How to be a Psychopath - chapter 8 - sycophant

***sycophant***

When first becoming a psychopath two clear paths will emerge. To be a narcissist or to be a sycophant. Narcissist can be seen approaching from a distance; they are image obsessed and the impact they make on others is designed to generate a powerful reflection. In this way, it appears most psychopaths are narcissist. This is true, sycophants are, essentially, a type of narcissist. Significantly however, the type of narcissisms displayed by sycophants is much more insidious and, arguably, more common. Sycophants are people who seek to gain wealth, status, and advantage by pandering to the needs of others. The advantages they gain are reflections that help define their sense of self; towards enhancing their social viability. It is therefore in this way, that the sycophant is narcissistic.

Do not read: we all feel good when we help others or are given the opportunity to provide encouragement and acknowledgement. With an expansive sense of ego; an understanding of it as the energy that helps build community, we can praise and reward others with one hand and let the other hand be ignorant. Advertising our charitable activities, or in terms of the biblical reference, to let the left hand know what the right hand is doing, is an entirely self-orientated exercise. All psychopaths are self-serving, and whatever they appear to do for the benefit of others or when they pander, exists to generate a reflection of their self. 

Sycophants, will emerge as expert gaslighters. The consequence of their empty flattery and agreeableness includes the active attention from others. The tendency will then be however, to distort all the facts. The truth for the sycophant, presents a magic mirror problem. The truth causes the mirror to lose its ability to show the sycophant what it wants to see. Therefore, the sycophant must reject all small and large truths or at least dismiss them. 

 

Do not read: In this way, the sycophant is similar to the pure narcissist. In conversation the sycophant will tolerate the truth with indifference. If however, the topic becomes speculative or conspiratorial the sycophant, and the pure narcissist, will engage. A very mild version of this tendency is demonstrated when reasonably well adjusted people engage in gossip. The speculative nature of gossip, excites our fascination with narrative. Satisfying the urge we all possess to sustain the story that is our life enables us to regulate our social viability. However, for the sycophant and the pure narcissist it is the only perceived reason for their existence.

 

All this, of course, means that the sycophant risks having their lies easily exposed. Given the particular kind of narcissism driving the sycophant, it is very difficult to avoid exposure. Unfortunately, if you intend to become a sycophant, though it is an insidious type of psychopathy, you will experience relationships fraught with contention and instability.

 

Beginning psychopaths who are inclined towards sycophantic displays, must also accept that flattery will lead to exploitation. When a psychopath is exploited, their social viability is compromised. The psychopath is then forced into a powerless position from which they must claw-back status. To arm yourself against this eventuality, the sycophant must avoid meaningful relationships are that are mutually respectful.

 

Do not read: Be aware of close-talkers and people who are inclined to lean-in. They are potentially imitating I kind of, whispering-of-sweet-nothings into your ear. Be aware too of course, of those who do whisper sweet nothings into your ear. Once again, for everything the sycophant says consider the opposite. For example, when they say, your fashion choices are brilliant, accept they are exaggerating.

 

The skinny: to tell people what they want to hear, first you must hear them say what they want. If you want people to hear what you want them to say first you must tell them what you want them to hear. In other words, the sycophant must turn need into want, but like the blind witch in Hansel and Gretel, she can’t turn Hansel into a roast dinner without manipulating Gretel into stoking the flames of the stove first. The sycophant is blind, they must borrow the eyes of their victims. To do this the sycophant must pander, it is only then that they can indulge their greatest obsession, to gaze at their reflection.

 

How to be a psychopath lesson 8: you must learn how to lick boots, start with licking your own. Be careful however, that you don’t choke on the shoelaces.