Sociopathy is cool now?

[NotMemorable]

I'm not really an active member of The Escapists but yeah, I just like to lurk around and stuff. So, lately I've noticed people "brag" about being a sociopath (ie emotionally numb) or fantasies of killing people, anyone else notice this? I mean wth guys, when did it become cool to be a sociopath?

Obviously there's bound to be an actual sociopath around with this much members, but half the time I see someone claim such a thing I get the feeling it's bs.

I think I blame Dexter.

 

[badgersprite]

You don't spend a lot of time on the internet do you?

 

[Inverse Skies]

I haven't noticed this trend.... and that seems like a really good thing to me, because that is just downright creepy to be honest.

 

[Queen Michael]

Hmph. If you're emotionally numb, you can't feel happy about manga! And then what's the point, hmmm?

 

[Blackadder51]

When wasnt it cool?

Seriously though, its cooler in people minds to hear that you level of badass-ness and possibly raises the respect of those people as well. Its nature to think wrong is cool, for example Grease, were the Jocks were coolest because they were badass

<color=FFFFFF>if it doesnt make sense fuck off then

 

[Iron Mal]

Sadly, the trend of 'angsty' teenagers who claim to hate everything and everyone etc. has become quite popular.

I'm easily anti-social and a bit of a misanthrope when the mood strikes me but I'm certainly not a sociopath, to truely be a sociopath (in my opinion) is quite a strong claim to make (kind of like when you say you love or hate something, they're strong words and really hating something takes quite a lot to achieve).

But of course it gives young people (which I should technically be associated with) an excuse to get moody and 'rebel' which being a socially and emotionally healthy individual would normally get in the way of.

 

[Kollega]

Yes. Yes it is. Because it's kewl,edgy,and subversive.

I,personaly,would like to be a Heroic Sociopath - killing not random people,only those who piss me off.

 

[A random person]

It's because sociopathy is funny, hence the existence of comedic sociopathy [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ComedicSociopathy]. It's largely in jest.

Also Max.

 

[Lord George]

Because this is the internet damn it. Most people aren't socipaths there just angsty, to be sociopathic you have to actually be able to manipulate people and I get the feeling most internet sociopaths are anti-social loners who'd have trouble talking to real people never mind fucking with their minds and relationships.

In fact I believe my first thread on the escapist was partly trolling about sociopathy and emoness, of course I got a lot of well thought out and intelligent replies and decided to stay around the forum . Of course the cold thing didn't take off on this forum until a certain reaper started trying to be cool and edgy and others seemed to follow, I don't want to be one of those guys who rails against how the forums have degraded from the good old days but still its part of the problem.

 

[MelasZepheos_v1legacy]

Most people aren't. It's just what happens on the internet. There have also been crazes of it being cool to be asbergers so you can justify your lack of social life, or asexual to explain ongoing virginity.

Sociopathy is the cool new way of being angsty to the level of a Live Journal, but still retaining the slightest modicum of cool. (Anyone remember all those 'omg people are just sheep I'm the only sane human'? That's basically what the so-called sociopaths think they are.)

 

[Samurai Goomba]

Well, anything to be part of the counterculture.

I can tell you where the trend started on The Escapist, but I'm not going to.

 

[ZeroMachine]

Most people aren't. It's just what happens on the internet. There have also been crazes of it being cool to be asbergers so you can justify your lack of social life, or asexual to explain ongoing virginity.

Sociopathy is the cool new way of being angsty to the level of a Live Journal, but still retaining the slightest modicum of cool. (Anyone remember all those 'omg people are just sheep I'm the only sane human'? That's basically what the so-called sociopaths think they are.)

Very well put.

It's like I say to everyone that says the absolute bullshit line "I'm emmotionally numb, I would have no qualms about killing another human being, I wouldn't have an issue with it yada yada lolz". Pfft, right, you wouldn't have a problem while a good chunk of soldiers fighting wars do...

 

[Chipperz]

See, I don't have a massive problem with the thirteen year olds who think that the best way of looking cool is to say that they hate things and go on about how they're going to kill stuff. They're easy to ignore.

What pisses me off are the people that pop up in EVERY thread that is even slightly related to any kind of criminal or stupid activity and say "This has just killed the last of my faith in humanity."

Has it? Has it REALLY? Is your belief so easily manipulated by the actions of a few? Are you so sure that humanity is shit and it's not just news stations going with the worst stories to get viewers? No, no all humanity must be shit because a small percentage of the population is. We should be wiped out, because clearly you're not just easily manipulated.

 

[-Orgasmatron-]

Don't you know? Being a sociopath is edgy and cool on the internet.

 

[Nemu]

It's the internet, people can be whoever they want to be here, so folks try and paint themselves in the "coolest" light possible.

*shrugs*

It sounds better for them to say that they are sociopaths (et al), because they're liable to get more attention (good/bad/indifferent responses aplenty) than, say, the person who says they work 9-5 at WalMart stocking shelves and watches American Idol.

 

[The Rockerfly]

Because it makes you look like a badass and since on the internet you are anonymous who's going to prove you wrong?

I can tell you where the trend started on The Escapist, but I'm not going to.

Please do, I am interested to know

 

[Jim Grim]

"Hey guys, I'm a sociopath!" Oh really, and I assume you're also a registered psychologist/psychiatrist with enough experience to give yourself such a diagnosis? No? Thought not.

 

[Woodsey]

Furthermore, the internet is relatively anonymous - people probably feel more comfortable admitting to that kind of thing here than they do in real life.

They're not admitting anything, they're trying to be 'ard because they think people will think they're cool (like the OP says).

The guys who say it are probably weedy little nerds.

 

[Desert Tiger]

Because they're lonely and automatically assume it's because they are born killers and not because they don't wash themselves properly.