Fascinating article. The section about childhood trauma shaping narcissistic leaders lends a bit of sympathetic framing that is interesting, even if I’m not sure I agree. There are plenty of people with traumatic childhoods who grow to be kind, compassionate and empathetic humans. It’s a nature/nurture conversation that is likely never to have satisfying answer.
You are right. We all are damaged in some way and it does not mean each person will react by being narcissistic horrible human beings. But sometimes it only takes one.
Heidi, your discourse on your political views and there development over your life is different from mine but really similar. Almost a yin and yang.
My parents were union supporters. It was nearly sacrilegious to vote republican. The workers were supposed to support candidates that supported them. Left leaning yes but not far left.
History tells us that this right/left dichotomy has led to more wars than just about anything in history. There has got to be a better metaphor. You may not know but my son was a college intern for the Clinton White House. He also worked in the Old Federal Building across from the White House during one of the terms of president Obama.
So about 10 years ago I came up with a different paradigm. Take a circle. Divide it 4 equal quarters. Fill it up with water to the middle. If you are republican you can be acceptable until underwater. Same for democrats.
Note if you reach the bottom of the circle you are evil. On the bottom left it is like Stalin. On the bottom right it is Hitler. Strive for the top of the circle. Neither “let them eat cake “ nor “kill all Jews or gays or Gypsies” will ever be acceptable.
My dad was very pro-union and was part of the Ironworkers Union his entire career. Even worked as the Business Agent for a while. I wonder how he navigated that as such a staunch Republican supporter.
I didn’t know that about your son. I would love to hear his stories and perspective from his time there. That would be a fantastic dinner party! :) Someday, right?
Your quadrant circle imagery is really great. In my mind I see more of a series of Venn diagrams where all the viewpoints overlap when they get to the points of extreme altruism or extreme isolating ideologies. At this point in my journey I tend to vote based on the person and their individual alliances and express bias. Which also means if I can’t get enough information? I leave it blank. My conscience is happier with silence than the moral weight of voting for an unknown. I’m also a bit of a contrarian and if EVERYONE says so? I automatically refuse.
I thought he was Union. Uncle LeRoy was also an Ironworker but staunchly Democratic. I think it depends on how deeply Evangelical you consider yourself. Clearly the Republican party was and is anti union.
I like your idea of a dinner party to exchange views. I did a take logic class in college. I love Venn diagrams. But I also ascribe to the concept of Occum’s Razor. Simplify your choices before deciding.
You know I like our discussions because it is similar to old fashioned mail correspondence. At least until your Substack explodes.
Here is a deep dive link.
https://share.newsbreak.com/dx5sdp2j
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Fascinating article. The section about childhood trauma shaping narcissistic leaders lends a bit of sympathetic framing that is interesting, even if I’m not sure I agree. There are plenty of people with traumatic childhoods who grow to be kind, compassionate and empathetic humans. It’s a nature/nurture conversation that is likely never to have satisfying answer.
You are right. We all are damaged in some way and it does not mean each person will react by being narcissistic horrible human beings. But sometimes it only takes one.
Heidi, your discourse on your political views and there development over your life is different from mine but really similar. Almost a yin and yang.
My parents were union supporters. It was nearly sacrilegious to vote republican. The workers were supposed to support candidates that supported them. Left leaning yes but not far left.
History tells us that this right/left dichotomy has led to more wars than just about anything in history. There has got to be a better metaphor. You may not know but my son was a college intern for the Clinton White House. He also worked in the Old Federal Building across from the White House during one of the terms of president Obama.
So about 10 years ago I came up with a different paradigm. Take a circle. Divide it 4 equal quarters. Fill it up with water to the middle. If you are republican you can be acceptable until underwater. Same for democrats.
Note if you reach the bottom of the circle you are evil. On the bottom left it is like Stalin. On the bottom right it is Hitler. Strive for the top of the circle. Neither “let them eat cake “ nor “kill all Jews or gays or Gypsies” will ever be acceptable.
My dad was very pro-union and was part of the Ironworkers Union his entire career. Even worked as the Business Agent for a while. I wonder how he navigated that as such a staunch Republican supporter.
I didn’t know that about your son. I would love to hear his stories and perspective from his time there. That would be a fantastic dinner party! :) Someday, right?
Your quadrant circle imagery is really great. In my mind I see more of a series of Venn diagrams where all the viewpoints overlap when they get to the points of extreme altruism or extreme isolating ideologies. At this point in my journey I tend to vote based on the person and their individual alliances and express bias. Which also means if I can’t get enough information? I leave it blank. My conscience is happier with silence than the moral weight of voting for an unknown. I’m also a bit of a contrarian and if EVERYONE says so? I automatically refuse.
I thought he was Union. Uncle LeRoy was also an Ironworker but staunchly Democratic. I think it depends on how deeply Evangelical you consider yourself. Clearly the Republican party was and is anti union.
I like your idea of a dinner party to exchange views. I did a take logic class in college. I love Venn diagrams. But I also ascribe to the concept of Occum’s Razor. Simplify your choices before deciding.
You know I like our discussions because it is similar to old fashioned mail correspondence. At least until your Substack explodes.