PSYCHOPATH OR SOCIOPATH?

I’ve always been an avid student of the human payche - particularly certain personality disorders. Malignant narcissism runs rampant in my family. During the three generations I’ve been alive, I’ve seen five poison-spewing relatives come up like evil genies out of a lamp. I have no degree in psychology - never even have been to university; but personal exposure to it over many decades has made for a great - if stressful - education and insight.

First of all, I fervently believe that there is an inherited element to narcissim, either through a chemical imbalance or some genetically misshapen part of the brain regulating emotions. A parent or guardian, not being able, or willing to inhiibit a small child’s aggressive, cruel and disrepectful behavior towards others, including animals, has far reaching cosequences. They grow up to become entittled, intolerant, soulless monsters. Sometimes the narcissistic parent will not only encourage the child’s disorder, but weaponize it, as was the case with Colt Gray’s father, who gave him an AR-15 rifle for his fourteenth birthday. That’s an extreme case crossing into psychopathy; but it’s the elephant in the room. I also believe there’s a physical aspect to this warping of conscience, and that’s head injuries. Another extreme case was that of Bobby Joe Long, a serial rapist and killer, who had suffered concussions from falling off motorcycles. At least one already aggressive relative of mine began verbally abusing family members soon after a fall, from a height, on their head at age nine. I personally witnessed the fall, and subsequent psychological changes. Not a bank robber, grifter, rapist, child molester or murderer, yet they still managed - with the courage of liquor - to verbally intimidate, manipulate and abuse family members. I add that alcohol seems to be the common thread that connects most malignant narcissists.

I am particularly obsessed with male and female “karen” videos, which frequently air on YouTube, Most of these toxic humans are found, highly intoxicated or high on drugs, in crowded places like department stores and airports. They commit a lot of disturbance and commotion until the police intervene. Then they start physically and verbally resisting police while flailing around and screaming and cussing their heads off, just like toddlers in adult bodies who were never properly brought up or socialized to get along with others. They come in all shapes, ages, sizes, cultures and races. They’re drunk or high to give them “Dutch” courage. Cowards that they are, they’re not willing to go berserk without their mood alterer of choice.

Surely “Karen” and “Darren” personalities have always been around throughout human history, skulking in the shadows, verbally malignant and bullying menaces only to family and neighbors. The Great Recession, the rise and staying power of a completely amoral polititian, the advent of the internet full of misinformation and disturbing thought patterns - and the great leveller, Covid - have opened a Pandora’s box of global pyroplastic malevolence.