Intellectuals Are Narcissists

Published: Aug. 4, 2023, 3:30 p.m.

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\\u201cThe influence of narcissism on so many aspects of science calls into question [its] very objectivity.\\u201d \\u2014 Bruno Lamaitre, quoted in The Guardian

Academics tend toward the pretentious, but express different attitudes in different fields. I used to wonder why some fields had exploitative hierarchies, and others less so. I assumed it had some functional or historical precedent. I now believe it\\u2019s personal: people are attracted to these fields because the professional behavior suits their personalities\\u2026

I\\u2019m glad I became a therapist. I now engage deeply with people with whom I have nothing in common and from whom I have nothing to gain, at least not directly. I gain indirectly by learning how people\\u2019s minds work; something scientists try to hide.

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