The Technology We Need Most

Old Bathos
Old Bathos
31171115
 

Even more than new energy sources, America needs less destructive ways for wealthy white narcissists to feel good about themselves.  We are embarked on disastrous energy policies that are literally all cost and no climate gain.  We do that so white narcissists can feel morally superior for Saving the Planet.  We let criminals out of jail, let the homeless degrade downtowns, destroy universities with DEI, insanely pretend that “male” and “female” are optional labels, and do all of that so that white narcissists can get a buzz for being compassionate, antiracist, non-[whatever]-phobic and generally feeling like a transcendent being.

We let them dictate COVID policy. They still feel proud of themselves because of their self-perception of being sciency and noble despite getting literally everything wrong and causing horrible damage.

Every major current policy or social disaster is the result of efforts to make white narcissists feel good about themselves.  “Antiracism” may be completely condescending, irrational, and a net harm to black and brown people, but damn if it doesn’t make white narcissists (and white narcissistic-adjacent POCs) feel good.

Can we build a theme park or a sensory immersion experience or maybe deploy a large cadre of butt-kissing professional esteem polishers?  Maybe tell them they are so special, so much better the world can never measure up, so leave the world alone.  Anything other than letting twits do policy. The need for this innovation could not be more pressing.

Published in General
Join Ricochet!
This post was promoted to the Main Feed by a Ricochet Editor at the recommendation of Ricochet members. Like this post? Want to comment? Join Ricochet’s community of conservatives and be part of the conversation. Join Ricochet for Free.

There are 31 comments.

Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.
Join Ricochet
  1. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator
    10:22 PM EDT ⋅ May 4, 2023

    Old Bathos (View Comment):

    The Reticulator (View Comment):

    Old Bathos (View Comment):
    Obviously, there is a hell of a lot of subjectivity in the preceding. But how exactly would one empirically test the degree and role of narcissism? What studies could have predicted the rise of Hitler, Robin DiAngelo or Greta Thunberg?

    I don’t think we need to predict the rise of individuals in order to evaluate your hypothesis, which seems to me more about a cultural/political phenomenon. I think it would be more promising to look into what’s been already done in the way of research on self-esteem to help us think about what researchers have left out and what needs to be done. But I wish someone else would do it. I like learning anthropology to help me understand historical cultural phenomena, even though I’ve never had so much as a single course in the subject, and any topic in anthropology is surrounded by leftists of the activist kind. But sociology and/or psychology? I wish somebody else would do that one. It would take a strong stomach and in my old age I’m getting to be more of a wuss.

    Jonathan Haidt has done wonderful work in that area. I read both Coddling of the American Mind and The Righteous Mind. A non-woke conventional liberal , he is scrupulously honest about acknowledging that outlook and rigorous in his loyalty to empirical method. I can recommend without reservation.

     

    I’ve certainly heard of Haidt, but haven’t read any of his work. I’ve ordered the two books now. Thx.

    • #31
Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.
Join Ricochet