https://t.co/uvrp2yBir3
Trump's call to @GaSecofState highlights the intersection of "Trickle Down Pathology", the emasculinization of the rule of law, and a gaslighting technique I describe as "the manipulation of the interaction timeline".
To review: 1)Trump attempted to extort election fraud....1/
Audio: Trump berates Ga. secretary of state, urges him to "find" votes https://t.co/Pibw9gBt1A
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) January 3, 2021
https://t.co/uvrp2yBir3
Brad Raffensperger told his advisers he did not want the recording or a transcript of the call released unless Trump attacked him or misrepresented the call. Trump tweeted attacking Raffensperger Sunday morning. https://t.co/mxDSeHYeRZ
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) January 4, 2021
As for the \u201cinteraction timeline\u201d, it comes into play in two ways. First, the narcissist uses it to 1) excuse their own behavior, and 2) to demonize those whose reasonable reaction to the egregious behavior attempts to hold the narcissist accountable, 21/https://t.co/Psb0Dg36mm
— Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych (@Nick_Carmody) August 24, 2019
\u2026.. and 3) to simultaneously claim victimhood by characterizing the reaction as an \u201cunfair\u201d, unprovoked attack against the narcissist. 22/ https://t.co/qMBVRT9UNx
— Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych (@Nick_Carmody) August 24, 2019
If you look at \u201cunfairness\u201d through the lens of his narcissism, particularly through the lens of grandiosity/superiority/perfection\u2026.there\u2019s an inability/unwillingness to see things objectively. 3/
— Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych (@Nick_Carmody) July 23, 2019
There\u2019s also a zero-sum dynamic: If something doesn\u2019t go 100% in Trump\u2019s favor, it\u2019s unfair, b/c he\u2019s pathologically subjective (only see the world through his own limited perspective), and thinks he \u201cdeserves\u201d 100% of the pie (zero-sum). Anything less than 100% is \u201cunfair\u201d. 4/
— Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych (@Nick_Carmody) July 23, 2019
As far as \u201ctreatment\u201d, if he doesn\u2019t receive 100% adulation (narcissistic supply), it\u2019s perceived as \u201cunfair\u201d treatment. This is why there\u2019s no acceptance of accountability, why he bristles at criticism, and will go to war & hold grudges with people who criticize him (press). 5/
— Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych (@Nick_Carmody) July 23, 2019
He\u2019s also oblivious, in denial, and/or dishonest about when the interaction timeline begins (which usually begins with an egregious action/statement by Trump)\u2026.. Instead pointing to other peoples' reactions to his words/actions as the initial action rather than as a reaction. 6/
— Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych (@Nick_Carmody) July 23, 2019
\u2026..which allows him to always (attempt to) claim victimhood because he characterizes the situation as being one where everyone else (press/Democrats/law enforcement) is \u201cattacking\u201d Trump (or someone who sycophantically furthers Trump\u2019s interests) *without* provocation.7/
— Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych (@Nick_Carmody) July 23, 2019
This due in part to Trump symptomatically living in an "immortal, eternal now", without any concept of historical significance.....other than to keep score of others who have "wronged" him. 8/ https://t.co/qezbSyOzy0
— Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych (@Nick_Carmody) July 23, 2019
But, here's the thing......the problem isn't that Trump's attempt to extort and commit election fraud came to light....
....The problem is that it occurred.....13/
https://t.co/4z4hQLNmfy
The past doesn't matter...
— Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych (@Nick_Carmody) September 29, 2020
Words don't matter...
Accountability doesn't matter...
Hypocrisy doesn't matter...
Apparently what matters is questioning and disparaging those who report/expose the egregious behavior.
The problem isn't that this came to light, it's that it happened. https://t.co/0IH5xAyZuL
For decades, the Right has masculinized conservative issues politics....and emasculinzed "principled morality, etc".....14/ https://t.co/JLGVxiOoVt
This is due to decades of (e)masculinization of politics. The Republicans have used the 2nd Amend (guns), Libertarianism, Foreign policy (war), etc, to masculinize conservatism,...while simultaneously emasculating empathy, compassion, principled morality, intellectualism, etc. 1/ https://t.co/aCQ3JxEahf
— Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych (@Nick_Carmody) February 6, 2020
A man does not release a private conversation he has with anyone. That\u2019s part of being a man. Democrat, Republican, Trump, anti-Trump, none of that matters.
— Jesse Kelly (@JesseKellyDC) January 4, 2021
You don\u2019t repeat things said to you privately. That\u2019s simple man code. https://t.co/hlRPamglnV
When supporting and defending the behavior of a pathologically disordered leader becomes the top priority, the "defense" (behavior) of the subordinates will invariably become pathologically disordered. This is the essence of \u201cTrickle Down Pathology: 10/ https://t.co/FO0STMN0jO
— Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych (@Nick_Carmody) November 13, 2019
When supporting and defending the behavior of a pathologically disordered leader becomes the top priority, the "defense" (behavior) of the subordinates will invariably become pathologically disordered. This is the essence of \u201cTrickle Down Pathology: 10/ https://t.co/FO0STMN0jO
— Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych (@Nick_Carmody) November 13, 2019
They're boxed-in to their support of Trump by caricatures of their morality/intelligence. To admit Trump is who/what he is substantiates those caricatures to some degree. It's less psychologically/emotionally distressing to preserve the Trump fallacy, and to continue...1/ https://t.co/WSdFFJTd2h
— Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych (@Nick_Carmody) August 24, 2020
More from Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych
Trump's speech was another incitement for violence. The Right views the military as an impediment against another insurrection/potential coup. This is why Trump & the Echo Chamber have been coordinating an assault on the legitimacy/stability of the military. It's important...1/ https://t.co/Lvs4a0jKl3
....to remember that 53 of the 500 people arrested for the Jan. 6th insurrection were former/current military. The Right knows the military has a potential extremist problem, except that rather than attempt to understand and solve the problem,...2/
...Trump, and the Right Wing Media Echo Chamber are attempting to exacerbate and inflame the problem.
The Echo Chamber knows that FOX is on nearly every TV in and around military bases, so when Ted Cruz talks about the military being emasculated....3/
......and when Matt Gaetz and J.D. Vance talk about the military losing
...5/....https://t.co/23iwQikwgH
\u201cIn one of the only original passages in his Ohio speech, he criticized \u2018woke generals\u2019 and claimed that \u2018our military will be incapable of fighting and incapable of taking orders.\u2019 America\u2019s \u2018military brass have become weak and ineffective leaders.\u2019\u201d https://t.co/IHqNTcgILg
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) June 27, 2021
....to remember that 53 of the 500 people arrested for the Jan. 6th insurrection were former/current military. The Right knows the military has a potential extremist problem, except that rather than attempt to understand and solve the problem,...2/
Wow. Great speech by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Milley:
— Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych (@Nick_Carmody) June 24, 2021
"I want to understand white rage....I want to understand what caused thousands of people to assault this building and try to overturn the constitution of the United States." 1/
pic.twitter.com/lxVpPO9BHE
...Trump, and the Right Wing Media Echo Chamber are attempting to exacerbate and inflame the problem.
The Echo Chamber knows that FOX is on nearly every TV in and around military bases, so when Ted Cruz talks about the military being emasculated....3/
Holy crap.
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) May 20, 2021
Perhaps a woke, emasculated military is not the best idea.... https://t.co/8aVFMW98NM
......and when Matt Gaetz and J.D. Vance talk about the military losing
With Generals like this it\u2019s no wonder we\u2019ve fought considerably more wars than we\u2019ve won. https://t.co/wt43YAs6cU
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) June 23, 2021
...5/....https://t.co/23iwQikwgH
I personally would like American generals to read less about \u201cwhite rage\u201d (whatever that is) and more about \u201cnot losing wars.\u201d
— J.D. Vance (@JDVance1) June 25, 2021
Observations about Covid, vaccine effectiveness, media portrayals/hypocrisy, and even Jan 6th to show the dangerous effect “trickle down irrationality”:
When disinformation causes otherwise irrational behavior to appear rational.
Let's unpack.....1/
In the video above, @rubinreport uses Johnathon Isaac’s response about being unvaccinated to correctly encourage people to
- avoid summarily demonizing people
- have a measured, good-faith interpretation of other people's potentially good-faith “rational” motivations/actions
2/
I agree. Jonathon Isaac was very impressive in that interview.
We won’t make progress as a society by engaging in the same behavior that helped create the problem. And : 3/
Yet, just 12 seconds into the show, Rubin’s characterization of efforts to contain covid as attempts to “control”/tyrannize not only demonizes medical professionals (“elites”), but it’s also an implicit refusal to acknowledge ANY good faith motivation to protect public health: 4/
“[Covid is] going to be this constant cudgel that they can always use to control us and lock us down and put more rules on us, and all of the *stuff* that you all get since they’re always going to do that….. 5/
When disinformation causes otherwise irrational behavior to appear rational.
Let's unpack.....1/
In the video above, @rubinreport uses Johnathon Isaac’s response about being unvaccinated to correctly encourage people to
- avoid summarily demonizing people
- have a measured, good-faith interpretation of other people's potentially good-faith “rational” motivations/actions
2/
I agree. Jonathon Isaac was very impressive in that interview.
We won’t make progress as a society by engaging in the same behavior that helped create the problem. And : 3/
Yes, fighting the temptation to name call (or "own the Cons"), rather than articulate the behavior is important. Calling them "Covidiots" is an indulgent lack of emotional discipline/maturity.
— Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych (@Nick_Carmody) September 4, 2021
It's difficult to solve the problem by engaging in the same problematic behavior. 1/ https://t.co/5FBK2jNI6f
Yet, just 12 seconds into the show, Rubin’s characterization of efforts to contain covid as attempts to “control”/tyrannize not only demonizes medical professionals (“elites”), but it’s also an implicit refusal to acknowledge ANY good faith motivation to protect public health: 4/
“[Covid is] going to be this constant cudgel that they can always use to control us and lock us down and put more rules on us, and all of the *stuff* that you all get since they’re always going to do that….. 5/
The, “how do we fix this” is perhaps the most important question we face as a country. To the extent that it can be fixed, it starts with framing and language used to describe the problem/solution. The “deprogramming” and “brainwashed” verbiage has to be eliminated. 1/
No one is receptive to finding “common ground” when the starting point of the person who claims to desire common ground is telling them they’ve been brainwashed, and that they need to be “deprogrammed”. 2/
This plays into the “Totalitarian” narrative that Tucker Carlson is propagating, even going so far as using the “don’t believe your own eyes” to reinforce the narrative. 3/
Of course, this is exactly what occurred during Trump’s presidency. Basically, it’s another attempt to confuse and distract with moral/false equivalency. 4/
In the past, the Right attempted to excuse Trump’s pathological dishonesty with allegations of the Left lying: if everyone is lying, then no one is lying……because lying is normalized.
Great analysis. Now, what do we do about it. Do we need to \u2018reprogram\u2019 minds of those who\u2019ve fallen into a veil of deception? Do we treat these folks as cult victims? When it is a group narcissism, folks have to \u2018kill off\u2019 a part of themselves to escape, not easy recovery.
— Ponder (@Washyourowndish) April 23, 2021
No one is receptive to finding “common ground” when the starting point of the person who claims to desire common ground is telling them they’ve been brainwashed, and that they need to be “deprogrammed”. 2/
This plays into the “Totalitarian” narrative that Tucker Carlson is propagating, even going so far as using the “don’t believe your own eyes” to reinforce the narrative. 3/
Of course, this is exactly what occurred during Trump’s presidency. Basically, it’s another attempt to confuse and distract with moral/false equivalency. 4/
In the past, the Right attempted to excuse Trump’s pathological dishonesty with allegations of the Left lying: if everyone is lying, then no one is lying……because lying is normalized.
...or 2), a combination of: everything is a lie, therefore nothing is a lie\u2026.that lying is a necessary tactic to win or to compete against evil enemies (Libs/media) who are lying,\u2026or that they\u2019re in a Darwinian fight for survival where lying is a law of the political jungle.13/
— Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych (@Nick_Carmody) July 6, 2019
The real danger for the country isn’t the election results, it’s the reaction to, and the refusal to accept the results. For more than four years, Trump and the Right Wing Media Echo Chamber have conditioned his supporters to believe the election is “rigged”. They believe it….1/
In a recent thread about collective election anxiety/PTSD, I wrote that “one half the country doesn’t believe in evidence, the other half can’t trust it.” 2/
This couldn’t more evident than by the fact that 87 percent of Trump supporters believe he will win re-election, despite the fact that… 3/
…the empirical data that shows Biden *should* win easily. This has resulted in https://t.co/e8JNg5tYmK calculating that Trump has only a 10% chance of winning. To be clear, 10% is a non-zero number, much like the 30% chance that Trump had in 2016. 4/
But the real problem isn’t necessarily about low probabilities, the real problem…..or more accurately, the danger…..lies in the pathologically unrealistic expectations of the cult of Trump: 90% of them have been conned into thinking that a 10% probability is a “sure thing”. 5/
In a recent thread about collective election anxiety/PTSD, I wrote that “one half the country doesn’t believe in evidence, the other half can’t trust it.” 2/
The collective anxiety is the by-product of two unfortunate realities of the Trump era:
— Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych (@Nick_Carmody) October 20, 2020
1)You\u2019ll never go broke if you consistently bet on the ignorance/depravity of 1/3 of this country.
2)One-half of the country doesn\u2019t believe in evidence. The other half can\u2019t trust it.
1/ https://t.co/gY5lzJxNxq
This couldn’t more evident than by the fact that 87 percent of Trump supporters believe he will win re-election, despite the fact that… 3/
…the empirical data that shows Biden *should* win easily. This has resulted in https://t.co/e8JNg5tYmK calculating that Trump has only a 10% chance of winning. To be clear, 10% is a non-zero number, much like the 30% chance that Trump had in 2016. 4/
But the real problem isn’t necessarily about low probabilities, the real problem…..or more accurately, the danger…..lies in the pathologically unrealistic expectations of the cult of Trump: 90% of them have been conned into thinking that a 10% probability is a “sure thing”. 5/
It's a perfect storm of emotional immaturity, arrested development, and the fetishization of "freedom" to the point where the *right to ignorance*....and the "freedom" to put others at risk...... is equated with "liberty".
Relevant threads:https://t.co/6at83OnxpK
It's a perfect storm of emotional immaturity, arrested development, and the fetishization of "freedom" to the point where the *right to ignorance*....and the "freedom" to put others at risk...... is equated with "liberty".
Relevant
https://t.co/W78IMiOAmA
https://t.co/UDgKTmjHOG
Relevant threads:https://t.co/6at83OnxpK
Yes, in the context of the Right's fetishizing "freedom", "patriot shaming", collective narcissism, cult membership purity tests, emasculinization, dopamine, confirmation bias, religion, gun control, etc. https://t.co/xGdmoSVykZ. I'll attach a few of the threads below: 1/ https://t.co/elQVWBVHXx
— Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych (@Nick_Carmody) October 21, 2020
It's a perfect storm of emotional immaturity, arrested development, and the fetishization of "freedom" to the point where the *right to ignorance*....and the "freedom" to put others at risk...... is equated with "liberty".
Relevant
Yes, in the context of the Right's fetishizing "freedom", "patriot shaming", collective narcissism, cult membership purity tests, emasculinization, dopamine, confirmation bias, religion, gun control, etc. https://t.co/xGdmoSVykZ. I'll attach a few of the threads below: 1/ https://t.co/elQVWBVHXx
— Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych (@Nick_Carmody) October 21, 2020
https://t.co/W78IMiOAmA
An addiction model may actually explain tribalism, confirmation bias, and even conspiracy theories/Qanon. Let\u2019s unpack\u2026.
— Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych (@Nick_Carmody) June 13, 2021
Several years ago I started observing the parallels between addiction and political tribalism as marriages/friendships/families imploded over politics\u2026.1/ https://t.co/jCNGeN42l2
https://t.co/UDgKTmjHOG
This is the game the GOP plays:
— Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych (@Nick_Carmody) August 9, 2021
When adults/experts/leaders take action, the Right engages in sabotaging performative obstinance & demonize the actions as government overreach.
If the Right successfully sabotages the actions, the Right claims Biden failed & blame immigrants. 1/ https://t.co/qP1kG2s1b5
More from Politics
So let's see a show of hands: how many of you even knew Huber was digging into the Clinton Foundation? While he was assisting Horowitz in his digging into the FISC/Steele Dossier/Fusion GPS/Perkins Coie/DNC/Hillary campaign stuff?
I'm sure Huber is coming to DC *only* to discuss Clinton Foundation things with Meadows and his committee.
He for certain, like, won't be huddling with Horowitz or that new guy, Whitaker while he's in town. That would NEVER HAPPEN. [wink wink wink!] 😉
I just spent a year and a half telling you they will SHOW YOU what they are REALLY DOING when they are READY.
Not before.
No matter how much whining is done about it.
I'm exhausted but it's worth it.
Now you know why they're f**king TERRIFIED of Whitaker, the closer tapped by Trump to come in late for the hysterical fireworks that will ensue soon.
Look who's suddenly fund raising for his legal defen- er, I mean, ha ha - his reelection campaign!
Breaking News: House GOP to hold investigative hearing into DOJ\u2019s handling of Clinton Foundation probe. Top prosecutor to be summoned. https://t.co/HogyXHHcvo
— John Solomon (@jsolomonReports) November 21, 2018
I'm sure Huber is coming to DC *only* to discuss Clinton Foundation things with Meadows and his committee.
He for certain, like, won't be huddling with Horowitz or that new guy, Whitaker while he's in town. That would NEVER HAPPEN. [wink wink wink!] 😉
I just spent a year and a half telling you they will SHOW YOU what they are REALLY DOING when they are READY.
Not before.
No matter how much whining is done about it.
I'm exhausted but it's worth it.
Now you know why they're f**king TERRIFIED of Whitaker, the closer tapped by Trump to come in late for the hysterical fireworks that will ensue soon.
Look who's suddenly fund raising for his legal defen- er, I mean, ha ha - his reelection campaign!
President Trump just attacked Adam on Twitter with his most profane insult yet. Will you chip in $5 to send Trump a message and show him you stand with Adam?
— Adam Schiff (@AdamSchiff) November 19, 2018
Handy guide for Dominic Raab and other Brexiteers, and for anyone keen to replace our EU trade with trade with the rest of the world on WTO terms...
You can't magic away the vast distances involved. Clue: we fly in only 1/192th of our trade compared to the amount that arrives via sea
But even if you invented a teleporter tomorrow, WTO terms are so bad, so stacked against us, that a no-deal Brexit will be a total economic disaster
And while the Brexiteers fantasise, real jobs are being lost, investments are drying up, companies are moving assets to the EU27 or redomiciling. All already happened and happening right now, not in some mythical
Of course, there are many, many myths that Brexiteers perpetuate that are total fiction. You've seen a couple of them already. The thread below busts a whole lot
You can't magic away the vast distances involved. Clue: we fly in only 1/192th of our trade compared to the amount that arrives via sea
In 2016, the UK transported 484,000,000 tons of freight by sea, but just 2,511,000 tons by air (192x less than by sea). Therefore absurd to think of simply substituting air freight for sea freight (e.g. if we have to fly in food or medicines because of post-Brexit jams at ports)
— Edwin Hayward (@uk_domain_names) October 28, 2018
But even if you invented a teleporter tomorrow, WTO terms are so bad, so stacked against us, that a no-deal Brexit will be a total economic disaster
Here's the truth about Brexit, the "punishment" some people claim the EU wants to inflict on us, the full horrific consequences of no deal, and the dangers lurking behind any deal we reach. Buckle in, it's pretty long. Better to be thorough than to leave anything out. 1/47
— Edwin Hayward (@uk_domain_names) October 14, 2018
And while the Brexiteers fantasise, real jobs are being lost, investments are drying up, companies are moving assets to the EU27 or redomiciling. All already happened and happening right now, not in some mythical
Ok, it's high time to look at the REAL effects of Brexit. As the Tories implode & Labour sits on its hands, companies are executing contingency plans, shifting jobs & assets, slashing investments, or redomiciling (accounting exercise). Happening NOW, not in a fantasy future. 1/95
— Edwin Hayward (@uk_domain_names) November 14, 2018
Of course, there are many, many myths that Brexiteers perpetuate that are total fiction. You've seen a couple of them already. The thread below busts a whole lot
Unicorn Shredder: Hard Brexit Truths
— Edwin Hayward (@uk_domain_names) November 15, 2018
- The major economic harm Brexit is already inflicting on the UK
- Reality of "no deal" & WTO terms
- EU "punishment" narrative
- Endangered industries: automotive & haulage
+ much, much more...
(Each tweet is a self-contained thread.)
I told you they’d bring this up
I was wondering why that tweet had so many stupid replies. And now I see
Seriously, this was “the night before.” If you’re at the march where they’re changing “Jews will not replace us” and “Blood and soil,” you’re not a “very fine person.” Full stop.
There are 3 important moments in that transcript.
1.) When someone asked Trump about a statement *he had already made* about there being blame on “both sides,” he said the “fine people” line.
2. Trump does clarify! “I’m not talking about the neo-Nazis and white nationalists — because they should be condemned totally “
Okay!
Then adds that there were “many people in that group other than neo-Nazis and white nationalists.”
Right-wing media have essentially convinced themselves that Trump never said "very fine people." They're lying. https://t.co/5960NPMYLJ
— Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) February 11, 2021
I was wondering why that tweet had so many stupid replies. And now I see
The Fine People Hoaxers are trying hard to keep you from reading the actual FULL transcript because then you would see how the hoax was pulled off with devious editing. https://t.co/PQLj0DWuPj
— Scott Adams (@ScottAdamsSays) February 11, 2021
Seriously, this was “the night before.” If you’re at the march where they’re changing “Jews will not replace us” and “Blood and soil,” you’re not a “very fine person.” Full stop.
Trump defense talking about how the then-president was praising the peaceful protests at Charlottesville that occurred "the night before" the violence on Saturday. That was the night where the torch-bearing crowd chanted "Jews will not replace us." pic.twitter.com/HCKS6Q9LBY
— Anthony Zurcher (@awzurcher) February 12, 2021
There are 3 important moments in that transcript.
1.) When someone asked Trump about a statement *he had already made* about there being blame on “both sides,” he said the “fine people” line.
2. Trump does clarify! “I’m not talking about the neo-Nazis and white nationalists — because they should be condemned totally “
Okay!
Then adds that there were “many people in that group other than neo-Nazis and white nationalists.”
