Ambient Psycho-Pathologies

Thank goodness. Professor William A. Jacobson has pretty much covered the waterfront on the murders in Arizona. So I don’t need to.

And Doug Ross has documented our own house economist, Pauly Krugman’s, take on the tragedy in his excellent wrap-up. So again, I don’t have to.

And I’m glad I don’t have to talk about it. Because if I did I’d probably have to point out how our lefty economists, bloggers and media lapdogs all seem to be suffering from psychological maladies that distort their reporting. Psychological afflictions of this sort used to be considered dysfunctional. And when manifested in print or on the air, unprofessional.

Take for example the pathology of “projection,” as explained by Dr. Sanity:

Projection is an elegantly simple defense mechanism. You simply take your own unacceptable thoughts, feelings, behaviors and impulses and put them into some other individual or group. That way, you don't have to take responsibility for those thoughts, feelings or behaviors. Another payoff for utilization of this particular defense is that by eliminating these unacceptable items from your own psyche, you magically begin to feel morally superior to the object(s) of your projection.

She also notes that it becomes a bit more intense at the margins:

At the extreme of this psychological strategy, are outright paranoia and delusion; two stalwart psychological mechanisms which can always be tapped when the stress of daily projection becomes too much.

Hoo-whee! Can I ever relate to that last part - about the stress of daily projection:

 

Should it turn out that the murdering dirt bag from Tucson is actually as paranoid as some of his school mates have alleged, I’m certain Dr. Sanity will be able to help us understand his psyche better. I think her short take on the malady is this:

Paranoia can be conceptualized as "rationality in the service of the irrational."

 

Again: I can relate.

I also think the Doc is a little disappointed that Narcissistic Personality Disorder is being removed from The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fifth Edition.  Just for the record, in order to be diagnosed, currently, with the disorder you must exhibit at least five of the following symptoms:

1. An exaggerated sense of self-importance
2. Preoccupation with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love
3. Believes he is "special" and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)
4. Requires excessive admiration
5. Has a sense of entitlement
6. Selfishly takes advantage of others to achieve his own ends
7. Lacks empathy
8. Is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him
9. Shows arrogant, haughty, patronizing, or contemptuous behaviors or attitudes.

Just 5?

 

That doesn’t describe anyone around here. Butt it’s good to know it’s no longer a pathology. Due to it’s prevalence in our “look at me” society, narcissism is the new post-modern normal.

That explains a lot. I guess.

 Button counting, the new math way

In other important Big White news, Lady M got a Chicago crony of her own for her new Chief of Staff. More on her later, butt she looks like a natural to help out with our No Fat Kids’ Behind program.

And last, butt certainly not least, Lady M is having lunch with Carla tomorrow! I’m really excited! It’s been a while since I had a reflection like that around here. Unfortunately, the photo embargo will be back in place, butt I’ll see what I can do.

 

On the other hand, maybe I should just go along with the embargo.