Narcissism on the rise?
Deep Thought 21 Nov 2013
http://www.psycholog...arcissism-today
Although the data probably cannot be extrapolated directly to the same demographic in my country, I'm still pretty sure narcissism is spreading like wildfire. At campus I notice people, whom could be classified as having cerebral narcissistic traits.
What do you think?
sthira 22 Nov 2013
Deep Thought 22 Nov 2013
Christians would have to burn down every library in the world, every bible and every church to cover up the immoral acts that have been committed in the name of their religion.Haha, no, peace and quiet is what comes after Christianity goes. When is Christianity taking down its churches and cleaning up its messes if finally it's going away already?
I take it that you haven't heard about William Lane Craig?Narcissism is what comes after Christianity goes.
Edited by Deep Thought, 22 November 2013 - 08:03 AM.
Deep Thought 22 Nov 2013
Thank you, the internet is the only place where I can poke fun at religion without fearing the repercussions, such as mindless aggression.Some great examples. And great irony.
Edited by Deep Thought, 22 November 2013 - 08:23 AM.
Sciencyst 21 Dec 2013
nowayout 21 Dec 2013
Edited by nowayout, 21 December 2013 - 01:07 PM.
rwac 21 Dec 2013
http://www.latimes.c...y#axzz2o7MS22kU
Edited by rwac, 21 December 2013 - 01:59 PM.
Sciencyst 21 Dec 2013
Very intriguing. The researcher in the article 'wonders if it's technology.'It's an effect of young people being more tired than old people. Tired people are more selfish and narcissistic.
http://www.latimes.c...y#axzz2o7MS22kU
Maybe technology tends to make users stay up later due to overstimulation and also the blue light of LCD screens, which messes up the circadian rhythm. I know technology has seriously screwed up my own sleep schedule and that of my peers.
So maybe technology causes sleep deprivation/disturbance/circadian abnormalities which in turn cause or exacerbate narcissism?
Must look into more
eon 23 Dec 2013
But then again selfishness and narcissism has always been human nature. An example of this is how the U.S. was founded and built up. It's me me me, mine mine mine. It's just more populated now that it's easier to notice it more and more, at home, at work, in cyberspace.
It's an effect of young people being more tired than old people. Tired people are more selfish and narcissistic.
http://www.latimes.c...y#axzz2o7MS22kU
Edited by eon, 23 December 2013 - 11:10 AM.
nowayout 23 Dec 2013
But then again selfishness and narcissism has always been human nature. An example of this is how the U.S. was founded and built up. It's me me me, mine mine mine.
Very true. Selfishness and narcissism has always been part of the American Way, but especially with the rise of the new conservatism starting with Reagan these have become qualities that about half, if not more, of the population actually considers virtuous, believe it or not.
IronLife 12 Feb 2014
Not limited to "neo-conservatism." Consider also the liberal "elites" like Dianne Feinstein who propose gun restrictions that apply to everyone BUT the members of Congress. Or, all of those in Congress who in a bipartisan effort preserved their "privilege" to be privy to insider stock trading which has made members like Nanci Pelosi rich, while the Martha Stewarts of the world go to jail for it. The corruption is systemic.
These degenerative conditions have spread throughout the mainstream because real philosophical and existential pursuits of knowledge existence and rigorous, physical living have been exchanged for reality tv and libertinism.
Edited by IronLife, 12 February 2014 - 05:07 PM.
A941 13 Feb 2014
Do they think we have a Narcissm Epidemic because we see more and more people post "Selfies" on their Facebook page, or what exactly?
xks201 09 Mar 2014
People call "go-getters" narcissists but many people are productive narcissists and sometimes their ego has some basis in reality.
I think to group all narcissists together or claim that they are all the result of one thing is a little over reaching.
Edited by xks201, 09 March 2014 - 01:51 AM.
rwac 09 Mar 2014
username 09 Mar 2014
Terrible child rearing practices in the West. Parents' lives revolve around their children in a way that was not the case in previous generations, when children had to entertain themselves and adults had their own lives. Children are brought up to believe they are special just for being who they are and are taught unjustified self-esteem for having accomplished nothing, which is of course nonsense. No wonder people grow up to believe that the world revolves around them - it is what they are taught.
We have an epidemic of depression (with symptoms like feelings of worthlessness, lack of self-esteem). To me your assumption doesn't add up. How do you explain increased rates of depression and narcissism?
Narcissism is what comes after Christianity goes.
The United States is one of the most religious countries on earth with a homicide rate appr. 6-7x higher than most other developed countries. Japan has the lowest crime rate and is a country of atheists. Your conclusion doesn't hold up. Correlations actually show the opposite of what you assume.
The cause, I believe, is Facebook/SMS/how people interact with each other nowadays. Also the Google bubble, wherein Google censors your search results based on what it thinks you like, therefore strengthening your own world view and thus increasing narcissistic tendencies. I suppose it's slightly more complicated, but I have absolutely no doubt that the way we utilize technology nowadays is at the root of the problem
I believe that technology leads to more isolation and increased rates of mental illness. I think of narcissism as a mental illness (or at least a symptom worth noting) such as depression. Things that bring down rates of - for example - depression, should also bring down the rates of narcissism. At least according to my hypothesis.
The reason why narcissism increases is of cultural origin:
Schizophrenics who lived hundreds of years ago saw devils, hell etc.
Schizophrenics nowadays see cameras everywhere and think they are being watched by the NSA.
The symptoms you have as someone who is mentally ill is at least partially determined by culture.
Those who are mentally stable will not develop NPD. You need a basis (vulnerability to mental illness due to genetics and traumas) combined with cultural factors.
nowayout 09 Mar 2014
Terrible child rearing practices in the West. Parents' lives revolve around their children in a way that was not the case in previous generations, when children had to entertain themselves and adults had their own lives. Children are brought up to believe they are special just for being who they are and are taught unjustified self-esteem for having accomplished nothing, which is of course nonsense. No wonder people grow up to believe that the world revolves around them - it is what they are taught.
We have an epidemic of depression (with symptoms like feelings of worthlessness, lack of self-esteem). To me your assumption doesn't add up. How do you explain increased rates of depression and narcissism?
Putting aside for now the problem of overdiagnosis (which may give the false impression of an epidemic) your point is only valid if you accept the claim that parents' constant affirmation and spoiling of children increases self-esteem. I would hypothesize that the opposite is the case.
Also, narcissism is not incompatible with depression. In fact, it would make a lot of sense to me if that narcissism increases the risk for depression
eon 12 Mar 2014
Edited by eon, 12 March 2014 - 06:27 AM.
lemonhead 14 Mar 2014
Would the feeling of wanting to be more important that one really is a form of narcissism? Isn't this common with society?
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Consider places like the Middle East where I think it is segregated between man and woman, so there is no sexual tension
I don't think it is a form of narcissism in the strict sense, but vying for status is common in social mammals, especially primates.
It still happens in sex-segregated societies.
e.g., Designer Handbags for Saudi Girls
"“Most of these upper-class ladies are competitive and want to show off their elegance by wearing international brands. To them, the more expensive, the better.”
Edited by lemonhead, 14 March 2014 - 03:16 PM.
eon 15 Mar 2014
I think gender separation causes sexual tension...hence the radicalism
Edited by eon, 15 March 2014 - 05:27 AM.
eon 15 Mar 2014
Regarding designer handbags, that's true anywhere especially in "high society" type of places like NYC, Hollywood, to Dubai. Not sure if handbags had anything to do with sexual tensions as chances are these girls in Saudi Arabia already have their future husband lined-up. Girls and handbags. Boys and skateboards with extra bearings or rims. Not sure what this article you posted is trying to point out. Is it to point out narcissism or sexual tension?
Would the feeling of wanting to be more important that one really is a form of narcissism? Isn't this common with society?
...
Consider places like the Middle East where I think it is segregated between man and woman, so there is no sexual tension
I don't think it is a form of narcissism in the strict sense, but vying for status is common in social mammals, especially primates.
It still happens in sex-segregated societies.
e.g., Designer Handbags for Saudi Girls
"“Most of these upper-class ladies are competitive and want to show off their elegance by wearing international brands. To them, the more expensive, the better.”
Edited by eon, 15 March 2014 - 05:39 AM.
Luminosity 15 Mar 2014
nowayout 15 Mar 2014
niner 15 Mar 2014
When "integrated" these tensions are "suppressed" but it's there hiding in the closet. Same with racial issues. Just my opinion and observation. Better off in the closet than not, right? Same with racism and so on...
This sounds like an argument for separation of the races. Am I reading that right?
lemonhead 15 Mar 2014
When "integrated" these tensions are "suppressed" but it's there hiding in the closet. Same with racial issues. Just my opinion and observation. Better off in the closet than not, right? Same with racism and so on...
This sounds like an argument for separation of the races. Am I reading that right?
I read it meaning the opposite: "Better off in the closet" ; though I don't know why eon doesn't think that Integration should, eventually, lead to less racism.
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My point about the handbags was that people vie for social position, usually females among females and males among males. It doesn't matter if there is a member of the opposite sex around to impress or not. Higher social position means more power and access to resources ('resources' can include potential mates). The handbags are merely a status marker.
[Well, I guess the 'access to resources' thing is the evolutionary explanation, but social position has become something of an end in itself in humans. I keep thinking of scenes from Little Dorrit (I highly recommend the series, the set design alone is stunning. Another interesting thing about it is that came out right before the Madoff scandal and there's a plot line that is pretty much the same - Merdle, the man of the age...]
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People have been saying 'this is the worst generation ever' for years. People are just people. My thinking is that with the media (social media and 24/7 news media) available today we are more aware of the horrible crap people do to each other.
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Luminosity, My mom was a stay at home mom AND and actual narcissist (she had narcissistic personality disorder). I really wish she had gone to work and hired a nice nanny or put me in daycare/camp.
Edited by lemonhead, 15 March 2014 - 03:54 PM.
niner 16 Mar 2014
People have been saying 'this is the worst generation ever' for years. People are just people. My thinking is that with the media (social media and 24/7 news media) available today we are more aware of the horrible crap people do to each other.
Oddly enough, I've heard more than one report saying that the millennials are all right. Maybe even better than some preceding generations. It was said that they are more interested in public service and making the world a better place, relative to previous greed-head generations.
nowayout 16 Mar 2014
People have been saying 'this is the worst generation ever' for years. People are just people. My thinking is that with the media (social media and 24/7 news media) available today we are more aware of the horrible crap people do to each other.
Oddly enough, I've heard more than one report saying that the millennials are all right. Maybe even better than some preceding generations. It was said that they are more interested in public service and making the world a better place, relative to previous greed-head generations.
Mmm, I'm not sure generation X (my cohort) was ever characterized as greed-head. I think we were the first downwardly mobile generation, millennials are the second.
And the report I read of millennials is that they are more cynical of and less interested in public service at least as far as politics is concerned. They are also a lot less environmentalist than preceding generations, which is bothersome to me given that they stand to inherit the worst environmental crisis in human history.
Edited by nowayout, 16 March 2014 - 04:52 PM.