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Why do I feel like you need to be a sociopath to succeed?

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Re: Why do I feel like you need to be a sociopath to succeed?

#2
I am literally writing a pitch deck right now (just for fun). My solution statement includes stuff like "respecting the user - no tracking, no selling data, no dark patterns"... deep down I doubt any investor would even look at this and would laugh at the naivety.

They would look at FB, Reddit and others and, naturally, want a piece of that pie.

Unfortunately, I think the better way to get funding would be to say:

* this is how we can capture as much data from the user as possible while convincing the user it is good for them

* this is how we can sell it to the highest bidder

* this is how we can make the user an addict

Re: Why do I feel like you need to be a sociopath to succeed?

#3
Because that's the correct intuition. The contemporary world is not designed for sane people. All the systems around us are designed to alienate people from each other with artificial intermediators like money, status, fame, and just generally useless toys and gadgets. To succeed in such a world you have to have sociopathic tendencies. You have to value material goods and possessions over people which is kinda insane when you really think about it.

There is an interesting interview with Brit Marling addressing some of these points about her time working at a bank (Goldman Sachs): https://duckduckgo.com/?q=brit+marling+goldman+sachs&t=ffab&....

Re: Why do I feel like you need to be a sociopath to succeed?

#5
How do you cultivate sociopathy?

I took a personality disorder quiz and scored high on everything except the dark triad.

Because of that quiz score, I’m worried that my earning potential is not as high as it could be if I was otherwise a high functioning psychopath.

I’m totally serious btw, any tips are appreciated.

Re: Why do I feel like you need to be a sociopath to succeed?

#7

How do you cultivate sociopathy? I took a personality disorder quiz and scored high on everything except the dark triad. Because of that quiz score, I’m worried that my earning potential is not as high as it could be if I was otherwise a high functioning psychopath. I’m totally serious btw, any tips are appreciated.

I feel like I’ve seen a book called The 48 Laws of Power recommended frequently for that.

Re: Why do I feel like you need to be a sociopath to succeed?

#8

How do you cultivate sociopathy? I took a personality disorder quiz and scored high on everything except the dark triad. Because of that quiz score, I’m worried that my earning potential is not as high as it could be if I was otherwise a high functioning psychopath. I’m totally serious btw, any tips are appreciated.

Get out of your comfort zone. Seek out awkwardness, and anxiety, and revel in the uncomfortable. That's how you learn to not give a fuck. Do things that would bring you shame, grin and bare it. After awhile none of it applies anymore.
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