Posted by Semper Fi on January 02, 2001 at 13:27:45:
In Reply to: Narcissism and Fight Club posted by Thornsword on January 02, 2001 at 01:15:11:
: I didn't think you were planning to gun anyone down. That is just the extreme example of type 5/schizoid rage fantasies that occasionally seem to find there way into real life. Every personality type has levels of health but the central issues and means of compensating are of a consistant thread.
: But perhaps we should talk about narcissistic injury, the false self, and retalitory rage? Based on your statement, I don't think you are a narcissist in the disordered sense but you may find yourself on that continuum of issues.
: :Don't you think Fight Club was a good example of the sadist/masochist split in young men of today?
: There are two kinds of sadist/masochist: the self-defeating social masochist (type 6) and the self-punishing narcissist (type 4/type 3). In Fight Club, I think we are truly seeing the self-punishing narcissist who is literally splitting his false self (Tyler Durden played by Brad Pitt) from his weak ego (unnamed character played by Edward Norton). In seeking out support groups, the weak ego is seeking the missing love of the "mother". The false self is functional in every way the weak ego is not and acts, not only as a protector of the weak self via retalitory rage against society (the great unloving mother), but also serves to continue the punishment and rejection the weak self is accustomed to receiving. Did you personally identify with these characters? (Not to be confused with experiencing a thrill from the nearly pornographic level of violence.)
: What does this say about young men today? Speaking from a large scale cultural standpoint, a lot of unrealistic promises are made to boys and unrealistic expectations placed on boys. As in, if you deny yourself and fill the image of the strong capable man, you will be rewarded with wealth, high status, and success. When that promise is unfulfilled, young men experience narcissistic injury, resulting in two reactions: rage against the injuring "mother" (society) and self-punishment of the weak ego. Yes, I think, generally speaking, some kind of social narcissism is pervasive among young men today. Unfortunately, modern culture is a very cold mother.
:Your right bro. I need to get laid.