Thank you so much for this post. Insofar as it can be done in fewer than 600 words, you've just clearly articulated my own personal politics, and the process of my thinking on some of these things. When we're outsiders to the larger stream (as all of us are who post in a space like this!), it's always nice to find another member of the tribe, so to speak. ?
I was listening to a Democracy Now! broadcast earlier today, actually, and it had me thinking about the very crossover you mentioned. If the science of advertising has proved anything, it's that virtually no one is impervious to influence. And "influence" is a science.
It's never been more important for progressive-minded people (and everyone else) to exercise critical thinking. To do that well, we need to remember to get out of our silos whenever we can, in order to acquire deeper understanding about other ways of thinking, and to exercise greater self-awareness in relation.
I'm reminded of a study taught to early students of social psychology. If I remember it right, the study involved groups of kittens that were raised exclusively in rounded spaces, with no exposure to corners or hard edges. At a certain age, the kittens were dropped into an ordinary room with corners and furniture with edges, but were completely unable to see them. They could navigate rounded table legs, but repeatedly bumped into corners. I'd have to read about it again, but I seem to recall there being a window of opportunity, after which these kittens could never learn to see corners.
I'm always a little concerned about whether or not I've exposed myself to a great enough biodiversity of ideas so that I don't lose the capacity to see what's right in front of my face. The internet was going to be the great connector (and I believe it eventually will be), but in many ways, we're primarily using it to further divisions. And those divisions are being used to exploit and influence us. It's still early days in the grand scheme, but even that fact benefits the powerful.
Replying to your post in the other thread here:
I don't know if you care much about astrology, but we're on the verge of a powerful stellium in Virgo (where several planets all converge in the sign at once). The energetic geometry of these planets with others in the sky right now are collectively forming a grand cross, which is an INTENSE energy to say the least, and not an especially frequent phenomenon. It's important and necessary for our country that this is happening now. But until it passes (after about the first week of Sept, if I recall correctly), we're all going to be feeling a building of tension and potentially even anxiety.
During this period, I suspect that Trump is going to absolutely lose his ever-loving mind (what's left of it), so be prepared for that. This news about his decision to keep migrant children detained permanently—and about a dozen other things that could feel like swords through the heart—are manifestations of this astrological energy. But they WILL pass. Like a huge release valve being switched, we'll feel that collective tension whooshing out early September. And that'll come sooner than it seems, promise.
I'd like to learn more about astrology, but it seems very overwhelming. I was born on August 23rd, at 12:48am, so I believe that makes me a Leo, although I've also seen it as a Virgo.
I can't seem to wrap my mind around the fact that not only am I affected by the energy of other people, but also the planets? I just know my gravestone will say "Death due to Mercury Retrograde."
You're a cusp baby, born straddling the signs. August 23rd kicks off Virgo, but that early in the morning, your chart might show you as a Leo. Depends on where you were born. Either way, no doubt this stellium in Virgo (and the grand cross it's about to form in the sky) is having a particular impact on you.
Everything is fractal in our holographic cosmos, and yeah, that kind of complexity is impossible to fathom. But I wouldn't worry about the stars. And I'm laughing at your epitaph (perfect!) but I gotta say it: definitely don't worry about Mercury Retrograde. In my experience, it's a beneficial and necessary energy. Mercury Rx slows everything d o w n and gives us needed time to process and reconsolidate the hiccups of the noosphere, which moves entirely too fast anyway.
People just like a reason to freak out. ?
If you were born on August 23, you need to know the time of your birth in order to see where the sun was. I am a September 23, on the cusp of Virgo/Libra, but my sign is Libra.
As far as Trump losing his mind, I believe this joining of Virgo has already accomplished that, given that he has declared himself The Chosen One and The Second Coming (I think - I've blocked it out). And to think he's running our country and all anybody can say is vote in 2020. Something needs to be done long before then.
@suspira44 Absolutely agreed. It's painful.
And just downright bizarre (as if we hadn't already maxed his credit on that score).
As my granny might have said about him: "The wheels might still be turnin', but the hamster's officially dead."
I see the "second coming of God" thing a little differently. Trump is badly losing in the polls he sp deeply cares about. He is also fighting for his freedom, as they will lock him up(pun intended), if he loses.
Here is my line of thinking. He was elected primarily by the evangelical vote. They are still his base but also starting to waver a bit from the "god damn" quotes at his rallys. They initially voted for him because they believe he was sent from God and will bring about the rapture. Essentially they see him as either the antichrist, or a prelude to it. The antichrist, in biblical lore, claims to be the second coming of Christ or God himself(depending on which interpretstion you go by), so him claiming this is a move to reinforce the evangelical beliefs that got him here. As messed up as it sounds, I truly believe that he is now trying to parade as the antichrist to get votes......and it will work to some extent.
I really cant believe I wrote that. WTF has this world come to?
I agree, with a little added thought. He won because of evangelicals and people who were too apathetic to vote because they thought Hillary had it in the bag, plus Russia. He knows he's losing support, and constantly needs to amp things up to get more attention. The economy has him freaked out. Does he believe he's God. Nah, but he just thinks it's something to say that'll get him attention. As Lawrence wrote a few times already, he's sliding down a hill. He's losing his power.
Heck, his tapping into being the chosen one and officially offering to buy Greenland was the absolute highlight of my day. I needed a really big laugh.
When I learned that Pence starred in a video that was circulating throughout Evangelical churches all over the U.S. pre-election hinting if not already predicting Trump as the chosen one, I knew my Evangelical friends would get on the Trump wagon big time. He's just reminding the stray sheep that the sheep in wolf's clothing was really and truly chosen and not to forget it.
He's officially a very smart sociopath in my mind-- playing his fiddle (deliberately I might add) and howling, as he pulls us all into his crazies, distracts us from what he and his tribal dynasty are really trying to do and go, while be serves his role and purpose at the center of it all) as the world begins its ascent into madness, destruction and hopefully some awesomely good rebirth as we all continue our endless, mindless running around all of our lemming/gerbil/hamster/karma wheels.
Some days we're all crazy ?
I just make my sign of the Einsteinian cross and pray for inner peace and a gentler flow after the stars align in December-- and things get shaken not stirred big time!
While I know how cunning and calculating he can be, I believe he's also descending into a deeper madness. I think he's heard this for so long from his evangelical base, that he's begun to believe he is the Chosen One. His pathological, malignant narcissism has metastasized into a messiah complex. I shudder to imagine what goes on behind those closed doors of the WH.
Speaking of which: when his butt is finally booted out of there, I suggest that we get together and do a cleansing and healing meditation of the WH. I've already purchased my sage and candle.
Absolutely, deeper and deeper.
Hmmmmm, wonder who he will choose to write his next autobiography. Art of the Deal Redux of All Time ?
Just a question, if he thinks he is the chosen one do you think he believes himself to be Jesus' brother? He now wants to change the Constitution by executive order. How dumb can he be? I realize this is all a stall tactic. He knows if he is booted out of office he will be arrested by the State of NY for al knd of criminal charges. I truly believe he thinks he is being smart and authoritative not realizing he is being seen as demented by anyone who is the least bit sane!
Newsweek had written an article about Trump mental state. The psychiatrist who already sounded the alarm in 2017 now says
He told MSNBC that Trump had "a fundamental need to be all-powerful and all loved and can't stand challenges."
"He can't stand anything that disagrees with him, and the more you challenge him, the more unhinged he becomes, the more paranoid, and the more violent, potentially," Dodes said
He doesn't really love anyone except himself. That's not a slur, that's a psychological fact. People like him are about him. If he's not useful to him, he stops loving him. That's part of the essential emptiness of Donald Trump. He doesn't have real relationships with people." (Something his followers don’t see)
There's something fundamentally different about him from normal people. It's a psychotic-like state. The more you press him, the more you see how disorganized and empty he is. The more he flies into a disorganized rage.
"He thinks of himself as a dictator, and it's all him and no one else really matters," Dodes told MSNBC host Lawrence O'Donnell.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.newsweek.com/trump-mental-illness-king-israel-msnbc-1455644%3famp=1
@michele-b-here-in-the-forum
Not only was it funny him suggesting he was interested in buying Greenland but also thinking that master of the art of the deal can actually talk Denmark into selling it. He got his feeling hurt when they said no. Just like a child he cancelled his trip there. Is that all you have to do to get him to not visit.
I don't think Trump believes he is the chosen one. I think he believes people are stupid and easily fooled and he's fooled them. He's a malignant narcissist who can't stand any kind of criticism or any view that is not his own, but that's not the same as him believing he's the son of god or Jesus' brother.
He believes he is very special and can get away with anything and has total entitlement to anything he wants. He is a megalomaniac and a narcissist, and has a number of personality pathologies.
But I don't think he believes in God or Jesus. I don't think he's religious or spiritual.
He's a hedonist and a narcissist, and if he ever thinks about spiritual matters, I feel he's say he's an atheist.
I dont think this "chosen one" move is derived from his insanity. If he had just said it, maybe, but by looking to the "heavens" when saying it, Im convinced it is calculated. It probably was a move suggested by someone else(Pence, Miller) but no way does a godless narcissistic man looks upward making that statement unless its thought out. That is admitting there is something out there greater than he, and Trump wpuld never admit that unless it was part of a plan.
Chiming in to say i’m not sure id call the occupant of the oval office smart in any sense.
He's a narcissist and likely has antisocial personality disorder. That means highly skilled manipulation. Our entire country is feeling that manipulation. Its confusing and scary, and its supposed to be, with these types of people. He only thinks about himself and acts on impulse. His worst fear is others seeing his “true self”. It is all a mirror to prop up his very fragile ego. Its a miserable way to live, but textbook NPD. He does not play chess or think long term politically. He just “does”. If you know about or have spent time around people with these PD’s, it becomes all that more clear. Its not just twitter talk or something you read in an op-ed, once you see people with these personality disorders—- you get it. It is him. And its serious. There isn't too much thought or well thought out planning.
Someone called him the king of israel and he’s embellishing it in his head because it makes him feel special . He wants to be a king so badly, he loves it. The “chosen one” is just him relishing in his own delusions of grandeur on national television. Do i think he actually believes hes the chosen one? Probably not in the way we mean it. He probably doesnt think hes a biblical entity- he does not care about god or religion, or spirituality. He cares about himself. Anything that comes to him- people, opinions, things, jobs- it is all a means to an end to satisfy his ego. He just likes the way “chosen one” sounds. And yes, he does believe he is that important, he believes he and only he can save america (not that he cares a shred about america or its people apart from what they can provide him) and he wants to act and think like he is above everybody. With NPD. Its a combination of believing youre above everyone, while also deep down having the opposite of that be your biggest fear- its based on extreme insecurity and a desire to bury that as drastically as possible.
I also believe he likes messing with people. He likes the drama of saying it, and is probably aware of how media will react. Thats the manipulation i was talking about. But a genius? No. Did he plan it out? Maybe but probably not. Did he look up to the sky to mock it in some sadistic way because he knew it would drive people crazy? That could also be. I think he likes the way it sounds. He does believe he is he chosen one .. just not in the ways we’d think. He does believe he is that special though.
furthermore, im 98% sure he has dementia. Maybe 2nd or 3rd stage. He is not well. It has been well documented that many doctors and psychiatrists all believe this to be the case, and warn how dire it is. Im a mental health professional, there is no question about it for me. His father also had Alzheimer's. I would suggest reading up on it. People make jokes and make fun of him for this, but i think its actually the most alarming aspect of the presidency right now.
Really interesting thread going about T's mental state. We've never encountered anything like this before, and it's scary as hell. I agree with sagetarotpisces' observation that T believes he is the "chosen one", but not in the way that we mean it. He's probably been basking in that thought ever since his evangelical base has been claiming it, which really began when he announced he was running. But I also believe that something else is going on with him. It could very well be Alzheimer's, but we wouldn't know for sure without a thorough neuropsychological evaluation. My mother passed away from Alzheimer’s, and she had such an extensive test at Johns Hopkins in the early stages of her disease. I know that over a year ago T had that simple, 10-minute cognitive screening which purportedly ruled out full-blown dementia, but not early stage. It’s now more than a year later and he’s gotten worse with his disordered speech and deteriorating language skills, among other things.
I am curious about how NPD originates. Is it genetic? A result of trauma? Or a combination of factors?
The 38 most bizarre lines from Donald Trump's wild impromptu news conference.
My favorite is the bit about Greenland..