World After Pandemic: Society and Economy (Interview Kanal 77)
Pandemics are self-limiting and have a social and economic rebound. The aftermath of pandemics is always the same, with an explosion of extraversion and an economic rebound. However, the pandemic will lead to income inequality, with the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. The workforce will be divided into two segments, with 90% of workers being low-income and unskilled, and the remaining 10% being highly skilled and educated. The pandemic will lead to a revolution, but it will fail because the masses are too heavily invested in the same system that the elites benefit from.
Mantras for New Normal, Victim’s Resolutions
In this transcript, Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the story of Jacob wrestling with an angel and how it represents the human struggle with existence. He emphasizes the importance of self-love and self-acceptance, without narcissism, as the key to happiness. He also advises setting clear boundaries and having zero tolerance for abuse and disrespect. Vaknin encourages embracing change and focusing on oneself in the new normal of 2021.
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.
Narcissists, Psychosis, Eternal Victims: Splitting the Inner Dialog
Narcissists feel like victims because of a disruption in their inner dialogue, leading to confusion between internal and external objects. This confusion is resolved through a defense mechanism called splitting, where the narcissist sees themselves as all bad and the world as all good, or vice versa. This can lead to dissociation and other mental health issues. Trauma and addiction can also be linked to this disrupted inner dialogue.
YOU are THE Master Text (Prophets of Narcissism: Louis Althusser, 1960s, SIAS-CIAPS Lecture)
Louis Althusser was a prominent intellectual figure in the 1960s and 1970s, contributing to cultural debates and modern intellectual history. He believed that society consists of practices, such as economic, political, and ideological practices, and that ideology is a central part of the social superstructure. Althusser’s work focused on the concept of the “problematic,” which determines which questions and answers are part of a discourse and which should be excluded. He also introduced the idea of “interpolation,” where ideologies attempt to influence individuals and convert them into subjects, such as consumers.
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.
Identify Your Shadow 14 Shadow Types
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses different shadow types in each section. In the first section, he describes the first shadow type characterized by anhedonia, dysphoria, intellectual superiority, victimization, and persecutory delusions. In the second section, he discusses four different shadow types, including a lack of empathy, criminal behavior, paranoia, and emotional instability. In the third section, he provides examples of three different patients as shadow types. In the fourth section, he describes two shadow types in groups, such as nations, clubs, and churches. Finally, in the fifth section, he discusses four different shadow types, including emotional absence, self-destructive behavior, worthlessness, and sadistic behavior.
Victim: Don’t Become Your Abuser!
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the dangers of embracing victimhood after experiencing narcissistic abuse. He explains that there are three categories of victims: those affected by the narcissist’s instability, those misled by the narcissist’s emotional signals, and those intentionally targeted by the narcissist. Vaknin warns that adopting a perpetual victim mentality can lead to narcissistic behaviors, splitting the world into good and evil, and becoming emotionally dependent on the victim identity. He urges individuals to reflect on their own contributions to their situations and avoid falling into the trap of perpetual victimhood.
Narcissism, Islam, Women: Our Future (with Karoline Gil)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the rise of narcissism in societies, its impact on foreign relations, and the historical context of these phenomena. He also touches on the COVID-19 pandemic, the decline of the United States, the potential rise of China, and the future dominance of women in society. Vaknin emphasizes the inevitability of historical cycles and the futility of resistance, advocating for acceptance and non-resistance. He also predicts gender wars as a defining feature of the future.
Questions My (Late) Goldfish Asked Me about Meaning of Life
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the concept of meaning in life, arguing that it is subjective, arbitrary, and consensus-driven. He explores the relationship between essence, existence, and meaning, and questions whether meaning can exist without a designer. Vaknin also examines the role of context in determining meaning and encourages listeners to find their own answers to the complex and multifaceted concept of meaning.