Why We All Need a Wake-Up Call

Summary

Writer Chusana Prasertkul on the narcissism in all of us: “Narcissism, in its many forms, may indeed be at the root of our collective struggles — polarisation, isolation, cruelty, even injustice. And narcissism isn’t just ‘out there’, residing in easily identifiable villains. It’s also subtle and pervasive, lurking within each of us, waiting for the right circumstances to take hold.” To counter it, “we must intentionally practice humility,” which “doesn’t come naturally to everyone, especially for those raised in environments where projecting confidence, even when unfounded, was a form of self-protection,” so it won’t be easy. We must also “sharpen our ability to “think critically and hold strong to a moral compass,” because “every unchecked thought, every tolerated lie, every polite nod to narcissistic behaviour contributes to the very culture we claim to want to change.”

Rationale

Like her, we look for the problem in ourselves. But her chain runs one way, from thought to habit; we see a loop, with surroundings and experience reshaping thought too.