Friday, November 10, 2006

On Flushing Reality Down the Psychic Toilet (3.3.08)

I’m trying to imagine what it must feel like for Horizontal Man to win an election. I know that for me and other vertical beings of my acquaintance, there is no great joy upon winning an election, usually just relief that we have managed to temporarily pull the cultural plane out of its death spiral. But for Horizontal Man, politics is his religion, which is the whole problem with his politics.

Vertical man is born again “from above,” drawing energies from the cosmogonic center and radiating them to the horizontal periphery. But since Horizontal Man is trapped in the bewilderness of his contingent being (i.e., maya), he projects the above into the future, and constructs a faux spiritual life that attempts to draw psychic energies from this self-created illusion. In other words, he practices the religion of progressivism, in which belief in a transcendent heaven is immamentized and nourishes the place where his soul should be. In doing so, he receives a kind of existential consolation which may be compared to a form of counterfeit grace, in particular, when he imagines that he is in proximity to this heaven and therefore closer to being “saved” from the existential situation that afflicts all humans.

You can clearly see this mechanism of horizontal salvation in action. For if reality were actually what the fantasists of the left have been saying it was prior to the election, we would not see manic exaltation among their ranks. Rather, we would see great sobriety and moral seriousness, as they brood on the monumental achievement of having just barely prevented a theo-fascist takeover of America. If this self-evident fantasy had been real, the more appropriate reaction of the left would be sobbing, not fist-pumping and sack dancing.

The great psychoanalyst Melanie Klein divided human psychological development into two main stages, which she termed the paranoid-schizoid and the depressive positions. (I will try to avoid pedantry at risk of over-simplification.) For Klein, the primary goal of development was to move from the former to the latter, although in reality, the relationship between the two is more dialectical than linear, similar to the relationship that exists between the conscious and unconscious minds. In other words, we no longer think of an unconscious mind per se, but a dialectical relationship between the conscious and unconscious. This dialectic can be fruitful and generative, or stultifying and self-defeating, but you can no more rid yourself of the unconscious than you could speak without the deep structure of grammar.

Human beings are subject to the nuisance of intrusive thoughts long before they are capable of thinking them. The problem for development is to build a psychic structure in which one may think thoughts instead of merely being thought by them. Naturally, our earliest psychological reality is almost wholly fantastic, and it is actually the primary job of the parent to prolong this fantasy until the baby becomes capable of discovering reality.

This is why you cannot “spoil” an infant. Rather, you must indulge them until they are resilient enough to tolerate the painful and disappointing discovery of reality. Ironically, this can only be achieved if they have a firm foundation of entitlement and generative fantasy -- for example, the fantasy that one’s painful hunger causes a bountiful breast to magically appear out of nowhere. This loving breast must be internalized before the baby makes the disappointing discovery that it actually belongs to mother (let alone, father), or reality will have to be attacked or rejected in some form or fashion. We must be provided with, and then gradually disillusioned of, our infantile omnipotence, on pain of trying to hold on to it for the rest of our lives.

The paranoid-schizoid position takes place in the first year of life. Naturally there is no clear sense of psychological boundaries at this time, which is why the psychoanalyst D.W. Winnicott made the famous remark that “there is no such thing as an infant.” Rather, there is only a harmonious, mixed-up fusion of mother and baby. The baby’s sense of individual selfhood will only gradually emerge from this primordial matrix.

Klein called this the “paranoid-schizoid position” because it is the source of our most primitive psychological defenses -- i.e., denial, splitting, and projection. These defenses are normative for a baby, but only become problematic to the extent that we fail to evolve into the depressive position. At this early age, we shouldn’t even think of them as defenses, but more as primitive modes of organizing otherwise chaotic experience. For example, splitting early experience into a “good” and “bad” breast is analogous to God’s separation of the primordial waters. It is an attempt to achieve safety by placing a distance between what are in reality different aspects of oneself. Projection obviously works the same way.

In the depressive position, the infant gradually integrates experience into a coherent self which is able to distinguish fantasy from reality. You might think that this is an unproblematic achievement, but you would be quite wrong. We all carry remnants of the paranoid-schizoid position, some much more so than others (in my book, I refer to these remnants as “mind parasites”).

For example, the borderline individual engages in severe splitting between good and bad. If you disappoint or frustrate them, they will suddenly perceive you as all bad, completely forgetting their many positive experiences with you. It is as if the “good you” no longer exists (this process should not be confused with garden-variety PMS). Likewise, a narcissistic individual only has use for you so long as you serve as a mirror for their primitive, paranoid-schizoid grandiosity. As soon as you fail to idealize them, they will react with anger or contempt in order to maintain their illusion of greatness.

The “manic defenses” are those defenses that prevent movement from the paranoid-schizoid to the depressive position, and include contempt, triumph, control and idealization. Basically, you can think of these defenses as coming into play when reality threatens to impinge upon fantasy. In fact, these defenses ultimately consist of attacks on a reality the individual has discovered but does not wish to perceive.

Yesterday we touched on the concept of “group fantasy.” In my view, the philosophy of secular leftism is very much rooted in the paranoid-schizoid position, whereas the classical liberalism embodied in the conservative intellectual movement is much more reflective of the depressive position. Here, I hope it should go without saying that I am not referring to individuals, as there are obviously many immature conservatives and mature liberals. Rather, I am specifically discussing the group dynamic.

If I am correct, then we will see in conservatism a much more sober and realistic assessment of mankind. As I have mentioned before, I am of the view that conservatism is as much an inclination, temperament, or “cast of mind” as it is any set doctrine. In fact, the doctrines follow from the temperament rather than vice versa. This would explain why normal people generally become more conservative as they mature and grow wiser, whereas leftism mostly appeals to the young or to the permanently immature of academia and Hollywood.

A while back, I wrote a post which summarized the main tenets of conservatism and liberalism. Let’s review them and see how they line up in terms of the paranoid-schizoid vs. depressive positions. I think they basically speak for themselves.

Russell Kirk summarized the six canons of conservative thought as

1. Belief in a transcendent order; and that most political problems are moral problems resulting from bad values. (To cite an obvious example, if Hispanic or Black Americans adopted Asian American values, they would be just as successful.)

2. Appreciation of the ineffable mystery of existence, and with it, opposition to the tedious uniformity, egalitarianism, and utilitarian aims of of most radical systems.

3. An understanding that liberty and equality are contradictory aims; a belief that there are distinctions between men and that classes will emerge naturally and spontaneously in a free society. “If natural distinctions are effaced among men, oligarchs fill the vacuum.”

4. A belief that property and freedom are intimately linked. “Economic leveling... is not economic progress.”

5. Distrust of radical schemes by liberal intellectuals “who would reconstruct society upon abstract designs” that simply mask the intellectual’s lust for power.

6. Recognition that change and reform are not synonymous, and that “prudent change is the means of social preservation.”

In contrast, contemporary left-liberalism has entirely different assumptions and attacks (manically, in my estimation) the existing social order on the following grounds:

1. “The perfectibility of man”; the belief that education, environment or legislation “can produce men like gods; they deny that humanity has a natural proclivity towards violence and sin.”

2. Contempt for tradition. “Formal religion is rejected and various ideologies are presented as substitutes.”

3. Political leveling: “Order and privilege are condemned,” accompanied by “an eagerness for centralization and consolidation.”

4. Economic leveling: “The ancient rights of property... are suspect to almost all radicals.”

In closing, here is a fine example of paranoid-schizoid thinking drawn from dailykos, with the edifying title The Bowel Has Moved. If we could give voice to the paranoid-schizoid position, this is exactly what it would sound like (although any infantile rant by Keith Olbermann or Bill Maher would do just as well). A mere three days ago, President Bush was a terrifying, omnipotent figure of pure evil destroying our democracy. But now, thanks to psychological splitting, he is “a weak man in over his head -- a Dan Quayle for our times.” And thanks to projection, Karl Rove, the “giant turd clogging the colon of American politics.... has been flushed.”

But there is one thing of which we may be absolutely certain: that the bad object will not stay down long, because, in the words of the great psychologist Dr. Beavis, “you can’t run away from your bunghole.”

Last night I dreamt of an angry, diapered mob chasing John Bolton with plungers....  

35 comments:

Anonymous said...

"This would explain why normal people generally become more conservative as they mature and grow wiser, whereas leftism mostly appeals to the young or to the permanently immature of academia and Hollywood."

This has always puzzled me, how a "modern liberal" can hold the same political views at 52 as he did at 18. The head games played and the effort expended to stay in that state of denial must be enormous.
Thanks for explaining some of the psychology behind it.

Anonymous said...

One of the rankest hypocrisies of Leftism is equality. Every social or economic policy of the Left invariably results in less equality of power than what went before. Pinkos talk about equality but work for uniformity of public appearance, at least for us equalizees. When did you last read anything about the lifestyles of your local leaders?

Anonymous said...

Hoarhey, I think it all ties in with the reason you don't see a lot of lefties having kids. Having children moves you into a new stage of life---and a lot of lefties *like* staying exactly where they were at 18-19. They even attempt to wear the same clothes and do the same activities (a source of endless amusement).

In all the novels, peoples and races blessed with long, or even eternal, life have little or no fertility, and never change. In nearly all such works, they grow ultimately bored with their existence, as young, fertile races brimming with chaos and change ultimately supplant them.

Anonymous said...

GB, bobbers:
Keep your collective chin up. What would your cosmos be like without an occasional thrashing? IMO though, you're devoting waay too many pixels to the election results. Remember, with your chin up, your nose is in the air. If I read you right, election results are for the horizontally resigned and inclined after all.

I had a friend stop by and ask what had happened to your site. I sent the following explanation. Enjoy. ( BTW, I do enjoy your postings, and the praise from the gallery. Always thought-provoking)

Speaking of sane bloggers and hidden significance, GB has a new alternate site, &^%$%com. He's attempting to cut down on the troll interaction by directing the faithful to a new blogsite where you have to identify yourself in order to post. It keeps the comments more directed as his hole-i-ness would have it, which is after all his whole and tireless point: that he is smarter than everyone else. Just step outside here and look as the universe echoes his truths:

No, not out that door-here...stand just here, inside this cubicle. Now look out at the whole universe...no, look over here, this way. Let me adjust that wall just a tad...isn't it all marvelous? Yes? My, you are destined for rapid ascension. I can tell.

I think I'll go post that on his site, to see how it fares. It's fun, like launching leaf boats after a rainstorm. Some make it all the way to the sewer.


Have fun kids. Stay safe.

Anonymous said...

Wo, anonymous dude, that was deep.

Eeevil Right Wing Nut said...

HEY!!! Who forgot to flush???

Anonymous said...

It may be an oversimplification- but compared with our host's eloquent musings, what isn't-it has always seemed to me that the leftist mindset is closer to permanent adolescence, whereas a conservative outlook is more 'adult' or mature.

The recent GDS epidemic that has swept the left side of the political spectrum for the last six years resembles the troubled adolescent's railing against their parents, while ignoring the larger picture of their relience on the parents for their well-being and sustenance.

To extend the metaphor, without the parents to rail against, the self absorbed, over indulged teenager would quickly cower in fear of the harshness of the real world.

Anonymous said...

OOPS,
the above should have read BDS, as in Bush Drangement Syndrome,

Anonymous said...

Anon. 12:25

You read through Bob's post and all you took from it was this?:
"IMO though, you're devoting waay too many pixels to the election results."

Pathetic.

Gecko said...

And it thinks it's funny.

Chip said...

There are elements (characteristics) of the vertical in the horizontal. I'm happy every time elections end with concessions, no litigation, and respect for the process. I consider process politics a higher and more important form of politics than the horse race of candidates. There's (hopefully) a bit of the eternal in the process and ideals of the system though the faces will change.

Anonymous said...

Anonoleft is good example of the paranoid-schizoid behavior of the left.
I will give it credit for avoiding the usual vile words that the left is so fond of using, but the message was vile, nevertheless.
The left can't tolerate anything that "makes" them feel like they aren't relevant; not important.
That's what they take away from Bob's posts.
The projection of smugness is amusing...and the implied: we are better than you attitude.
Petulant with a big pee is their attitude de jour. Learn the language kiddys, and you just might learn something valuable.
It's not about equality, it's about liberty.

Anonymous said...

" I'm happy every time elections end with concessions, no litigation, and respect for the process."

So Chip, are you saying you're happy everytime the Republicans lose? Because when Democrats lose, the exact opposite of what you described above is what happens.
Think about it.

Anonymous said...

Where do Christian lefists fit into this equation?

Anonymous said...

Dunno, what's a lefist?

Anonymous said...

Seriously, they fit in with the other leftists as a smaller group of leftists who are Christian. They are just ignorant of certain realities.

shoprat said...

A part of the liberal ecstasy combined with fury is that they think the game is now over and they have won. The conservatives have a longer view of history and realize that the team has just had a bad inning and the game goes on.

Anonymous said...

What, you'd have us post something...thoughtful? Relevant? An attempt to show some actual processing and reflective thinking? You aren't doing your homework, bobbers. That path is well worn, and leads only to the traits USN(RET) decries in the "opposition", then of course can't allow in himself.

Nah, we'll save those thoughts for audiences less threatened by differing viewpoints. But don't worry: this takes nothing away from the occasional splendor of the blog, the depth and scope of thought. It can be a wonderful thing. When the fear dies down.

Anonymous said...

Thank you, anon pfs. You are a very articulate spokesperson for your cluelessness.

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Dupe. Nothing to it. As your PreacherDaddy just explained (again), it's all in what you choose to look for.

Eeevil Right Wing Nut said...

anon, pfs, said...
What, you'd have us post something...thoughtful? Relevant? An attempt to show some actual processing and reflective thinking? You aren't doing your homework, bobbers. That path is well worn, and leads only to the traits USN(RET) decries in the "opposition", then of course can't allow in himself.

Nah, we'll save those thoughts for audiences less threatened by differing viewpoints. But don't worry: this takes nothing away from the occasional splendor of the blog, the depth and scope of thought. It can be a wonderful thing. When the fear dies down.


Translation:

This blog is a scary place and it makes me feel bad. I cannot bear the challenge to my worldview because I am unable to engage in the arena of ideas because I have none. I am unable to post anything thoughtful and relevant because I do not understand what is being discussed here. So I will feel better and more superior when I criticize and express thinly veiled condescension towards the speakers here rather than what the speakers say. I am so clever they probably don’t even realize I am actually insulting them while trying to appear magnanimous. hehehe

I’ll save my real brilliance for the “safe” blogs where I have an audience of like minded delusionals who will reaffirm the validity and genius of my feelings so I don’t have to risk actually having to defend my arguments logically with people who have an opposing view.

Truth???? I CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

erw(o)n:
I'm not being critical. I'm ridiculing. Learn the difference. Nor do I pretend to have any answers. That's why I spend time on the OC. I enjoy looking for them. Of course these ideas are scary and challenging. That's why I'm here.
Once more, into the breach: you bobbers continually rip pieces of your own body (psychic or physical, who cares the difference?) off in order to have something to fling at the imagined enemy. The enemy is closer than you realize.

Here's your nose, miss. You just tossed it at me.

Reminder: I'm here, learning. You're here too, apparently not "espousing your real brilliance in a safe blog surrounded by like-minded delusionals".

I repeat, for those not listening the first time: I have learned the hard way about coming into Bobber Turf with a thoughtful, opposing viewpoint. This is no place for discussion. You pride yourselves on the snide remark and the glib rejoinder, not the attempt to glean the intent of a question. Ask your own DeputyDupeDawg...or better yet, look at your own motives.

Fact is, I don't always have an opposing viewpoint. Except when the rank and vile devolve into their own insolegence, I pretty much read and learn. But when the mighty get puffed up, I don't mind having some fun.

Truth? It's wherever you find it. Even from a troll.

PS: Don't read that as thinly veiled condescension. Unlike you, I don't hold my personal opinions and values up as absolute truths. That entitles me to open condescension.

Anonymous said...

"I repeat, for those not listening the first time: I have learned the hard way about coming into Bobber Turf with a thoughtful, opposing viewpoint."

We're still waiting for something thoughtful. If your comments were even remotely thoughtful you wouldn't be getting treated like the mocking moron you come across as.
What passes for thoughtful on Daily Kos is seen here for what it is.....juvenile.

Anonymous said...

What took you so long, HH?

Let me repeat, for the slow:

"anonymous, pick from several"

It doesn't surprise me that you'd rather get personal than make the leap to realization that I didn't just arrive here yesterday, Mr. Personal Projection Personified. (Yes, do your homework.That would be you - But erwon's latest shows her eying the title...)

Had open discussion of differences of opinion proved fruitful rather than consistently devolving into juvenile name calling (sound familiar?)by the bobbers toward the dissenters, maybe I'd have become one of the acknowledged faithful instead of one of the unacknowledged faithful. I now view this site as a "my way or the highway" (irony intended), fast-food stop rather than a place for serious digestion. Not to say that I don't enjoy the food. I keep coming back. But:

I no longer care to exchange ideas with those who already know it all. My personal tastes run to beginner's mind (set). But I'm not above pulling a chair out from under you at the Loser's Banquet.

Anonymous said...

"I no longer care to exchange ideas...."

Well, at least you learned something about yourself here.

Look nobody here gives a rats ass whether or not you've been offended today or 6 months ago and nobody cares to delve into that abyss you call a mind to figure you out.
Suffice to say that only when you learn to overcome the victim mentality of feeling slighted by anyone and everyone (which only serves to add more grudges to the list) will you be able to digest any discussion and discern any truth. Otherwise everything will be filtered through your resentments.

"Had open discussion of differences of opinion proved fruitful rather than consistently devolving into juvenile name calling (sound familiar?)by the bobbers toward the dissenters, maybe I'd have become one of the acknowledged faithful instead of one of the unacknowledged faithful"

By your own admission you've closed yourself off to any progress because..."Mommy, their bein' mean to me!"

Get over yourself.

P.S.
By the way, I thought you promised Bob you wouldn't bother people here anymore, you attention seeking little twit.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous PFS--

Bob is not here to argue, certainly not with people such as yourself. He's simply here to share his vision, partly so that he can discover what it is himself. If you consider him "fearful," or "threatened," or bullying, or somehow in need of idealization from readers, you should reject everything he writes, because it would mean that he is a phony and a fraud. Don't kid yourself that there is some small part of his work that will be useful to you, so long as your larger perceptions of his low character are accurate. We welcome dissent, but we do enforce a minimum height standard before you can get on the ride.

Eeevil Right Wing Nut said...

The mean ole bobbieheads hurted its widdle feelings? Awww you poor baby!!!!

So since you can't be king, you've decided to be the court jester.

Lisa said...

hey cuz-

what do you have against short people? I'm so offended!!! plus I like to think of myself as vertically challenged on a horizontal plane! At least we're not as bad as those damn snakes! ;0) Randy Newman is wrong! (indignant snarf concludes mini-rant!)

Anonymous said...

Dupe, find me a man who's not a phony and a fraud when standing in the light of spiritual truth, and I'll be right over. Me and you included. Bluster, a high forehead, and endless repetition of personal truths don't render one immune to delusion and the caprice of ego. Wisdom and insight don't make whining and insult any less distasteful.

DailyKos got nothin' on you & the bobbers when it comes to dungslinging. Over there it comes with the territory. Over here it messes up the flooring.

That the hh's and the erwon's don't acknowledge that dark aspect of themselves should be proof enough that delusion cuts across, yes, even the sacred "why" axis.

As for welcoming dissent (for any reason other than recreation, which is why I'm here today), your actions don't support your statement. "We allow dissent" is more accurate, and then only so long as it meets a minimum right requirement. And I'm using that word in the objective, not the subjective, form.

Anonymous said...

Well, in any event, it's clear enough that Bob can only provide you with a whole lot of what you can't use, but I'll let him know how you feel.

Anonymous said...

Dupe:

Sputter, huff, harrumph!

You read through all my postings and all you took from it was this?

Pathoughtic.

Thanks. Ease up on the rubes.

Chip said...

hoarhey,

Yes, the Democrats act like spoiled children when they lose. They seem to have an end-justifies-means view of politics based only in the short term. But I still think the functioning of the process is more important than who wins in the short term.

It wasn't that long ago that both parties had a few adults in charge. Hopefully the new crop of Democrats will replace the hippies still rebelling from their parents.

Anonymous said...

Chip,

Since the Dems have such a slim margin particularly in the Senate, perhaps their leadership will float all their socialist ideas to show their hand to the American public and then be thwarted by the minority and a handfull of independent democrats.
I heard that Joe Leiberman is officially labeling himself as an Independent Democrat as opposed to just a plain old dem. Since the dems jettisoned him but he won anyway, he may be a bit hard to control and he may take a few others with him.
One can only hope as the rebellious hippies are firmly in control of the leadership of that party.

Just Me said...

You wrote:

"For example, the borderline individual engages in severe splitting between good and bad. If you disappoint or frustrate them, they will suddenly perceive you as all bad, completely forgetting their many positive experiences with you. It is as if the “good you” no longer exists (this process should not be confused with garden-variety PMS.)"

First, let me point out to you that your description of borderline personality disorder itself lacks synthesis. You are engaging in black and white description.

The reality is that some people with this disorder see things in all black and white, engage in "severe" splitting and shift suddenly from a love to hate relationship.

What actually happens, from an experiential point of view, is that my relationship with a person I dearly love can turn into one where I am extremely afraid, vulnerable and hurt. My body is built to instinctively turn those feelings into anger as a defense -- why is a question for another day, but that is what happens.

That anger is vicious. It causes me to say things that would make it appear as if I have "forgotten" all the loving things that went on before. That's not right at all. All the love and experiences are right there -- in fact, they are what make it so painful, because it is the fear of losing that that causes such hurt.

Further, the "switch" can come back just as quickly. Your description makes it seem one way. I can go from being angry to not being angry quickly. What it usually takes is a "reset," akin to resetting a breaker switch. I need to reset the circuits in my brain.

Hard to live with? No doubt. Impossible? Possibly. However, your description fails to posit the truth that this is one of the personality disorders with the highest degree of curability! All these things are related to physiology and experience.

I understand your point. You are using your big brain to explain to the minions how much you know about things. What you fail to realize is that by stereotyping in an insulting way without softening, you are in fact driving daggers in the hearts of those of us who come later and read this. Some may accept it as truth, which is why I am writing my response.

Borderline personality disorder is not a whipping boy for whacky behavior, nor is PMS. Anyone who really understands either of these conditions would understand that ridicule is the last thing that would help.

Gagdad Bob said...

What can I say, except that my writing is not intended for those who cannot benefit from it.

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