hahaha, I know, right?
Maybe I should rename this thread as "from narcissism to psychopathy, by Aty"

Anyway, I'm glad in a way that the conversation shifted from narcissim to psychopathy because you jumped in and gave me new insights
(I never thought about narcissism and psychopathy being on a spectrum, NPD on one end and full-blown psychopathy on the other end.)

Ok I will shed some light on the matter. The light is obviously my own but i'm sure very helpful anyway. The video is a well played act (as a narcissist) for Sammy boys own pleasure. So many people regard him as the "one" when it comes to NPD. Even the producers play to his needs by saying how impossible it would be to find a "N" with all 9 traits, but wait we did and here Sam is. What he says does make sense probably more to one with NPD then one without. His explanations of being broken down into molecules and so on. The need to control but his acting comes out when he talks about the noises and if the camera man can still hear him... Major BS!!! To become a recluse yet he's married and out in public in front of the cameras. I am not one to bash the guy (too much) as he is doing what he needs to to fill his N needs. On to me, I don't think I was born the way I am nor do I think anyone with NPD was born with the major flaws of the disorder. Figuring out a way to cope as a child and possibly being raised by another disordered person gives us the ways to become what we are. Myself could easily be another on that show with one who possesses all the traits they so hard to describe as impossible to find. I too am a "self aware" narcissist. I have my moments of nothing and then my moments of everything. Luckily my days of being me way outnumber the days of looking into myself. At least for my own sanity. Yes I also realize that we are very difficult to understand, read and so on and this is what makes us so... you get the point.
I love control
I love hearing about how great I am
I love manipulation for the games
I have people around for my own enjoyment and gain
I do what needs to be done without the regret or care of others best interests or feelings
This list can go on and on but I don't want to at the moment.
Truth is I can become that charismatic leader you speak of, I can throw the line out, lure you in and then have you as I want or need. I am a master of the game and as good as the best. If you like I can show you more...... The only way to understand me is if you could be me, other than that it's a guessing game!!!
Over and out for now,
Please enjoy responsibly!!
The Underground

I think it would be very interesting to see two psychopaths battle it out you know, one trying to make the other look worse or both of them challenging each other.

I think it would be fascinating to observe

I mean, you know....because it's only the "smart" people that can "figure" them out assuming psychopaths can perhaps have a feel for noticing other psychopaths then it would be interesting to see how they mingled together. Maybe it would just be cutthroat respect though :/

Maybe some of you guys have been in a situation like that before and would share

Underground:
I think I can see your light, at least partially. Even though I don't have NPD, I have a degree of narcissism. Narcissism is good and necessary for survival. I think I wouldn't be alive without it. My sense of pride, self-love and somewhat specialness helped me through harsh times. So, I have a basic understanding of NPD.
As for Sam's movie, I totally agree with you. The dynamic played by Sam and the movie director was both amusing and intellectually stimulating, lol.
I loved how cluless the director was and how enabling of Sam'a show he was.
As for you: it is really interesting to hear you say that you were not born with NPD.
Would you mind shedding some light regarding environmental factors/issued being raised as a child? Bring it on, underground!
I find it intellectually stimulating to talk with people like you, aty and mattmx.
As for me: I have major recurring depression and anxiety. I think part of my mood disorder is due to my genes (a history of MI in the family), and part of it was caused by environmental/conditioning factors. I also think it is very hard to understand depression unless you have it. Depression sucks. It eats at your soul, your emotions and your mind. Luckily, I've recently come out of a bad episode.