This Is Not A Narcissistic Injury

The hanging of Saddam is not a narcissistic injury. It may seem like one, but it's not-- and why it's not makes all the difference in predicting what will happen next.

With every narcissistic injury is a reflexive urge towards violence. I'll say it again in case the meaning was not clear: a reflexive urge towards violence. It could be homicide, or suicide, or fire, or breaking a table-- but it is immediate and inevitable. It may be mitigated, or controlled, but the impulse is there. The violence serves two necessary psychological functions: first, it's the natural byproduct of rage. Second, the violence perpetuates the link, the relationship, keeps him in the lead role. "That slut may have had a whole life outside me, but I will make her forever afraid of me." Or he kills himself-- not because he can't live without her, but because from now on she won't be able to live without thinking about him. See? Now it's a drama, but the movie goes on.

Fascinating! Do you think certain occupations tend toward narcissism, or do you think narcissists tend toward certain occupations? I tend to notice (and balk) when successful journalists and pundits self reference, transfer emotion, and or herd their coverage of a current event specifically to facilitate access to future events. This is not to say some narcissism isn't warranted in certain occupations - like journalism or commentary. Alternatively, are all dictators successful narcissists? They are indeed the main actor in their film. And finally, is there a syndrome that is the exact opposite of narcissism, IE voyeurism? Great blog…

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