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I don't think he should've used the word sociopath. It already has a popularly accepted definition, and the concept that he's trying to represent doesn't fit we
by dunstad 17y ago
I don't think he should've used the word sociopath. It already has a popularly accepted definition, and the concept that he's trying to represent doesn't fit well with it. If you want to read about real sociopaths, go somewhere else.
- roryokane 17y agoWhat word do you think he should have used instead?
- dunstad 17y agoHe could have made one up, or portmanteau-ed something. That's what language is supposed to do when it fails to describe a concept.
- barry-cotter 17y agoPlayer. Losers would be spectators, clueless pawns.
- hnhg 17y agoIt's simply a bad take on Nietzsche's ubermensch. As someone pointed out he even uses the phrase 'will-to-power'.
- nkurz 17y agoYou might be right, although author responds that concern with considerable detail here: But let’s step back here. I am using the word in its everyday, loosely overloaded sense. As in, you telling your friend, “you are such a !@##$ sociopath.” I want to stick to the term for two good reasons. One: Hugh Macleod’s original cartoon which inspired this series is too good to give up. Second, distrust of communities and groups, and a stubborn individualism, are the main personality characteristics here (and this position is not original to me; it is derived from William Whyte). Words like “player” or “enlightened” (two suggested alternatives) don’t cut it. http://www.ribbonfarm.com/2009/11/21/morality-compassion-and-the-sociopath/ http://www.ribbonfarm.com/2009/11/21/morality-compassion-and...