No Narcissistic Supply Self Supply Or Forced Supply
Narcissists expect fluctuations in their narcissistic supply and rely on intimate partners to regulate it. When faced with a lack of supply, they may resort to delusional narratives, antisocial behavior, paranoid ideation, or masochistic self-destruction. These strategies aim to either self-supply or force the environment to provide supply. The absence of supply can lead to radicalization and the manifestation of recognizable personality disorders. The distinctions between personality disorders are artificial, and individuals exist on a spectrum of traits and behaviors.
Sam Vaknin’s Party Boat of Harsh Truths Facebook Group Q&A (with Sherri McKeon)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses various topics, including his views on narcissism, covert narcissism, the impact of the pandemic on mental health, the nature of leadership, and the state of modern physics. He criticizes the tendency to invent concepts like dark matter and dark energy when faced with unexplained phenomena, instead of revising existing models. He also touches on his theory of time as a fundamental field and the importance of not multiplying entities in scientific theories. Vaknin emphasizes the need for humility in science and the dangers of grandiosity in both personal behavior and academic pursuits.
Narcissism’s Enemies: God, Work, Family (Prophets of Narcissism: Christopher Lasch, 1979, (lecture)
The lecture discusses Christopher Lasch and his views on narcissism, the decline of society, and the role of religion. Lasch criticizes capitalism, consumerism, and the intellectual elite, advocating for a return to traditional values and religious faith. He also discusses the impact of progress and the decline of religion on society. The lecture ends with a preview of the next lecture in the series.
Change Your Inner Dialog, Narrative Plot
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the inner dialogue and its impact on our psyche. He explains that the voices in our heads are influenced by societal expectations and can lead to emotional dysregulation. Vaknin outlines the characteristics of a healthy inner dialogue and emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s own happiness preconditions. He also warns against the dangers of becoming a narcissist or a psychopath in the process of rejecting societal influences.
Why Psychology Will Never Be a Science
Psychology is not a science and can never be one due to its nature as an art form and extension of literature. It fails to meet the criteria of scientific theories, such as yielding testable, falsifiable predictions and being consistent or complete. Psychological theories are more like metaphors or narratives that help people understand themselves and their interactions with others. While psychology attempts to maintain a scientific appearance through observation, measurement, and experimentation, it ultimately lacks the substance of true science.
Healing Through Meaning: Logotherapy, PTMF, and Cold Therapy (University Lecture)
The lecture discusses the importance of meaning in therapy and presents three treatment modalities that leverage meaning as a healing tool. The Power Threat Meaning Framework focuses on understanding the role of power and threat in people’s lives and how they make sense of their experiences. Cold Therapy aims to eliminate grandiosity in narcissistic disorders and depressive narratives, forcing individuals to face their traumas and construct new, reality-based narratives. Logotherapy, developed by Viktor Frankl, emphasizes the human will to find meaning in life, even in the most miserable circumstances, and the importance of suffering when creative possibilities are not available. The lecture also delves into the philosophical and metaphysical assumptions underlying logotherapy and the significance of meaning in human existence.
Nothingness and You in Buddhism and Daoism
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses his philosophical system of life, called nothingness, as an antidote to narcissism. He draws from Eastern influences, particularly Buddhism and Taoism, to explore the concepts of hope, love, and success, and their toxic effects on individual freedoms and authentic being. He emphasizes the interdependence of nothingness and existence, and the role of emptiness in generating value and function in the universe. His philosophy is a synthesis of Western and Eastern thinking, aiming to provide a new perspective on life.
Internet: Heavenly Narcissism Factory (Convo with Guy Sengstock)
Sam Vaknin discusses the profound impact of society and technology on the individual, suggesting that the internet and social media have led to a societal shift where people have chosen the world over the self, resulting in a form of collective narcissism. He argues that technology has become a substitute for essence, and that cyberspace is akin to a digital Platonic cave. Vaknin also touches on the idea that humans and computers are both universal machines, capable of unfurling numerous future potentialities. He suggests that the internet has become a realm where people defend their essence rather than just appearances, and that this has led to a loss of individuality and an increase in narcissistic behavior. Vaknin also discusses the concept of malignant egalitarianism, where technology and democracy have been co-opted by the masses as tools of empowerment and rebellion against the elites who created them. He concludes that in a civilization that celebrates the inanimate over the animate, one must become “dead” inside to succeed, and that this has led to a loss of hope and the ability to become, as all life and functionality are outsourced to others.
My Narcissist Cheats, Jealous, Unaware And Other Pearls
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses various myths about narcissists, including their self-awareness, cheating behavior, and possessiveness. He also delves into the concept of self-gaslighting and the reasons why narcissists hurt or abuse their partners. Additionally, he critiques the approach of interpersonal neurobiology and emphasizes the difficulty of changing the mind of a narcissist. The transcript concludes with a quote from anthropologist David Graber’s book.
What Can Twins Teach Us About Narcissism? (Webinar on Addiction Psychiatry and Human Resilience)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the lack of studies on twins in the field of psychology, particularly in relation to narcissism. Twins provide an ideal case study for understanding individual effects on personality disorders, but research in this area is scarce. Vaknin suggests that being a twin does not seem to be a significant predictor of developing Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) later in life. Instead, age and sex appear to be more important factors in the development and progression of NPD.