YOLO Psychopaths vs. WOLF Narcissists
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the trilateral model of the psyche, consisting of the id, ego, and superego. He emphasizes that the superego is a part of the ego and plays a role in reality testing and socialization. Without a functioning ego and superego, individuals may lose reality testing and act on base desires without considering consequences, leading to antisocial behavior. Vaknin also explores the psychological phenomena of impulse control, disinhibition, and attentional narrowing in narcissists and psychopaths, linking them to reactive attachment disorder. He highlights the impact of rising narcissism and psychopathy on society, leading to a culture that glorifies lack of impulse control and disinhibition, and the subsequent challenges faced by victims and targets of narcissists and psychopaths.
Don’t Be Ambitious, Be MOTIVATED!
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the concept of ambition, distinguishing it from motivation. He argues that ambition is a form of externalized social control, conditioning individuals to conform to societal norms and expectations. Ambition is characterized by counterfactual thinking, compulsivity, and a focus on external validation and recognition. In contrast, motivation is an internal drive that leads to personal growth and fulfillment. Vaknin emphasizes the negative impact of ambition on individual autonomy and mental health, cautioning against its detrimental effects. He advocates for motivation over ambition as a healthier approach to achieving personal goals and fulfillment.
Will AI Kill Us All? Future with Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence has been a concept throughout human history, with automatons and cults being examples. It is the belief that intelligence is the result of creation and behavior. However, AI displays behaviors that cannot be traced back to programming, and it makes its own decisions, leading to a lack of control. AI also generates narratives and imposes them on human beings, creating an alternative virtual reality. The lecture also discusses the transition from an attention economy to a reality manipulative economy, where reality is controlled and sold back to individuals. The democratization of power and the rise of malignant egalitarianism are also mentioned, with AI empowering narcissism and creating a world of gods.
DO THIS When Narcissist Talks to You!
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the importance of focusing on the motivation behind a person’s communication rather than the explicit content. He emphasizes the hidden text method and explains that narcissists communicate with specific goals in mind, such as impressing, confabulating, supporting grandiosity, and manipulating others. He highlights that the actual words spoken by narcissists are less important than understanding why they are communicating in a particular way. Additionally, he touches on the use of language to manipulate and brainwash others, particularly in the case of narcissists and psychopaths.
Future is Networking, Hierarchies Dead (Seminar in Skopje, North Macedonia)
Professor Sam Vaknin’s lecture covered the following key points: 1. Networks are fundamentally different from hierarchies, with their own characteristics and life cycles. 2. The study of networks has advanced significantly in the past two decades, largely due to the proliferation of computer networks. 3. Networks organize people based on time rather than space, with early participants often reaping the most benefits. 4. Information and power in networks flow horizontally, as opposed to the vertical flow in hierarchies. 5. Networks empower individuals and are constructed on equipotence, while hierarchies disempower and are built on impotence. 6. Networks are more susceptible to external shocks due to their homophilic nature, which can lead to a lack of diversity and resilience. 7. The life cycle of networks includes a mimetic phase (introduction of ideas), an externality phase (network growth and benefits), and potentially a decay phase if the network fails to innovate or maintain internal value. 8. Networks that are self-contained and provide comprehensive value to their members are more likely to succeed and grow. 9. Weak ties within networks, individuals with loose connections to many groups, are crucial for the dissemination of information and innovation. 10. The future of networks likely involves multiplex (multiple types of connections), multimodal (various roles for participants), and multilevel (hierarchical structures) characteristics.
We are Rich People’s Slaves, Neo-feudalism (Euro College, North Macedonia)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the problematic nature of capitalism, which has been recognized for over a thousand years. He argues that capitalism is inherently anti-social institutions and that it is a zero-sum game, benefiting the rich at the expense of the poor. Vaknin predicts a future of neo-feudalism, characterized by low social mobility, hereditary wealth, and the dominance of politics over economics. He also suggests that the rich, despite not coordinating their actions, will act in a concerted fashion to maintain their wealth and power.
MD (Most Dangerous) Narcissists of All: Medical Doctors, Physicians
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the dangers of narcissistic medical doctors and physicians. He explains that narcissistic doctors are overrepresented in the medical profession and are prone to cognitive distortions and behavioral dysfunctions that can harm patients. These doctors consider themselves infallible, confabulate, resist learning, and are hyper-vigilant and vindictive. Vaknin advises patients to seek multiple opinions, rely on common sense and intuition, and choose evidence-based practices. He also warns against the dangers of trusting narcissistic doctors and emphasizes the importance of being assertive and thorough in seeking medical care.
Self-styled Narcissism “Experts”, Psychology Credentials
In the lecture, Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the concept of self-styled experts in psychology and the criteria for defining true expertise in the field. He emphasizes the importance of dedication, publication in peer-reviewed journals, and participation in international conferences as key indicators of expertise. Vaknin also addresses the relevance of academic degrees in psychology, highlighting that while they are important for certain activities such as diagnosing and treating individuals, they are not necessary for creating new theories or treatment modalities. Additionally, he advocates for the inclusion of laymen’s experiences and perspectives in psychology, arguing that their insights can provide valuable information for scholars. Overall, Vaknin aims to disambiguate the confusion surrounding credentials and expertise in the field of psychology.
3 Spells Against Narcissist’s “Black Magic” Presence, Voice (LISTEN, PRINT, DECLAIM)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the impact of narcissists on individuals and provides three affirmations to counter their influence. He advises repeating these affirmations daily, posting them in various places, and vocalizing them frequently to displace the narcissist’s voice in one’s mind. The affirmations emphasize that the narcissist’s behavior is not the fault of the individual, but rather a result of the narcissist’s internal dynamics and needs. By consistently practicing these affirmations, individuals can gradually silence the negative influence of the narcissist.
Cold Therapy: Misinformation, Smears Dispelled
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses his new treatment modality called “cold therapy,” which is a talk therapy designed for individuals diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder and major depression. He dispels misconceptions about cold therapy, emphasizing that it does not involve physical abuse or violence and is strictly verbal. He explains that cold therapy aims to re-traumatize the patient in a controlled and tiered manner, leading to the collapse of the narcissist’s defenses and creating a window of opportunity for change. Vaknin outlines 25 proprietary techniques used in cold therapy, including erasure, hypervigilant referencing, grandiosity reframing, and happiness mapping, to reframe situations and events as traumas and foster more adaptive functioning. He also discusses the challenges and risks associated with cold therapy, such as managing transference and countertransference, addressing suicidal tendencies, and fostering persecutory delusions.