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Self-described "psychopaths" are pathetic, in my opinion. First, you're probably not one, just as a person who occasionally plays video games till 3:00 is not
by michaelochurch 15y ago
Self-described "psychopaths" are pathetic, in my opinion.
First, you're probably not one, just as a person who occasionally plays video games till 3:00 is not an "insomniac", a person who double-checks locked doors is not "paranoid", a high-strung, finicky person is not "OCD", and a mild rush of anxiety caused by an unpleasant situation is not a "panic attack".
Why do I say this? Because a real psychopath would never find it useful to discuss his psychopathy. Psychopaths don't overshare, because they don't really ever share (although they may feign emotions and share those, if it suits them). It doesn't benefit them to self-identify as psychopaths.
Your claimed lack of empathy is normal emotional awkwardness, not psychopathy. Welcome to HN.
- rdtsc 15y ago> Why do I say this? Because a real psychopath would never find it useful to discuss his psychopathy Interestingly, once it becomes common knowledge that if one describes themselves as a psychopath they couldn't possibly be a psychopath, it would be beneficial for the psychopaths to just identify themselves as a psychopaths because in the eyes of others will instantly be labeled as "definitely not psychopathic". That would perhaps serve as an extra shield behind which they can hide their psychopathy.
- DrCatbox 15y agoIts psychopaths all the way down!
- michaelochurch 15y agoInteresting possibility, but claiming psychopathy still reflects badly on a person's character, even if it means that person is almost certainly not a psychopath. It shows that a person is at least mildly histrionic and self-deprecating in an off-putting way (cheap, fake sincerity). Therefore, it's not a useful or skillful act, and the rational psychopaths aren't going to pursue it.