Another interesting feature I have noticed is if you look at one of these individuals and their martial break-up history. It can be an interesting timeline as to when some really became like 'overly sharpened' pencils and more extremist/ Did the cart come before the horse, or the horse before the cart -- we'll never know of course. Many times there is a close timeline.
I am certain from my teaching days of High School English and social studies that Donald Trump is dyslexic, and one of the kids who was teased a lot, perhaps in elementary school. All the boys who were dyslexic in my classes were angry, assertive, and even defiant/oppositional when asked to do something minor (like take a test or just be quiet during it). The girls were not that way. Trump was kicked out of 8th grade middle school for kicking an art teacher, the reason he wound up in a private military school. A person on SNL said he could not read the script in a table reading for the show. Thus, a sense of bravado to prove "I'm smart", cruelty to others, violence is okay, calling people names is fine. Interesting if a lot of our autocratic leaders over history had learning disabilities, or ADHD. Trump has oppositional-defiance disorder in my estimation, and is also obsessive-compulsive, another big problem (obsessed with Obama/Hillary for a number of years).
One bullied who grew up to be a bully. Back then there no school support services to help bolster individuals with learning difficulties. I remember reading about the SNL-skit and remember how they said he never read the daily security briefings. (no words to describe the horror of that). On top of that Trump had a critical, demanding father. Trump's psychological defenses must be a foot thick. Regardless, Trump-ism must be defeated, it's medieval.
Agree with all. I'm surprised how little the media knows about learning disabilities. Reporters surely do not hang out with teachers, who would enlighten them. Remediation is much better these days for dyslexics, but non-existent in Trump's elementary school years.
Agree too about media attention. From a societal point, since it effects 20-25% of the population to varying degrees, it also affects adult employment and employment continuation. When you look at even crime rates, much of this could be due to the fact it is hard for the dyslexic to fake-it every day to maintain employment. It's an exhausting lifestyle. Employers are not educated. We have kept learning differences locked up within the classroom. Our society can advance further on this subject and improve many more lives.
Thank you for this fine interview with Gideon on his new book. All of society needs to brush up on this personality type, as well as civic lessons in types of governance. And then connect the dots. Narcissists can be un-done. At the end of the day, it's helpful to remember that they are actually more fragile than the average person. They are the fragile thin vase on the edge of the shelf, ready to fall. They are full of empty bluster. It's their success at pulling in like a magnet, weaker-types to create a strong orbit of loyalty. Breaking the orbit, breaks the narcissist's gripe and the narcissist melts like the wicked witch of the west -- the orbit then flounders. How do we break the rings of the orbit? (image: Saturn's rings)
Another analogy is that of the web of a spider. You can eliminate the spider, or eliminate his/her web. We try so hard to eliminate the spider, we equally could focus on untangling and unsnarling the web of followers to cut off the spider; unknotting the antique lace tablecloth that snarled up. You would be strategic and gentle in planning how to do that, and so we must untangle the tablecloth to its original beauty.
I'm no fan of Trump but I've never understood why people equate him with dictators (strongmen). Trump working diplomatically with dictators to establish better relationships between the U.S. and other countries does not mean that Trump is a dictator. It's the Dems and the media (same thing) who created the "Trump is in bed with the dictators" story line. This interview is just more piffle designed to support that narrative.
The current regime in the U.S. is acting more like a strongman than Trump did (I say "current regime" instead of Biden because it's clear Biden is not the one calling the shots) with their new Ministry of Truth, I mean Disinformation Governance Board.
Thank you Ruth for this interview with Gideon Rachman. I finished reading your book Strongmen...the day before the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Since then, one of the items I've been puzzled by is the 'acceptance' of these "leaders" by the general populace. In a Globe & Mail opinion piece on Saturday, 07 May, Miguel Syjuco (The last gasp of Philippine demoncracy--great piece!) frames this acceptance as a choice between "burdensome democracy versus comforting authoritarianism". Sigh!
Right, got to work harder than ever before and vote in numbers like never before. Losing women's reproductive rights, marriage equality rights contraception etc , should energize the Democratic base.
We can “vote harder” all we want but if our donor owned, out-to-lunch, living in the past, incompetent politicians and our pathetically led, lackluster DOJ do nothing to face and actively work against the Republican Fascist Party’s takeover then our voting “harder and smarter” won’t do a damn thing. That trump is allowed to continue having rallies where he still foments violence against our government AND that he, nor any of the planners & funders of Jan 6th, have not been charged with sedition and treason is an absolute miscarriage of justice and tells us all exactly what is coming.
The seeds of its own destruction were built in from it's inception. Our system and it's democracy are flawed with structural problems. Our state voting systems are failing to protect themselves from subversion because of partisan politics and we have an electoral college, which allows the candidate with the fewest votes to win. This is obviously anathema to any notion of representative democracy I can think of. Second we do not punish and hold accountable at least not yet those responsible for inciting insurrection and plotting sedition to overthrow the government in a failed coup attempt.
Agree, Gary. Especially because it's a midterm . . . people are usually numb and tuned out to that. Gotta work to make that fire come alive. Should come up with slogan for midterms 'Midterms 2022 for you'
According to Plato: "Dictatorship naturally arises out of democracy, and the most aggravated form of tyranny and slavery out of the most extreme liberty.'
I am not surprised that the white nationalist/alt-right movement is promoting Plato's The Republic. Although, I confess I would be surprised if more than a handful of them actually read the book.
So true. Regarding the reading, I agree. I am the mother of a dyslexic, so I say this with care. People should dive deeper and read books if possible. Just read, if you are able. The current climate of twitter and social media does not dive deep enough into topics. It's skimming of topics. It's like airplane writing across the sky. There is no depth of thought. To the dyslexic population, which I am empathic towards, they conceive deeper thought through sophisticated graphics, videos, well-thought out political comics -- that remarkable link complex topics so well. Political comics generate laughter to share and therefore opens the door to conversations among people. Well done humor is such a vehicle.
Who am I to argue with Plato, but I would say, "Dictatorship naturally arises out of greed, and the most aggravated form of tyranny and slavery out of the most extreme greed."
Agree. Greed begets greed, that is the underlying fire to extinguish or contain. Right now, it's a wildfire with those that could be bent to lawlessness to achieve that next-new-car syndrome. The temperature all around needs to come down.
As society, we have lost the moral compass that governed past generations.
Informative & interesting interview. Thank you.
Another interesting feature I have noticed is if you look at one of these individuals and their martial break-up history. It can be an interesting timeline as to when some really became like 'overly sharpened' pencils and more extremist/ Did the cart come before the horse, or the horse before the cart -- we'll never know of course. Many times there is a close timeline.
I am certain from my teaching days of High School English and social studies that Donald Trump is dyslexic, and one of the kids who was teased a lot, perhaps in elementary school. All the boys who were dyslexic in my classes were angry, assertive, and even defiant/oppositional when asked to do something minor (like take a test or just be quiet during it). The girls were not that way. Trump was kicked out of 8th grade middle school for kicking an art teacher, the reason he wound up in a private military school. A person on SNL said he could not read the script in a table reading for the show. Thus, a sense of bravado to prove "I'm smart", cruelty to others, violence is okay, calling people names is fine. Interesting if a lot of our autocratic leaders over history had learning disabilities, or ADHD. Trump has oppositional-defiance disorder in my estimation, and is also obsessive-compulsive, another big problem (obsessed with Obama/Hillary for a number of years).
One bullied who grew up to be a bully. Back then there no school support services to help bolster individuals with learning difficulties. I remember reading about the SNL-skit and remember how they said he never read the daily security briefings. (no words to describe the horror of that). On top of that Trump had a critical, demanding father. Trump's psychological defenses must be a foot thick. Regardless, Trump-ism must be defeated, it's medieval.
Agree with all. I'm surprised how little the media knows about learning disabilities. Reporters surely do not hang out with teachers, who would enlighten them. Remediation is much better these days for dyslexics, but non-existent in Trump's elementary school years.
Agree too about media attention. From a societal point, since it effects 20-25% of the population to varying degrees, it also affects adult employment and employment continuation. When you look at even crime rates, much of this could be due to the fact it is hard for the dyslexic to fake-it every day to maintain employment. It's an exhausting lifestyle. Employers are not educated. We have kept learning differences locked up within the classroom. Our society can advance further on this subject and improve many more lives.
Thank you for this fine interview with Gideon on his new book. All of society needs to brush up on this personality type, as well as civic lessons in types of governance. And then connect the dots. Narcissists can be un-done. At the end of the day, it's helpful to remember that they are actually more fragile than the average person. They are the fragile thin vase on the edge of the shelf, ready to fall. They are full of empty bluster. It's their success at pulling in like a magnet, weaker-types to create a strong orbit of loyalty. Breaking the orbit, breaks the narcissist's gripe and the narcissist melts like the wicked witch of the west -- the orbit then flounders. How do we break the rings of the orbit? (image: Saturn's rings)
Another analogy is that of the web of a spider. You can eliminate the spider, or eliminate his/her web. We try so hard to eliminate the spider, we equally could focus on untangling and unsnarling the web of followers to cut off the spider; unknotting the antique lace tablecloth that snarled up. You would be strategic and gentle in planning how to do that, and so we must untangle the tablecloth to its original beauty.
I'm no fan of Trump but I've never understood why people equate him with dictators (strongmen). Trump working diplomatically with dictators to establish better relationships between the U.S. and other countries does not mean that Trump is a dictator. It's the Dems and the media (same thing) who created the "Trump is in bed with the dictators" story line. This interview is just more piffle designed to support that narrative.
The current regime in the U.S. is acting more like a strongman than Trump did (I say "current regime" instead of Biden because it's clear Biden is not the one calling the shots) with their new Ministry of Truth, I mean Disinformation Governance Board.
Yes obviously, Cynicon, you don’t understand why people equate (Trump) with dictators.
Thank you Ruth for this interview with Gideon Rachman. I finished reading your book Strongmen...the day before the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Since then, one of the items I've been puzzled by is the 'acceptance' of these "leaders" by the general populace. In a Globe & Mail opinion piece on Saturday, 07 May, Miguel Syjuco (The last gasp of Philippine demoncracy--great piece!) frames this acceptance as a choice between "burdensome democracy versus comforting authoritarianism". Sigh!
"But it could have easily gone the other way. And I think it could still, I'm afraid." GR.
Sadly, I couldn't agree more.
Agree, but we are fortunate to know we are the fence-post, and we can still work and influence before November.
Right, got to work harder than ever before and vote in numbers like never before. Losing women's reproductive rights, marriage equality rights contraception etc , should energize the Democratic base.
We can “vote harder” all we want but if our donor owned, out-to-lunch, living in the past, incompetent politicians and our pathetically led, lackluster DOJ do nothing to face and actively work against the Republican Fascist Party’s takeover then our voting “harder and smarter” won’t do a damn thing. That trump is allowed to continue having rallies where he still foments violence against our government AND that he, nor any of the planners & funders of Jan 6th, have not been charged with sedition and treason is an absolute miscarriage of justice and tells us all exactly what is coming.
The seeds of its own destruction were built in from it's inception. Our system and it's democracy are flawed with structural problems. Our state voting systems are failing to protect themselves from subversion because of partisan politics and we have an electoral college, which allows the candidate with the fewest votes to win. This is obviously anathema to any notion of representative democracy I can think of. Second we do not punish and hold accountable at least not yet those responsible for inciting insurrection and plotting sedition to overthrow the government in a failed coup attempt.
Exactly. To everything you noted.
Agree, Gary. Especially because it's a midterm . . . people are usually numb and tuned out to that. Gotta work to make that fire come alive. Should come up with slogan for midterms 'Midterms 2022 for you'
Geezus! Democracy hangs by a thread.
It always does.
According to Plato: "Dictatorship naturally arises out of democracy, and the most aggravated form of tyranny and slavery out of the most extreme liberty.'
I am not surprised that the white nationalist/alt-right movement is promoting Plato's The Republic. Although, I confess I would be surprised if more than a handful of them actually read the book.
So true. Regarding the reading, I agree. I am the mother of a dyslexic, so I say this with care. People should dive deeper and read books if possible. Just read, if you are able. The current climate of twitter and social media does not dive deep enough into topics. It's skimming of topics. It's like airplane writing across the sky. There is no depth of thought. To the dyslexic population, which I am empathic towards, they conceive deeper thought through sophisticated graphics, videos, well-thought out political comics -- that remarkable link complex topics so well. Political comics generate laughter to share and therefore opens the door to conversations among people. Well done humor is such a vehicle.
Who am I to argue with Plato, but I would say, "Dictatorship naturally arises out of greed, and the most aggravated form of tyranny and slavery out of the most extreme greed."
Agree. Greed begets greed, that is the underlying fire to extinguish or contain. Right now, it's a wildfire with those that could be bent to lawlessness to achieve that next-new-car syndrome. The temperature all around needs to come down.
As society, we have lost the moral compass that governed past generations.