29 Comments

I’m just so distressed that trump followers don’t see right through him. They don’t even understand that this is a destructive emotional mental condition!

I think we need to research stupidity.

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Aug 5·edited Aug 5

I have some theories about Wounded Empathy that seem to apply; people who were born with empathy, but experienced trauma/abuse as children (the real grooming that narcissists do to their children) are the most susceptible.

Also, read the E-Book (about 2000) at "TheAuthoritarians.org". He also wrote a Trump one more recently, but the first one has the research that explains it all. @SAMRAY this is for you, too.

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Aug 5Liked by Sam Ray

I would love for this to be edited down to a 500 word OpEd that could be sent out to the papers.

Projection is not a secret (but like you said, except for those weaponizing it, the others can hardly even see they are doing it), so maximizing the spread of this cheat code might be useful?

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author

I’m all for the idea Flow if someone wants to edit it down & send it out after I review it to make sure meanings are not unknowingly subtly changed.

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Not offering to edit this down, leave to an expert, but more will read it if it’s boiled down to “bullet points” because that’s how most Americans read these days. Unfortunately.

Your writings are really valuable in understanding how this has infiltrated the Trump era political climate.

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Very interesting article which I’m learning from - and admitting that I have to finish reading it. It’s long, but a tightly edited version needs to be put out there, beyond Substack!

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author

I certain miss having an editor to reel me in but putting psychological jargon into the common tongue also does take a lot more words to say usefully.

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Aug 5Liked by Sam Ray

I don't know if I'm the one (one reason for suggesting is that the wordiness was overwhelming), and I'm prepping for a house tenting, but I may give it a try next week...; you could help by Replying to this Reply, so I have a reminder in my Activity (sorry, brain/memory challenges).

Meanwhile, do you ever read @JimStewartson 's Mind Wars? Essential for you, I might think.

Oh, and see my reply to Gundy Walton with the e-book link.

Both very valuable resources.

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author

Apologies, you asked about Jim & Heidi a week+ ago when I was writing Dark Kamala, so it got it buried a bit. I was actually on Jim’s zoom 2 weeks ago where we talked a bit & he kindly thanked me for my work, which sent a fair amount of his subs my way.

Heidi was there too. I put a compliment from her in the CNI “about” section a year ago. Jim & I are mutuals but we don’t cross paths too often.

I like what they do a lot but from my perspective, CNI is more psychology while they are more deep diving into the darkness investigative journalists.

Ergo, I have a few dozen CNI pieces I’d like to finish before the election, so if anyone wants me to look at or do something, it will need to be something pretty amazing to take me of that path.

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Aug 9Liked by Sam Ray

Glad to hear you know of each others' work. That's all.

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Aug 1Liked by Sam Ray

“If one is not at least mentally and strategically prepared for every possible narcissistic rage response that can be unleashed upon you, trying to implement anything against a narcissist, sociopath or psychopath can massively backfire into something far worse.”

Herein lies the challenge for any politician or leader who questions DJT and the likes of Elon Musk and others now emboldened to corrupt all they touch. How many good people are mentally and strategically prepared? The shock good people experience when confronted by the narcissistic rage we saw with DJT as recently as his performance onstage with Black journalists will never abate as long as he takes a breath. We must come together. Support one another. Be ready and steady to have each others back. The sickness will not end when our November election declares by a landslide Kamala Harris our next president.

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author

100%. The path of CNI is to help ease & speed the process of becoming prepared for those ready & capable. It just takes enough of us to keep the barbarians at the gate.

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And to invite the barbarians to lay down their swords.

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author

but we must be ready for when they pretend to & attack us all over again.

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Aug 1Liked by Sam Ray

Alas, yes.

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Trump is the poster child for projection. Perhaps he may have even invented it. Wait for his post on that because eventually he’ll ger around to claiming that honor.

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author

trump is certainly the poster child for projection but it has existed since the dawn of humans.

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I think I first encountered projection working at a social service agency involving a staff member. Befuddling.

I finally figured it out.

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author

Good for you. It's pretty amazing how many still have not figured it out, but it's improving.

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Varieties of emotional abuse used in private and public

Projection and Gaslighting

Sub components:

Stonewalling

Emotional Withholding

Twisting

Rage

Trivializing, mockery, belittling.

Sabotage

https://psychcentral.com/blog/signs-of-an-emotionally-abusive-relationship#1

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author

There are indeed layers upon layers. CNI is focused on simplifying the overload.

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Mar 8Liked by Sam Ray

Seen today - a perfect projection.

“I don’t need votes. We have all the votes we need. We have to stop the cheating,” Trump told Glenn. “Because I actually think we would win the popular vote if it was — If God came down and was your vote counter where it would be honest, I think we win the popular vote. But they’ve cheated for years.”

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Feb 27Liked by Sam Ray

I'm new to this substack and loving this fascinating series. Thank you, Sam, for putting it together and making psychology easier to understand.

It's hard to naturally put myself into the headspace of someone who has no or limited conscience, but then it starts to make sense how someone could repeatedly lie and commit horrible crimes for their own benefit.

Thinking of the words we use in a conversation and how projection is sub\conscious, it's almost like projection is a shorter pathway to what the person thinks about, consciously/intentionally or subconsciously. 🤔

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author

Thanks Gleb. Always nice to hear CNi is accomplishing its mission.

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Feb 25Liked by Sam Ray

This line in your article really captures the malignant narcissist: “The simple way to remember projection is to remember almost every single accusation that comes from a narcissist, sociopath or psychopath is a confession.”

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founding

As I was reading this piece “deflection” kept popping up in my head as a description for conscious projection. It really is hard to discern if the narcissist ( such as trump) understands that he is being deliberate when he accuses the present administration of being communists and fascists at the same time. Aside from most likely not understanding those terms , he knows they are perceived as bad descriptions and incorporates the terms into his rallies. He just throws the kitchen sink and bathtub to see if that will take the heat from him after a major screwup such as leaving NATO high and dry or separating children from their parents at the border. When blowback occurs, time to start accusing others of your depraved qualities that most find repulsive.

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With the GOP, every accusation is a confession.

I"d like to point out an example of projection Trump recently used. I cannot remember his exact phrasing but I'll get as close as possible. He started by saying when I get, iirc, in. There will be massive crime. Yes, there will be and Trump and company will be committing it. The term telegraphing also works for this phenomenon. They cannot help telling on themselves.

I'm really enjoying your articles. I'm learning a lot. You make a wonderful sounding board.

Thank you 😊

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✨Great read, Sam ! ✨

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Excellent. Can’t wait for more. Keep it com’in. 👍😎

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