This is about the eighth time in two short months that someone has asked me some odd question. Over the internet and irl. And it's questions like, "How can I learn to manipulate people?" or, "How can I lie better?" I've gotten these questions before, but lately they've been from very normal, empathetic people.

It's a little disturbing that these normally very caring people are suddenly so aggressive and cynical. They don't want to be psychopaths... They want to feel emotion and care about others, but be evil all at the same time.

Why is manipulative and deceitful behavior so attractive? And what do I tell them?

[Perna]

I guess I'd be offended they were asking Me! :-) I'd scowl and drawl in my best John Wayne imitation, "Well. . . you know, practice makes perfect".

[perpetuallysad]

Perna's right, I would totally be offended that they asked me that. How strange. I've never heard anyone say something like that in my life.

Originally Posted by Perna

I guess I'd be offended they were asking Me! :-) I'd scowl and drawl in my best John Wayne imitation, "Well. . . you know, practice makes perfect".

Haha! You're a lot nicer than I am. I just tell them to **** off and leave me alone. But it's not the questions they're asking that are bothersome. It's fairly common, especially from angsty teenagers and serial killer fanatics. (I've gotten some really weird questions from those last folk...) It's the people who are asking them. There has also been an uprising in people who think they're psychopaths. I've heard a lot of the "dark passenger" nonsense, and that I can only blame on Dexter. Yet again, very normal people who hit a moment of depression, then think they're destined to become evil.

Originally Posted by perpetuallysad

How strange. I've never heard anyone say something like that in my life.

Not really. We get it all the time on psychforums.

[Shangrala]

Hmmm. I suppose if someone were to approach me and ask me those odd questions, I wouldn't necessarily be offended, but I'd certainly be damn curious as to why they're asking "me", as I project not even close to anything of that sort of behavior or express no where near any kind of cynical thoughts.

I guess, in response, I'd have to ask them...."Why you asking me? Do I seem that way to you?"....as well as tell them to seek another means of reinforcing their quest....lol.

I have noticed though, with the youth now days, how they seem to think it as fashionable & "cool" to call eachother horrible, disrespectful names (none which can be mentioned on here), that ARE disrespectful, yet
I guess, the same applies to all that cynical thinking of how cool "evil" is supposed to be. Personally, (depending on their age), I think it's a passing phase combined with possible peer pressure. Although, that does depend on the individual. It's hard to say, really.

Shangrala

[Miracle1986]

That are some very strange questions.

Originally Posted by Shangrala

I guess, in response, I'd have to ask them...."Why you asking me? Do I seem that way to you?"....as well as tell them to seek another means of reinforcing their quest....lol.

I'm a psychopath, and manipulation is my typical behavior. I know why they're asking me; I just don't understand why they want to be like me...

Originally Posted by Shangrala

I have noticed though, with the youth now days, how they seem to think it as fashionable & "cool" to call eachother horrible, disrespectful names (none which can be mentioned on here), that ARE disrespectful, yet
I guess, the same applies to all that cynical thinking of how cool "evil" is supposed to be. Personally, (depending on their age), I think it's a passing phase combined with possible peer pressure. Although, that does depend on the individual. It's hard to say, really.

Shangrala

Sadly, the youth of today are arrogant enough to believe they are more evil and cynical than I, and every other psychopath. The people who have been asking me these questions lately are like soccer moms, and churchgoers. Some of the people irl, like my sisters' friends, have even asked me to do less than ethical things for them...

[FooZe]

Originally Posted by Myers

Some of the people irl, like my sisters' friends, have even asked me to do less than ethical things for them...

So that if anything happens to hit the fan it'll all be your fault and none of it will get on them? Hooo-boy! With friends like that, who needs enemies?

[lynn P.]

I think the reason some so called 'normal' people are asking these questions is because most people do have fleeting dark thoughts, but they never act on them. Also it's known that many psychopaths have magnetic charisma and people especially some women are attracted to the 'bad boy' image. So I think it's a combination of the 2 - a) they have someone they can reveal their dark side to
b) they find your personality curious and appealing.

Originally Posted by Fool Zero

So that if anything happens to hit the fan it'll all be your fault and none of it will get on them? Hooo-boy! With friends like that, who needs enemies?

If I get caught, I'm telling the judge it was all their idea... Usually they just want help with marital problems, like find out if their husband is being unfaithful on those long, business trips.

Originally Posted by lynn P.

I think the reason some so called 'normal' people are asking these questions is because most people do have fleeting dark thoughts, but they never act on them. Also it's known that many psychopaths have magnetic charisma and people especially some women are attracted to the 'bad boy' image. So I think it's a combination of the 2 - a) they have someone they can reveal their dark side to
b) they find your personality curious and appealing.

That I understand. I'm used to it and I don't really mind. But lately, I'm fairly sure, a lot of them have been asking questions on how to get some sort of revenge on their significant other or parents. Or they want power in their relationship, and think manipulation is the best way to get it.

I think a lot of them have been in bad relationships, even with a psychopath or narcissist, and think being cold and cynical will protect them from experiencing that again. Which is why I'm ambivalent about giving them some advice, or if the psychological repercussions on their part might be too great. It worked on my wife...

[pachyderm]

Originally Posted by Myers

Not really. We get it all the time on psychforums.

What psych forums are those?

And why do you like to hang out there?

[lynn P.]

I'm not saying this about everyone - but I fear the general morals of society are becoming too relaxed. It's all about instant gratification at any cost.

Originally Posted by pachyderm

What psych forums are those?

And why do you like to hang out there?

Psychforums. I'm allowed to let my mask slip, and the moderators are understanding about the whole matter. And by "understanding", I mean they quarantine us to the ASPD forum and only venture into said forum if we're offending the victims and they need to intervene.