The GOP-controlled media has been pushing the GOP talking point that the 2008 presidential election is not about issues, rather it is about personality, specifically John McCain's personality.
Not his personality in the way regular people would perceive the meaning of the word, but the
myth surrounding his
life story and the type of person they wish to associate with their narrow definition of "courage" and "values". It is the hope of the GOP that "personality" is confused with "mythology" for their candidate and "celebrity" for the Democratic candidate, Obama.
But, what if people didn't take the definition of "personality" that way? What if people understand it another way?
The "mythology = personality" meme has yet to set in, so maybe there's still a chance to subvert the propaganda and keep the reality in the forefront.
The dictionary defines personality without mentioning mythology:
3 a: the complex of characteristics that distinguishes an individual or a nation or group;
especially : the totality of an individual's behavioral and emotional characteristics b: a set of distinctive traits and characteristics <the energetic
personality of the city>
--
Merriam-Webster Another common, more revealing and also mythology-free understanding of the word "personality" is the scientific or psychiatric use of the word, as in:
personality disorder.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (or DSM-IV for short) lists
10 different personality disorders, Wikip*dia lists
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Personality_disorders">19.
Of the 10 (or 19), there are two that seem to pop up most often when discussing the wild and wooly world of Machiavellian politics. One is the Narcissistic personality disorder.
It is the second, the antisocial personality (sometimes called sociopathic personality disorder) or
sociopath, which will be the focus of this post.
Dr. Robert Hare has been a researcher in the field of psychopathy for over 35 years and actually developed a set of checklists used by police departments to weed out new recruits likely to be sociopaths.
To develop his checklists, he studied criminals in jails, but has recently turned his sights on the corporate boardroom.
On the broad continuum between the ethical everyman and the predatory killer, there's plenty of room for people who are ruthless but not violent. This is where you're likely to find such people as Ebbers, Fastow, ImClone CEO Sam Waksal, and hotelier Leona Helmsley.
(...)
together with New York industrial psychologist Paul Babiak, Hare begins marketing the B-Scan, a personality test that companies can use to spot job candidates who may have an MBA but lack a conscience. "I always said that if I wasn't studying psychopaths in prison, I'd do it at the stock exchange," Hare told Fast Company. "There are certainly more people in the business world who would score high in the psychopathic dimension than in the general population. You'll find them in any organization where, by the nature of one's position, you have power and control over other people and the opportunity to get something."
(...)
Babiak found that these organizational shake-ups created a welcoming environment for the corporate killer. "The psychopath has no difficulty dealing with the consequences of rapid change; in fact, he or she thrives on it," Babiak claims. "Organizational chaos provides both the necessary stimulation for psychopathic thrill seeking and sufficient cover for psychopathic manipulation and abusive behavior."
--
FastCompany.comNaturally, the GOP will desperately try to spin this to their benefit. They are sure to obsess on the use of the word "change" to deflect any scrutiny from their own Party's behavior and project it onto others.
But, not accepting blame is just what a sociopath would do.
In fact, there's a whole list of things sociopaths are more likely to do than normal people. Try to see which ones sound like the behaviors of the "personalities" on the Republican ticket:
(excerpts)They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They may dominate and humiliate their victims.
Feels entitled to certain things as "their right."
Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and even able to pass lie detector tests.
A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.
Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others' feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them.
Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believe they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others.
Not concerned about wrecking others' lives and dreams. Oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blames others, even for acts they obviously committed.
Tends to move around a lot or makes all encompassing promises for the future, poor work ethic but exploits others effectively.
Changes their image as needed to avoid prosecution. Changes life story readily.
--
R. Preston McAfee, CalTech It is important to point out that unlike amateur internet psychiatrists, Dr. Hare is careful to avoid a misdiagnosis by distinguishing certain traits from others:
Factor 1: The callous, selfish, remorseless use of others
Facet 1a: Interpersonal
Facet 1b: Affective
Factor 2: A chronically unstable and antisocial lifestyle
Facet 2a: Impulsive Lifestyle
Facet 2b: Antisocial Behavior
--
PearsonAssessments.com The DSM is also careful not to misdiagnose by distinguishing "symptoms" (that anyone can perceive) and
diagnostic criteria, which fit a stricter definition as well as requiring a minimum of
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sociopathic_personality_disorder#Diagnostic_criteria">three (of the seven) criteria in addition to the absence of other disorders before making the diagnosis of "sociopath".
Even the authors of the several books speculating on current president George W. Bush's mental fitness are careful to remind their readers that long-distance, Frist-like mind-reading cannot replace in-person, clinical diagnoses.
But, this is the internet! If it is possible for Dr. Hare to apply his checklist to CEOs, doesn't it stand to reason that there may also be a way to apply it to the politicians on the Republican ticket as well?
Naomi Klein may have stumbled onto a long history of such ruthless behavior in her book,
Shock Doctrine. Klein's book documents how University of Chicago economics professor and Republican idol, Milton Friedman, developed and tested
"disaster capitalism" in Chile maintaining the myth of its superiority to other systems despite the wishes of the Chilean people and reality proving its failure over and over.
The most important aspect of the antisocial personality is the inability to care about another's feelings. After the GOP's collective attack on community organizers, it is clear which ticket cares less about others.
Perhaps the GOP are right; this
is an election about personality.
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LINK
The Unburdened Mind, includes a simple checklist.
Shock Doctrine, a short film, probably not safe for some workplaces.
Dealing with everyday sociopathshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antisocial_personality_disorder">Wikip*dia page on Antisocial personality disorder
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissistic_personality_disorder">Wikip*dia page on Narcissistic personality disorder.
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