Fear of bizarre images and possibilites that defy reality can reasonably be said to be pathological but measured caution and concern about the things, animals and humans around us may well be a healthy survival adaptation–that too often is classified as paranoia.
Andy Grove, the former chairman of Intel, one of the most brilliant Americans in history, wrote the book:
A. S. Grove (1996). “Only the Paranoid Survive.” Doubleday. ISBN 0385482582.
Were people who sold their homes over a year ago, fearing a decline in home prices, paranoid? Were people who sharply reduced their stock market holdings last summer or early fall, paranoid? Are people who ride the NYC subways with a high alert for potential muggers or pickpockets, paranoid? Or what about people who avoid jogging at night or early morning hours in Central Park?
Unfortunately, it is often the naive and overly complacent who are in a position to label those of us who live in the real world where other people are preying on vulnerable people (the elderly, the infirm, the young and inexperienced, the uneducated), where other drivers do not obey traffic laws (don’t stop at stop signs, go through red lights, change lanes without signaling, and drive while intoxicated or under the influence); people who sell phony or poorly made products; service companies like auto repair shops that do not really do the work, do work that is not needed or shoddy work that endangers you, people who will break into your car to steal anything they can; rapists and muggers prowling the streets; burglars breaking into your home, etc. And then of course there are the terrorists intent on hijacking planes and flying them into buildings or blowing up planes, trains and buildings.
I would suggest that even more dangerous than excessive paranoidness is excessive complacency or optimism, optimism and trust that causes one to ignore dangers or shortcomings that those who are more scrutinizing and critical clearly see. What I am talking about can apply to everything from consumer purchases to risk taking behavior. It also can apply to presidential candidate choices, foreign policy and military preparedness and military policy.
The bad guys tend to take advantage of the gullible, weak and ill prepared, as well as those they perceive to be unwilling or incapable of acting in their own defense.
Americans should think long and hard about the people who are now running for president and ask themselves if they have really vetted in their minds the candidates they are now backing or planning to vote for. Things like experience and demonstrations of patriotism and integrity might be some important considerations if one is concerned about our national survival and national security.
— lutherking
Now we have Depakote & Seroquel and everyone from Britney Spears to the kid next door is suddenly bipolar. So the dime store doc never bothered to read my history or anything else... so bipolar it is... this week!
Could it be that I’m just moody or having a bad day? Could it be that your annoying personality is getting under my skin? Or that maybe, just, maybe I have good reason to be angry or upset? It couldn't possibly be that years of chronic stress have finally just pushed me over the edge?
I’ve also been diagnosed with just about everything else that appears within the spectrum of anxiety disorders, so is it any wonder that I find it a little bit unnerving to place myself in the oh so capable hands of a shrink who seems to have gotten his degree out of some cracker jack box-- because surely no competent medical professional would dare place me on just about every sedative and anti-psychotic medication or threaten to have me institutionalized simply because I suggested he may actually want to treat me rather than medicate me... but that would be too labor intensive for a shrink who divides his time between the local community mental health agency and the county jail.
FUN! I'm certifiable now!!!
So rather than take the time to listen to a word I have to say, or try something archaic like actually evaluating my symptoms and reviewing my medical history before treating me with the latest and greatest R&D breakthrough to hit the Pharmaceutical Industry since Penicillin, he ivied out the closest box of free pharma samples within reach.
I have and taken pretty much every pill.
If I’m happy I’m grandiose. If I’m sad, I’m chronically depressed. If I’m angry I’m paranoid. When I’m confident I’m narcissistic, and when I’m excited I must be manic. Couldn'’t it just be that you’re constant bullshit is really just pissing me the fuck off?
Or could it?
FULL TEXT AVAILABLE: http://thepowersthatbeat.blogspot.com/2010/03/deepest-link.html
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