Narcissism in the culture

Narcissism is increasing because public exposure has become much similar and easier to access. As such, people get a taste of exposure, and invariably want more. If that person inherently enjoys attention, but is not aware of their need for it, they become narcissistic. This also occurs for people who have developed a grandiosity complex about themselves for whatever reason.

 

Great topic. I agree, we've become too self-focused and self-involved.

Why is this happening?
-For one thing, Tyra Banks is probably not the cause. She is more likely a product as many of us are of new media's influence of postmodern culture. Neil Postman's Amusing Ourselves to Death is a good read on this topic. But we've learned to focus on self-improvement, self-development. We're also as a culture, taught to be more self-reliant, and take personal responsibility for our successes, and failures, so this leads dedicating our lives to developing self, leading to narcissistic thinking (although this is not a direct correlation)

Can you recognise narcissistic traits in yourself? Do they worry you?
- Since it's a product of cultural change and technology in modernity (i really overuse this word), we're all affected by it to some degree. I think the problem is narcissism in the extreme.

 

Has this guy even studied sociology / psychology?
It says he has a biology major.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drew_Pinsky#Credentials

 

Why is this happening? Narcissism has always been around...I mean women in the middle ages caused their organs to move around, broken ribs, and ruptures just to have a perfect waist. Thats just one example, but its always been around. I will agree that its becoming more and more noticeable.

How do you feel about the change of (our) culture into a more narcissistic culture? it happens every century or so...but I think this particular craze has lasted nearly a half a century...I dont know what it means or where were going but...ugh...

What symptoms of this phenomenom can you see around you? My eight year old worried about being fat...

Can you recognise narcissistic traits in yourself? no...I like to do my hair...makeup...but beyond that...meh...Im me and I like it! Do they worry you? n/a

Do you want to participate in making the culture healthier again and if so, what can we do to stop this monstrous "me, me, me" -phenomenom? That, my friend, needs a world wide restructuring of parenting techniques...We teach our kids these things...

 

I think you're right, but it's probably not only the parenting. (You probably mean nurture, I know.)

Nature probably has something to do with it too.
And is narcississm worrying about how you look or loving yourself? I thought it was the latter.

 

and parenting is only one side of it...kids teach other kids more than their parents teach them...Nature vs nurther...doesnt matter...

One kid gets designer jeans they all want em...

 

Yea I know, that's why I said 'I know you mean nurture'
(Nurture means the whole environment, right?)

And it isn't really vs, I think it 'melts together'.
Meh. I'm not sure how to explain this in english, and it's just an opinion.

 

This doesn't affect celebrities alone. It affects human beings in general. Any situation in which someone inflates another's ego, leading them to feel that they are more than they are, they will likely become narcissistic. It's almost inevitable that you begin to think of yourself as bigger and better because everyone keeps telling you that you are.

We're all vulnerable to it to an extent. Some are more susceptible than others of course. But in a culture which values recognition and publicity over everything else, it's hard not to fall victim to it.

 

I think that if you don't have any experience in the 'sociology/psychology area', you shouldn't make any statements like that.

 

I meant that guy.
The guy who wrote the atricle. Not you.

And meh, maybe my comments aren't insightful, but we can't take every article serious.

 

Firstly, be sure we're not confusing narcisism for vanity. Vanity is certainly an aspect, but it is not the only attribute of narcissism. Ambition alone does not necessarily equate to narcissism either. People can be ambitious and humble at the same time.

Second of all, where do we draw the line between healthy self-love and narcissim? There is such thing as a healthy ego. For instance, I would not categorize an interest in MBTI theory or quest for self-discovery as "narcissim," as some else mentioned in this thread.

I think naricissm is an extreme that relatively few people have, and while celebrities are a popular target because they symbolize what one would consider narcissim, the other thing to keep in mind is that they are not always their image. I think all of humanity is just liable to take a toke or two from the ego-bong once in a while... which is perfectly normal. I don't see that as a cultural epidemic, however.

 

I agree.

 

Doesn't matter, I didn't really have an input in this thread anyway.