Glad to know I'm not the only person who does the "pretend that I'm performing music and am awesome at it" thing while listening to music. Congratulations on raising your status to your imaginary society while allowing me to take less of a hit from my own.
More generally I've always thought that TLP was genuinely insightful but also that his narcissism theory could explain literally any thought anyone has while being completely unfalsifiable.
"I'd like to provide money to this charity."
"Ah, yes, to signal to others (who don't even have to exist) that you are charitable."
"Uh, no, because I believe in the cause."
"Because you want to perceive yourself as the sort of person who believes in this sort of cause."
"...yes?"
"Your admission that you are intentionally sculpting your perception of yourself is just a defense mechanism to keep you from developing real values."
"...okay?"
TLP got me through some really tough times, and there's something true and real at the bottom of all the...whatever it is he's writing, but for me it really just boils down to: "Saying happiness is your goal is like saying getting paid is your job."
Glad to know I'm not the only person who does the "pretend that I'm performing music and am awesome at it" thing while listening to music. Congratulations on raising your status to your imaginary society while allowing me to take less of a hit from my own.
More generally I've always thought that TLP was genuinely insightful but also that his narcissism theory could explain literally any thought anyone has while being completely unfalsifiable.
"I'd like to provide money to this charity."
"Ah, yes, to signal to others (who don't even have to exist) that you are charitable."
"Uh, no, because I believe in the cause."
"Because you want to perceive yourself as the sort of person who believes in this sort of cause."
"...yes?"
"Your admission that you are intentionally sculpting your perception of yourself is just a defense mechanism to keep you from developing real values."
"...okay?"
TLP got me through some really tough times, and there's something true and real at the bottom of all the...whatever it is he's writing, but for me it really just boils down to: "Saying happiness is your goal is like saying getting paid is your job."