Learning from psychopaths -- want to win in life and politics?

[Edward777]

Maybe the reason psychopaths win is because they know how to play the game -- and they play to win. So what can normal people learn from these people? Can normal people remain good while learning from psychopaths in politics, election strategy and even their personal lives? With the elections coming up we have seen how Romney lost the election in 2012 trying to be Mr. Nice Guy. Can we afford to make the same mistake twice?

How to incorporate psychopathic strategies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UzOT8Ftljc

One does not need to turn to the dark side to use the force you know. ;)

[VIDEODROME]

Call the Psycho-HotLine for advise.

[pessimist]

Maybe the reason psychopaths win is because they know how to play the game -- and they play to win. So what can normal people learn from these people? Can normal people remain good while learning from psychopaths in politics, election strategy and even their personal lives? With the elections coming up we have seen how Romney lost the election in 2012 trying to be Mr. Nice Guy. Can we afford to make the same mistake twice?

How to incorporate psychopathic strategies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UzOT8Ftljc

One does not need to turn to the dark side to use the force you know. ;)


It is no surprise that many of those in power are sociopaths. Those with a conscience usually aren't driven to power or have the need to control or influence others.

Only a small percentage of people actually want to be Politicians, CEO's, and dictators.

[Philhelm]

I have a friend from high school whom I believe is a sociopath. He's not murderous or anything like that, but he really knows how to schmooze people and has no honor. In high school, he pushed away his exams and put his head on the desk. He lost his driver's license because he had lied in court about not being in town (he was racing another friend who got pulled over by the cops, and the friend ratted - apparently the cop found his car in his driveway when he was supposedly away at college). He dropped out of college because he was partying and doing drugs (weed, shrooms, acid, etc.). He got married and divorced, and his wife let him keep the house, which he sold for a profit. He always wins money at the casino. He went to a two-year technical school for programming, and now he apparently earns $130,000 per year and is in a management position - oh, and he lives in San Diego. He banged a 20-year-old intern and gave her an outstanding performance review. His boss is a partier too, so he got back into doing drugs and leaves his job early on Fridays so they can party and bang interns.

Meanwhile, another mutual friend was the valedictorian of our high school and was always a person of high integrity. He got a free ride in order to get a Master's in Electrical Engineering, had a high level security clearance, and was designing next generation technology for missile defense. He's single, unemployed, and living with his parents. I'm sure he'll find another six-figure job soon, but he'll still be single and alone, with no friends.

Apparently Charisma isn't a dump stat after all... It's the most important stat.

[Christian Liberty]

I have a friend from high school whom I believe is a sociopath. He's not murderous or anything like that, but he really knows how to schmooze people and has no honor. In high school, he pushed away his exams and put his head on the desk. He lost his driver's license because he had lied in court about not being in town (he was racing another friend who got pulled over by the cops, and the friend ratted - apparently the cop found his car in his driveway when he was supposedly away at college). He dropped out of college because he was partying and doing drugs (weed, shrooms, acid, etc.). He got married and divorced, and his wife let him keep the house, which he sold for a profit. He always wins money at the casino. He went to a two-year technical school for programming, and now he apparently earns $130,000 per year and is in a management position - oh, and he lives in San Diego. He banged a 20-year-old intern and gave her an outstanding performance review. His boss is a partier too, so he got back into doing drugs and leaves his job early on Fridays so they can party and bang interns.

Meanwhile, another mutual friend was the valedictorian of our high school and was always a person of high integrity. He got a free ride in order to get a Master's in Electrical Engineering, had a high level security clearance, and was designing next generation technology for missile defense. He's single, unemployed, and living with his parents. I'm sure he'll find another six-figure job soon, but he'll still be single and alone, with no friends.

Apparently Charisma isn't a dump stat after all... It's the most important stat.

Aren't we all at least kind of like that?;)

(And by "all" I mean all of the 1% of the country that's actually smart enough to be libertarian and thus pretty much alienated by everyone else.)

[PaulConventionWV]

I've long suspected I'm a psychopath. Nothing in the video surprises me in the least.

[Edward777]

I've long suspected I'm a psychopath. Nothing in the video surprises me in the least.

Here is a quiz: http://www.arkancide.com/psychopathy.htm

[bolil]

Yeah, what about us Psychopaths that happen to have overactive consciences? All you can learn from us is: It doesn't get better. lol!

[PaulConventionWV]

Here is a quiz: http://www.arkancide.com/psychopathy.htm

Thanks. Apparently, I am.

[Edward777]

Score?

Also, do you agree with the video that there are things that normals could learn from psychopaths to gain goals?

[Philhelm]

Score?

Also, do you agree with the video that there are things that normals could learn from psychopaths to gain goals?

I was hoping for a perfect score but ended up with only a C+ since I've lost my virginity, don't wet my bed, and I don't think of my mother while touching myself.

[pessimist]

I've long suspected I'm a psychopath. Nothing in the video surprises me in the least.


Didn't you say that you suffered with anxiety and depression? I find it hard to believe a true psychopath/sociopath would experience anxiety.

[Ronin Truth]

When one gets in bed with government, one must expect the diseases it spreads.
Ron Paul (http://www.ronpaulforums.com/quotes/authors/r/ron_paul.html)

[Edward777]

Didn't you say that you suffered with anxiety and depression? I find it hard to believe a true psychopath/sociopath would experience anxiety.

Anyone can experience anxiety. Think of it as a dog who knows it will be kicked if it goes to the bathroom on the kitchen floor but the owner just sits there and does nothing when it barks to go out. Today's society acts the same way on humans within our current societal constructs.

[RonPaulIsGreat]

Didn't you say that you suffered with anxiety and depression? I find it hard to believe a true psychopath/sociopath would experience anxiety.

I think he's confusing psychopath with full of shit.

[PaulConventionWV]

Score?

Also, do you agree with the video that there are things that normals could learn from psychopaths to gain goals?

Score was 30. And yes, I totally agree. I think people sit and worry about the feelings of others too much. As long as you can make it right, you have done no wrong as far as I'm concerned. I don't think being psychopathic is a negative thing as long as you can control it. Not everyone who thinks like that goes into a murderous rage. As I'm sure you know, I'm a big advocate of human rights even though I tend to focus more on the injustices on the part of authorities than the suffering of the victims. They both achieve the same purpose.

[PaulConventionWV]

Didn't you say that you suffered with anxiety and depression? I find it hard to believe a true psychopath/sociopath would experience anxiety.

Then you really don't understand how either depression or psychopathy work.

Psychopathy doesn't mean you don't feel feelings. In fact, depression and psychopathy go together rather well. Depression itself is not just being sad, it's a lack of emotional response and a constantly gloomy outlook. I don't suffer from the gloomy outlook anymore, and I think I'm a pretty healthy individual.

[RonPaulIsGreat]

Then you really don't understand how either depression or psychopathy work.

Psychopathy doesn't mean you don't feel feelings. In fact, depression and psychopathy go together rather well. Depression itself is not just being sad, it's a lack of emotional response and a constantly gloomy outlook. I don't suffer from the gloomy outlook anymore, and I think I'm a pretty healthy individual.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/mindmelding/201301/what-is-psychopath-0

No psychopath is mentally healthy. That is like saying a cancer patient is healthy.

[PaulConventionWV]

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/mindmelding/201301/what-is-psychopath-0

No psychopath is mentally healthy. That is like saying a cancer patient is healthy.

Sure, if you listen to the medical professionals. I don't think that way, though.

Millions of people fall into the category of psychopath or sociopath, but very few of them ever commit heinous crimes.

[RonPaulIsGreat]

Sure, if you listen to the medical professionals. I don't think that way, though.

Millions of people fall into the category of psychopath or sociopath, but very few of them ever commit heinous crimes.

That's why the prisons are stuffed full of them.

"One per cent of the population at large is generally reckoned to be psychopathic - but up to 20 per cent of the prison population is reckoned to be psychopathic."

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2065161/Psychopaths-arent-just-mentally-different--brains-physically-deformed-prevent-feeling-fear-guilt.html#

[PaulConventionWV]

That's why the prisons are stuffed full of them.

"One per cent of the population at large is generally reckoned to be psychopathic - but up to 20 per cent of the prison population is reckoned to be psychopathic."

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2065161/Psychopaths-arent-just-mentally-different--brains-physically-deformed-prevent-feeling-fear-guilt.html#

Keywords "reckoned to be". Reckoned by whom?

Just like anything, psychopathy may expose you to a greater risk of being mentally unstable, but I don't think it's inherently a bad thing.

[RonPaulIsGreat]

Okey Dokey. Being a psychopath, means you don't care about other people, are more violent, impulsive, prone to blame others for your mistakes, torture animals, and are far more likely to commit crimes in general.

Naaaa, nothing bad about that... Nope... Man if everyone were like that the world would be an utopia.

For the record, IMO, it's doubtful you've been actually tested to be a psychopath, as no sane psychopath would actually reveal that, as there would be no gain in doing that.

[Christian Liberty]

Score was 30. And yes, I totally agree. I think people sit and worry about the feelings of others too much. As long as you can make it right, you have done no wrong as far as I'm concerned. I don't think being psychopathic is a negative thing as long as you can control it. Not everyone who thinks like that goes into a murderous rage. As I'm sure you know, I'm a big advocate of human rights even though I tend to focus more on the injustices on the part of authorities than the suffering of the victims. They both achieve the same purpose.

I do the same thing but I only scored a 5...

[PaulConventionWV]

Okey Dokey. Being a psychopath, means you don't care about other people, are more violent, impulsive, prone to blame others for your mistakes, torture animals, and are far more likely to commit crimes in general.

Naaaa, nothing bad about that... Nope... Man if everyone were like that the world would be an utopia.

For the record, IMO, it's doubtful you've been actually tested to be a psychopath, as no sane psychopath would actually reveal that, as there would be no gain in doing that.

You're right. Besides that little test that Edward777 offered at the beginning, I've never been tested to be one, but what do I gain? Well, I like to think people who are psychopathic are that way because they are smarter than most people. With great power comes great responsibility. People who can't handle it will become criminals. Those who can handle it aren't bad people just because they think differently than most people.

I'd say it's a little more complicated than not caring about others (psychopaths do have the capacity to care, just in different ways) and being violent (you don't have to be violent). Being impulsive and prone to blame others for mistakes? Well, who doesn't do that?

Torturing animals is just something you pulled from a news piece on the Columbine shootings. That doesn't happen all the time. You're right that it could be a problem, but I don't think people should be labeled as mentally sick just because some doctor decided what was the correct and incorrect way to think and decided that people who don't fall into his neatly defined categories are crazy. Think outside the box a little. You only hear about the psychopaths who are on the news for killing people. You never hear about the ones who become CEOs and make great inventions because then their psychopathy doesn't matter. It's only when they do bad things that the psychopathy matters.

I'd rather be a psychopath than some Joe Schmeaux who never acts because he doesn't want to offend anyone and is proud of mopping floors for some company for 27 years because he's such a useful idiot who will never achieve greatness.

[PaulConventionWV]

I do the same thing but I only scored a 5...

Whatever. I don't care about the test.

[Christian Liberty]

I tortured lizards when I was 6. I guess I have no hope now....

[Christian Liberty]

Whatever. I don't care about the test.

Does it actually make you more psychopathic to feel morally superior to statists?

[RonPaulIsGreat]

You're right. Besides that little test that Edward777 offered at the beginning, I've never been tested to be one, but what do I gain? Well, I like to think people who are psychopathic are that way because they are smarter than most people. With great power comes great responsibility. People who can't handle it will become criminals. Those who can handle it aren't bad people just because they think differently than most people.

I'd say it's a little more complicated than not caring about others (psychopaths do have the capacity to care, just in different ways) and being violent (you don't have to be violent). Being impulsive and prone to blame others for mistakes? Well, who doesn't do that?

Torturing animals is just something you pulled from a news piece on the Columbine shootings. That doesn't happen all the time. You're right that it could be a problem, but I don't think people should be labeled as mentally sick just because some doctor decided what was the correct and incorrect way to think and decided that people who don't fall into his neatly defined categories are crazy. Think outside the box a little. You only hear about the psychopaths who are on the news for killing people. You never hear about the ones who become CEOs and make great inventions because then their psychopathy doesn't matter. It's only when they do bad things that the psychopathy matters.

Well, I have read books on it and watched all the videos I could find on it, though, I don't have the stats memorized. Animal torture is a common thing for young psychopaths, also fascination with fire, they used to say bedwetting, but that has been determined not to be a factor. It's not made up.

[pessimist]

Then you really don't understand how either depression or psychopathy work.

Psychopathy doesn't mean you don't feel feelings. In fact, depression and psychopathy go together rather well. Depression itself is not just being sad, it's a lack of emotional response and a constantly gloomy outlook. I don't suffer from the gloomy outlook anymore, and I think I'm a pretty healthy individual.


Psychopaths have a remarkably high tolerance to stress. Moreover, they lack empathy and impulse control- that is why prisons are full of them.

However, it is true being a sociopath doesn't = criminal. Your surgeon, dentist, or veterinarian could be a sociopath and not have any sympathy whatsoever for their patients, but they have no intention of harming them or committing a crime.


Depression itself is not just being sad, it's a lack of emotional response and a constantly gloomy outlook

Yeah it's more than an 'outlook' but let's not rehash that again. Maybe the word you're looking for is narcissist?

[Philhelm]

For the record, IMO, it's doubtful you've been actually tested to be a psychopath, as no sane psychopath would actually reveal that, as there would be no gain in doing that.

Maybe it's the only "cool" way to explain the bed wetting?

[Philhelm]

I tortured lizards when I was 6. I guess I have no hope now....

Psychological torture is better. I had a friend that cornered my family's cat behind the toilet, and he scared her so bad that she started shitting. He literally scared the shit out of the cat. All he did was grab a plunger and poke it at her, without even touching her, while saying "Ooooh-ja-booojawah! Ooooh-ja-booojawah!" Then he screamed out like a girl, "Oh my god! Your cat is shitting!"

[Christian Liberty]

Psychological torture is better. I had a friend that cornered my family's cat behind the toilet, and he scared her so bad that she started shitting. He literally scared the shit out of the cat. All he did was grab a plunger and poke it at her, without even touching her, while saying "Ooooh-ja-booojawah! Ooooh-ja-booojawah!" Then he screamed out like a girl, "Oh my god! Your cat is shitting!"
lol! In all seriousness, I'm not defending what I did, but I think I'm mentally fine now, despite what the products of public indoctrination centers would think.

[PaulConventionWV]

Does it actually make you more psychopathic to feel morally superior to statists?

That's a possibility, or maybe I feel morally superior to statists because I am one. I don't know. I do think psychopaths tend to be more libertarian, though.

[PaulConventionWV]

Well, I have read books on it and watched all the videos I could find on it, though, I don't have the stats memorized. Animal torture is a common thing for young psychopaths, also fascination with fire, they used to say bedwetting, but that has been determined not to be a factor. It's not made up.

You know what they say, there are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.

[Christian Liberty]

That's a possibility, or maybe I feel morally superior to statists because I am one. I don't know. I do think psychopaths tend to be more libertarian, though.

I pretty much feel the same way (regarding moral superiority to statists) so I do have to wonder what that is. I don't think I'm a psychopath, though...

[PaulConventionWV]

Psychopaths have a remarkably high tolerance to stress. Moreover, they lack empathy and impulse control- that is why prisons are full of them.

True, but that doesn't mean they don't get stressed.


However, it is true being a sociopath doesn't = criminal. Your surgeon, dentist, or veterinarian could be a sociopath and not have any sympathy whatsoever for their patients, but they have no intention of harming them or committing a crime.

Bravo.


Yeah it's more than an 'outlook' but let's not rehash that again. Maybe the word you're looking for is narcissist?

I guess it's kind of hard to distinguish the two from the eyes of another, isn't it?

[pessimist]

I guess it's kind of hard to distinguish the two from the eyes of another, isn't it?


Yeah, they're probably similar on the surface. Malignant narcissism is apparently a combo of NPD and ASPD.

However there are differences.

According to WHO: http://apps.who.int/classifications/icd10/browse/2010/en#/F60.2

ASPD is:


Personality disorder characterized by disregard for social obligations, and callous unconcern for the feelings of others. There is gross disparity between behaviour and the prevailing social norms. Behaviour is not readily modifiable by adverse experience, including punishment. There is a low tolerance to frustration and a low threshold for discharge of aggression, including violence; there is a tendency to blame others, or to offer plausible rationalizations for the behaviour bringing the patient into conflict with society.

According to the mayoclinic (I can't find the WHO NPD definition for some reason): http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/narcissistic-personality-disorder/basics/definition/con-20025568

NPD is:


Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental disorder in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance and a deep need for admiration. Those with narcissistic personality disorder believe that they're superior to others and have little regard for other people's feelings. But behind this mask of ultra-confidence lies a fragile self-esteem, vulnerable to the slightest criticism.

Narcissistic personality disorder is one of several types of personality disorders. Personality disorders are conditions in which people have traits that cause them to feel and behave in socially distressing ways, limiting their ability to function in relationships and in other areas of their life, such as work or school.

Narcissistic personality disorder treatment is centered around psychotherapy.

I think the average histrionic celebrity is probably more of a narcissist than a psychopath, whereas a CEO of a multinational corporation is probably more a psychopath or a malignant narcissist.

[PaulConventionWV]

Yeah, they're probably similar on the surface. Malignant narcissism is apparently a combo of NPD and ASPD.

However there are differences.

According to WHO: http://apps.who.int/classifications/icd10/browse/2010/en#/F60.2

ASPD is:



According to the mayoclinic (I can't find the WHO NPD definition for some reason): http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/narcissistic-personality-disorder/basics/definition/con-20025568

NPD is:



I think the average histrionic celebrity is probably more of a narcissist than a psychopath, whereas a CEO of a multinational corporation is probably more a psychopath or a malignant narcissist.

I'd say that's about right, but I tend not to take the WHO's word on anything.

[Edward777]

That's a possibility, or maybe I feel morally superior to statists because I am one. I don't know. I do think psychopaths tend to be more libertarian, though.

That might be true as psychopaths see themselves in the light of Nietzsche's Uberman in the sense they are superior to others and resent people imposing their rules on them, especially in the name of "doing good for society."

[Warrior_of_Freedom]

Nothing is scarier than an angry person with a good heart. It's how all tyrants who think they are invincible fall. When shit hits the fan and we're all being tied down and forced to take our soul-sucking vaccinations and being marched into prison camps and fed human meat goo, it will be the really angry, good people who have the determination of a million braindead zombie enforcers that will inspire everybody else and win in the end.

[amy31416]

Psycho/sociopaths should all just go kill themselves and take yourself out of the gene pool. I have zero tolerance for you, and don't give a shit if you can be a good dentist or doctor, lawyer or politician. People who empathize can do the same thing without fucking other people over.

[jj-]

Psycho/sociopaths should all just go kill themselves and take yourself out of the gene pool. I have zero tolerance for you, and don't give a shit if you can be a good dentist or doctor, lawyer or politician. People who empathize can do the same thing without fucking other people over.

There are cases of "accidental" deaths during surgery, where they "accidentally" cut something important to the heart for example and the patient dies. Many of those I'm sure are done intentionally by doctors who happen to be psychos.

I recall a case where they waited until the statute of limitations expired, so they could no longer be sued, and then informed the family of what happened. What's good at that point, other than to brag?

A similar case I recall from the news was when doctors cut their initials in the liver of a patient during surgery. Their initials were found years later during another surgery.

[GunnyFreedom]

Here is a quiz: http://www.arkancide.com/psychopathy.htm

lol, I got a "1," and it was a weak "1" at that. :D

[Warrior_of_Freedom]

A similar case I recall from the news was when doctors cut their initials in the liver of a patient during surgery. Their initials were found years later during another surgery.
Holy crap that's disturbing.

[jj-]

Holy crap that's disturbing.

Top surgeon suspended over claims he 'seared his initials on transplant patient's LIVER (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2528813/Top-surgeon-suspended-claims-seared-initials-transplant-patients-LIVER.html#ixzz3Z69k41W6)

I just read it again, he didn't cut it, he used argon gas.

Another case, this time in the abdomen: Doctor Carved His Initials Into Patient, Lawsuit Says (http://www.nytimes.com/2000/01/22/nyregion/doctor-carved-his-initials-into-patient-lawsuit-says.html)