Hurt in Intimacy: Path to Self-love (with Mike Kim, Standup Comedian)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses various topics in these transcripts. He talks about the differences between sex addiction and love addiction, the importance of intimacy for self-love and self-awareness, and the dangers of the self-help industry. He also shares his observations on the current state of society, including the prevalence of occult and esoteric thinking, conspiracy theories, and magical thinking, and the decline in literacy and attention span. Additionally, he discusses the correlation between narcissism and conspiracism and clarifies the differences between narcissists, psychopaths, and borderlines.
Separate 3 Times, Become YOU!
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the three phases of separation individuation throughout life, which create a new self-state. The first phase occurs in early childhood, the second in adolescence, and the third when one develops full-fledged object relations with other people. Each phase can be disrupted, leading to a healthy or pathological self-state. Disrupted processes of separation individuation create pathological self-states closely aligned with mental illness.
Is Artificial Intelligence Fully Human? (with Benny Hendel)
In this conversation, Sam Vaknin discusses the distinction between artificial and natural intelligence, arguing that intelligence is intelligence regardless of whether it is embedded in silicon or carbon. However, he notes that the problem is not creating intelligence, but rather consciousness and the experience of consciousness. Vaknin argues that the focus on intelligence is a decoy and that the distinction between humans and machines is meaningless because he cannot access the mind of either. He concludes that the argument about whether machines will ever be like humans is ridiculous.
Are YOU a simulation? (with Benny Hendel)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses philosopher David Chalmers’ view that simulations are as real as reality and that reality may be a simulation. Vaknin disagrees with Chalmers on two main points: 1) Vaknin believes that there will always be a conscious act of will required to switch between reality and simulations, and 2) even if our reality is a simulation, it is still our privileged frame of reference and cannot be escaped. Vaknin argues that Chalmers’ view requires an impossible vantage point outside of both reality and simulations to compare them.
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.
VINOs: Victims in Name Only – Professional, Career “Victims” (News Intervention)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the infiltration of victimhood movements by narcissists and psychopaths, who use these movements to gain power, money, and attention. He explains that these individuals often pose as victims or altruistic givers to manipulate others and feel superior. Vaknin also highlights studies that show the connection between dark triad personality traits (narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism) and displays of virtue and victimhood. As victimhood movements become part of the establishment and require hard work and perseverance, narcissists and psychopaths tend to lose interest and move on.
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.
What’s Wrong with Voluntary Sex Work, Promiscuity? (EXCERPTS)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the changing gender roles and how women are adopting masculine traits. He argues that sex work is not morally or socially wrong and that it is a patriarchal judgment to condemn it. Vaknin distinguishes between sex work and promiscuity, stating that promiscuity is addictive and has negative outcomes, including fostering anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. He argues that sex positivity is a pernicious and dangerous ideology that has ruined the lives of countless young men and women and should be removed from the curricula of universities and higher education institutes.