Colin McEnroe Show: Salute To Narcissism
It's Not All About You.
We planning our shows and then having to adjust them based on sudden political developments. Today, however, our planned show is about narcissism, and it's pretty easy to incorporate politics into that.
While he was working on a book called "The Narcisism Epidemic," researcher Keith Campbell, one our guests today, started getting calls from friends and relatives who had, essentially, new narcissist sightings.
My favorite was an SUV, parked in a no parking zone, facing the wrong way, blocking a stop sign, and wearing a bumper sticker that said "I heart Me."
The vignette makes two important points. If narcissism were a quiet epidemic, we might not be doing this show. But over the last 20 years, proclaiming one's self-regard has become a trope. Assuming the rules don't apply to special and perfect me is another trope.
That, plus the latest in politics, today on the Colin McEnroe Show.
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Narcissism
I am an "autodidact" on this subject. I worked for a very sick man for 10 years who was eventually fired. I was almost forced to read extensively to pinpoint exactly what was wrong with him (as a defense) and I finally concluded that he is a narcissistic-sociopath. Some of what you discuss here is not necessarily narcissism but good old fashioned selfishness fueled by our consumer society. The economy needs us to over identify with celebrities -- to try and "compete" which explains the rise of personal debt. Self-esteem--if it means that you have value simply because you exist--is a good thing. But entitlement without effort is something else. But real narcissism is toxic, destructive and dealing with one causes the emotional and mental breakdown of those living and working in this persons orbit.
I also would suggest that you do a show on sociopathy--the highest numbers of sociopaths are in politics, big business and entertainment and the worst are narcissistic sociopaths. Read David Hare's books when you can!
I read the Narcissism Epidemic when it came out and it's a pretty shallow book.
But as always I enjoyed the show!
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