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.
Antidepressants Scam, DSM Capitulation
Professor Sam Vaknin criticizes the field of psychology, particularly the use of antidepressants and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM), for being influenced by money and celebrity rather than focusing on helping patients. He argues that the serotonin hypothesis, which claims that low serotonin levels cause depression, is a scam perpetuated by the pharmaceutical industry. Vaknin also highlights the flaws in the DSM, such as its vague and arbitrary diagnostic criteria, and its failure to transition from a categorical to a dimensional model. He calls for a reevaluation of the influence of the pharmaceutical and insurance industries on psychological research and treatment.
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.
Making Sense of Narcissistic Abuse
Narcissists are the result of early childhood abuse and are in a constant state of grief and mourning. They create a shared fantasy with their intimate partners, where they reenact their childhood traumas and use vicarious trauma and narcissistic abuse to weaken their partners. This cycle of abuse and trauma is meant to resolve the narcissist’s unresolved conflicts with their mother figure and restore a sense of power and control. The only solution for those involved with a narcissist is to go no contact to protect their mental well-being.
When Your Pain Traumatizes Others: Vicarious (Secondary) Trauma
Vicarious trauma, also known as secondary traumatic stress, occurs when an individual is exposed to another person’s traumatic experiences, leading to emotional and psychological distress. This phenomenon is common among mental health professionals, but can also affect loved ones and others who empathize with trauma survivors. Vicarious trauma can have severe consequences on an individual’s mental and physical health, as well as their personal and professional relationships. To cope with and prevent vicarious trauma, individuals should practice self-care, seek therapy, and work on building resilience and happiness.
Mass Shooters: Mentally Ill or Show-off?
Mass shooters are typically young, white males who engage in mass shootings as a spectacle and a way to gain immortality and control. They often have a strong presence on social media and are driven by grandiosity, negative emotions, and perceived grievances. The psychology of mass shooters differs from that of terrorists, as they are not ideologically motivated. Preventing mass shootings requires threat assessment, intervention, and addressing the issue of gun control.
Transformed Against Your Will Behind Narcissist’s Glass, Darkly (with Luke Elijah)
Dr. Sam Vaknin, a professor of psychology and finance, discusses the differences between bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, and psychopathy. He advises against confronting narcissists on their toxic behaviors and explains the psychology behind gaslighting and hoovering. Dr. Vaknin believes that while narcissists can change their behaviors, their internal state remains unchanged. He also clarifies the concept of healthy narcissism and expresses concern about the misinformation surrounding narcissism online.
Suicide: Why Choose Life, Not Death!
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the rising tide of suicidal ideation among people of all ages and cultures and provides a philosophical foundation for why people should choose life. He argues that existence is always richer in potential than non-existence and that life is full of potentials because it is complex and because of other people. He also criticizes modern society for presenting falsities, lies, manipulations, and life substitutes that limit people’s promise and suppress their free will. Ultimately, he urges people to choose themselves and realize that their existence alone suffices to steer everyone and everything in another direction and towards an alternative destiny.
Do We Create Reality, Is It a Hive Mind? (with Benny Hendel)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the idea that reality is observer-dependent, and that the mind creates reality via the process of intentionality. He suggests that the observer is not naive and does not collapse the wave function, but rather, the observer is not capable of seeing anything else but the collapsed state. Vaknin proposes that the universe has a DNA of order and structure, and that the role of human beings is to observe the universe and via the act of observation, to collapse it, creating order and structure. He suggests that with every act of collective observation, we are cementing the past of the universe, not just the present.
We are Nothing but Time: Chronon Field Theory (with Benny Hendel)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses his work on chronome field theory, which aims to simplify physics by using time as a force with a field and a single particle called a chronon. The chronon has different excitation states that correspond to various aspects of physics, such as mass and energy. By using these two principles, Vaknin claims that all existing theories in physics can be derived, including string theory and quantum field theory.