I can only speak for myself, but as a liberal I have never been uncomfortable with patriotism and being proudly American. I think sometimes liberals get a bad rap because of our history of standing up for people's right to burn the flag, protest wars, or criticize the country in an in-your-face sort of way. But hey, what's more American-loving than exercising our freedom of speech?
It seems that patriotism/the flag was appropriated by the right and then they, as is often the case, painted liberals as the exact opposite with no regard for nuance. Such behavior, when coupled with an ongoing need to "prove" that one's love for country is greater than that of others, puts you on a fast track to jingoism. My impression is that this is what liberals have been careful to steer clear of.
I really like the change of framing that you touched upon with respect to our country's history. It was one of those, "No, the glass is half full!" moments, and important for us to remember.
With respect to the light-of-day corruption/criminality and the human psyche, I would simply say that the vast majority of humans who are fortunate to not suffer from Antisocial Personality Disorder, undergo a short-circuit event, so to speak, when confronted with those who do. As you said, we have a bias to contend with, and that bias is believing that others behave, or try to behave, in the same way that we would.
One thing I would disagree on: Trump certainly appears to tick ALL the boxes for a sociopath. Although sociopathy is a subcategory of Antisocial Personality Disorder and thus not a diagnosis in and of itself, we generally know what someone means when the sentence, "They're a sociopath" is uttered.
Traits of Sociopaths
(A synopsis from Psychology online [edited for brevity] and verified by MSD Manual)
LACK OF EMPATHY AND REMORSE
Difficulty understanding/recognizing emotions and feelings of others. Show little concern or guilt for their harmful actions, disregarding the impact it may have on others.
MANIPULATIVE BEHAVIOR
Skilled at exploiting others to achieve their own goals/desires without regard for ethical boundaries. Can manifest as lying, deceiving, or using charm to gain trust and control over people.
IMPULSIVE ACTIONS
Tend to act without considering the potential consequences of their actions. Behavior may be erratic and unpredictable, driven by immediate gratification rather than long-term planning.
IRRESPONSIBLE AND DISREGARD FOR THE RULES
Often display a disregard for societal norms and rules. May engage in illegal activities without feeling any remorse or guilt about breaking the law. Frequently fail to take responsibility for their actions and exhibit a pattern of repeated irresponsible behavior.
SUPERFICIAL CHARM
Possess an uncanny ability to charm others effortlessly while concealing their true intentions beneath a charismatic facade, allowing them to manipulate situations more effectively by gaining trust quickly from unsuspecting individuals.
Bottom line, though not a professional/formal diagnosis: I think Trump suffers from Antisocial Personality Disorder (subcategory, sociopathy) with a very large helping of Narcissism mixed in.
We are definitely on the same page. Thanks for posting this.
I can only speak for myself, but as a liberal I have never been uncomfortable with patriotism and being proudly American. I think sometimes liberals get a bad rap because of our history of standing up for people's right to burn the flag, protest wars, or criticize the country in an in-your-face sort of way. But hey, what's more American-loving than exercising our freedom of speech?
It seems that patriotism/the flag was appropriated by the right and then they, as is often the case, painted liberals as the exact opposite with no regard for nuance. Such behavior, when coupled with an ongoing need to "prove" that one's love for country is greater than that of others, puts you on a fast track to jingoism. My impression is that this is what liberals have been careful to steer clear of.
I really like the change of framing that you touched upon with respect to our country's history. It was one of those, "No, the glass is half full!" moments, and important for us to remember.
With respect to the light-of-day corruption/criminality and the human psyche, I would simply say that the vast majority of humans who are fortunate to not suffer from Antisocial Personality Disorder, undergo a short-circuit event, so to speak, when confronted with those who do. As you said, we have a bias to contend with, and that bias is believing that others behave, or try to behave, in the same way that we would.
One thing I would disagree on: Trump certainly appears to tick ALL the boxes for a sociopath. Although sociopathy is a subcategory of Antisocial Personality Disorder and thus not a diagnosis in and of itself, we generally know what someone means when the sentence, "They're a sociopath" is uttered.
Traits of Sociopaths
(A synopsis from Psychology online [edited for brevity] and verified by MSD Manual)
LACK OF EMPATHY AND REMORSE
Difficulty understanding/recognizing emotions and feelings of others. Show little concern or guilt for their harmful actions, disregarding the impact it may have on others.
MANIPULATIVE BEHAVIOR
Skilled at exploiting others to achieve their own goals/desires without regard for ethical boundaries. Can manifest as lying, deceiving, or using charm to gain trust and control over people.
IMPULSIVE ACTIONS
Tend to act without considering the potential consequences of their actions. Behavior may be erratic and unpredictable, driven by immediate gratification rather than long-term planning.
IRRESPONSIBLE AND DISREGARD FOR THE RULES
Often display a disregard for societal norms and rules. May engage in illegal activities without feeling any remorse or guilt about breaking the law. Frequently fail to take responsibility for their actions and exhibit a pattern of repeated irresponsible behavior.
SUPERFICIAL CHARM
Possess an uncanny ability to charm others effortlessly while concealing their true intentions beneath a charismatic facade, allowing them to manipulate situations more effectively by gaining trust quickly from unsuspecting individuals.
Bottom line, though not a professional/formal diagnosis: I think Trump suffers from Antisocial Personality Disorder (subcategory, sociopathy) with a very large helping of Narcissism mixed in.
Appreciated your video, thank you.