Letter From A Psychopath • Hacker News Board

Re: Letter From A Psychopath

#271

Post by calroc » Fri, Dec 20, 2013, 11:43 PM UTC

tomstokes wrote: post #92

Perhaps the most fascinating part of this letter is observing people's reactions to it. In the letter, the author goes so far as to admit that s/he is and always will be a psychopath without a sense of guilt or remorse toward others and a keen ability to recognize and exploit weaknesses in others for his/her own gain. Judging by the comments here, the letter has done just that. One comment below notes that "Jeez, tha…

This is, of course, the only safe (for the speaker) way to admit to normals what s/he is. Otherwise it is torches and pitchforks with you people. (Normal humans are far more frightening than any psychopath. ;-)

Re: Letter From A Psychopath

#272

Post by b1daly » Fri, Dec 20, 2013, 11:48 PM UTC

I've sometimes wondered if the presence of psychopaths in powerful organizations leads to sociopathic behavior on the organizations part, even though most members are "normal." I'm thinking of situations like the outlandish behaviors of major investment banks defrauding their customers, knowingly selling them "toxic" mortgage back securities.

A small population of actors, inclined to gain power, and ruthless in conduct forces all members of the community to act in concert, lest they be cast out entirely.

This might also explain the disconnect of an organization like the NSA, made up of mostly decent, sincere people, engagin in profoundly anti-social, if not downright illegal, activities.

Re: Letter From A Psychopath

#273

Post by kansface » Fri, Dec 20, 2013, 11:49 PM UTC

catchaway wrote: post #175

tomstokes wrote: post #92

Perhaps the most fascinating part of this letter is observing people's reactions to it. In the letter, the author goes so far as to admit that s/he is and always will be a psychopath without a sense of guilt or remorse toward others and a keen ability to recognize and exploit weaknesses in others for his/her own gain. Judging by the comments here, the letter has done just that. One comment below notes that "Jeez, tha…

Perhaps the most fascinating part of this response is observing how this has changed the tone of discussion in this thread. It's interesting how the parent tries to downplay his own ability to identify weakness in his readers and manipulate them into thinking of what they found as inspirational as being manipulative. Judging by the comments here, the parent's been pretty successful. One comment below notes that "What…

The op was successful because the analysis was accurate unlike yours.

As I stated below, the article more or less claims the author has magical supper powers. He overcomes the great internal struggle (with some help from the great expert) and ultimately chooses to use his powers for the good of the world.

The comment isn't transformative when the article is taken at face value- self aggrandizing.

Re: Letter From A Psychopath

#274

Post by kansface » Fri, Dec 20, 2013, 11:53 PM UTC

contextual wrote: post #36

kingkawn wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

These are justifications for not attempting to understand and thereby humanize him. These same sort of broad brush strokes have been used against any group of people that are deemed unworthy of being truly seen.

After 50 years of research, that is the understanding of a psychopath. Pathological lying, lack of remorse or guilt, manipulativeness, superficial charm are what make a psychopath a psychopath. You wouldn't pass any of the dozens of psychopath tests available if you lacked these traits, and you certainly wouldn't call yourself a psychopath.

Do you know why psychopaths can't beat the test?

Re: Letter From A Psychopath

#275

Post by kansface » Fri, Dec 20, 2013, 11:57 PM UTC

Yhippa wrote: post #12

At one point in our evolution was there some advantage that being a psychopath conferred?

Behaving in ones best interest to the detriments of society could be quite rewarding for the individual in a number of circumstances- consider competition for food, resources, and mates.

Re: Letter From A Psychopath

#276

Post by JulianRaphael » Sat, Dec 21, 2013, 12:01 AM UTC

I have a very pragmatic view that psychopathic traits are just one specific set of algorithms of the many possible sets of algorithms our personalities can exhibit to connect and interact with other personalities or more generally speaking our environment. Looking at the state of the world, at least a subset of these behavioral algorithms seems to be quite efficient (as the letter shows) and various subsets/traits seem to be very common and even desirable. Obviously the manifestation of the overall set which you would define as "psychopathy" varies from psychopath to psychopath, hence the image of the "cartoon evil serial killers", the "CEO" and many more in between these two. I guess in the end it depends on the balance of influence between three factors: the other sets of algorithms which make up your personality, the personalities you interact with and your environment.

I personally think we should look into what we can learn from this set of behavioral algorithms (the good, the bad and the ugly) and how you can balance it to leverage its benefits while not suffering from its drawbacks. That's at least how I deal with it.

Re: Letter From A Psychopath

#277

Post by contextual » Sat, Dec 21, 2013, 12:08 AM UTC

kansface wrote: post #274

contextual wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

After 50 years of research, that is the understanding of a psychopath. Pathological lying, lack of remorse or guilt, manipulativeness, superficial charm are what make a psychopath a psychopath. You wouldn't pass any of the dozens of psychopath tests available if you lacked these traits, and you certainly wouldn't call yourself a psychopath.

Do you know why psychopaths can't beat the test?

Some of the test questions I've seen aren't really questions. They're scenario based statements designed to uncover the subject's true way of thinking.

I'm sure these tests can be defeated though.

Please keep in mind I'm not a psychologist or expert on the subject.

Re: Letter From A Psychopath

#278

Post by Houshalter » Sat, Dec 21, 2013, 12:22 AM UTC

selmnoo wrote: post #174

throwaway83294 wrote: post #128

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You have no idea. I was "friends" with someone for years, who at the time I didn't know was a psychopath (over time I realized they met literally every item on the psychopathy checklist). The manipulativeness, the ability to lie completely sincerely (I bet a lie detector test would show absolutely nothing), and absolute and utter lack of remorse is terrifying, in a way. The most striking thing, in retrospect, is the…

I'm finding most of these posts to be deeply unsettling. Psychopathy is a mental disorder -- you guys are writing off psychopaths en masse as 'bad people', who cannot contribute to society at all. Consider if the submission piece is genuine: a guy with a mental disorder sought out help to curb any harm he might have otherwise done to others. That's a happy ending isn't it? Be cautious, sure, but let's not just take t…

I know it's not their fault and that they were born with it, but it still disturbs me. They don't have empathy or morality and I would consider that the definition of evil. Someone can still be a bad person through no fault of their own.

Re: Letter From A Psychopath

#279

Post by sliverstorm » Sat, Dec 21, 2013, 12:47 AM UTC

scott_s wrote: post #253

sliverstorm wrote: post #220

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is cruelty to animals part of psychopathy? Or simply a behavior that can develop unchecked due to psychopathy?

I have read the book. The point of that anecdote is that the concept of "cruelty" does not apply to the authors' thinking. We say she was being cruel to the animal, but she does not see it as such. To her, she had a problem: something was in her swimming pool, and it had to be removed from the pool so she could keep it clean. She tried to remove it, but it kept swimming away. So she drowned it, collected it, and clea…

Yes, I already understand all of that. No, you didn't answer my question.

Re: Letter From A Psychopath

#280

Post by sliverstorm » Sat, Dec 21, 2013, 12:49 AM UTC

JVerstry wrote: post #268

sliverstorm wrote: post #158

Earlier quoted context omitted.

this person is characterized by being completely fearless (as is typical of psychopaths) Everyone is afraid of something. Psychopaths are still people. If you believe someone is fearless, it's a safe assumption they either hide their fear (when they feel it) extremely well, or you simply haven't encountered it yet.

No, some people do not experience fear at all. It is not hidden anywhere. As scary as this may seem... lol

There are a rare few people that truly do not experience fear, but they have a damaged amygdala, which is rare and totally unrelated to psychopathy.