatons and cults being examples. It is the belief that intelligence is the result of creation and behavior. However, AI displays behaviors that cannot be traced back to programming, and it makes its own decisions, leading to a lack of control. AI also generates narratives and imposes them on human beings, creating an alternative virtual reality. The lecture also discusses the transition from an attention economy to a reality manipulative economy, where reality is controlled and sold back to individuals. The democratization of power and the rise of malignant egalitarianism are also mentioned, with AI empowering narcissism and creating a world of gods.
DO THIS When Narcissist Talks to You!
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the importance of focusing on the motivation behind a person’s communication rather than the explicit content. He emphasizes the hidden text method and explains that narcissists communicate with specific goals in mind, such as impressing, confabulating, supporting grandiosity, and manipulating others. He highlights that the actual words spoken by narcissists are less important than understanding why they are communicating in a particular way. Additionally, he touches on the use of language to manipulate and brainwash others, particularly in the case of narcissists and psychopaths.
Happy Birthday, Mr. Vaknin: Lessons of a Life Ill-lived
In this lecture, Professor Sam Vaknin reflects on his 63rd birthday and shares an interview he had with Scott Jacobson. He discusses the irrationality of celebrating birthdays and emphasizes the transient and meaningless nature of life. Vaknin also talks about his early life, the lessons he learned in different stages of life, and the decline of his physical and mental capabilities. He advises on career, ambition, and the importance of not compromising in one’s career. Ultimately, he expresses that he looks forward to death as the ultimate respite.
Future is Networking, Hierarchies Dead (Seminar in Skopje, North Macedonia)
Professor Sam Vaknin’s lecture covered the following key points: 1. Networks are fundamentally different from hierarchies, with their own characteristics and life cycles. 2. The study of networks has advanced significantly in the past two decades, largely due to the proliferation of computer networks. 3. Networks organize people based on time rather than space, with early participants often reaping the most benefits. 4. Information and power in networks flow horizontally, as opposed to the vertical flow in hierarchies. 5. Networks empower individuals and are constructed on equipotence, while hierarchies disempower and are built on impotence. 6. Networks are more susceptible to external shocks due to their homophilic nature, which can lead to a lack of diversity and resilience. 7. The life cycle of networks includes a mimetic phase (introduction of ideas), an externality phase (network growth and benefits), and potentially a decay phase if the network fails to innovate or maintain internal value. 8. Networks that are self-contained and provide comprehensive value to their members are more likely to succeed and grow. 9. Weak ties within networks, individuals with loose connections to many groups, are crucial for the dissemination of information and innovation. 10. The future of networks likely involves multiplex (multiple types of connections), multimodal (various roles for participants), and multilevel (hierarchical structures) characteristics.
Narcissist: My Gut Instinct Rules, My Intuition is FACT!
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the narcissist’s perception of intuition and knowledge. He explains that the narcissist perceives his intuition as objective and factual, trusting it as others trust science. The narcissist believes he is omniscient and does not need to acquire knowledge from external sources. He lacks curiosity and does not learn from others, perceiving reality as a problem if it does not conform to his conclusions. The narcissist’s impaired reality testing leads to internal confirmation bias and a belief in his own comprehensive knowledge.