The tricky part about this particular delusion is both that there is so much actual observation of one all the time - and that we are encouraged to be fascinated by ourselves as a sign of self-love and self-care. It’s not hard to see how mental illness could easily latch onto these phenomena.
Is it super weird that I might watch a Truman Show-type show about a bipolar Olympic sailor?
Interesting thought, but I also see a big distinction between observation of self ("looking inward") and observation of others. The first one is a good thing. Like meditation. The second one is surveillance-y shit. Pretty inhumane. It makes people nuts.
And I would be right there with you watching that Truman Show-type show about the Olympian. He needs to write a book! :P
My point about the encouragement of even, "positive," absorption in oneself is that it can make it easy believe that others would be equally fascinated.
The tricky part about this particular delusion is both that there is so much actual observation of one all the time - and that we are encouraged to be fascinated by ourselves as a sign of self-love and self-care. It’s not hard to see how mental illness could easily latch onto these phenomena.
Is it super weird that I might watch a Truman Show-type show about a bipolar Olympic sailor?
Interesting thought, but I also see a big distinction between observation of self ("looking inward") and observation of others. The first one is a good thing. Like meditation. The second one is surveillance-y shit. Pretty inhumane. It makes people nuts.
And I would be right there with you watching that Truman Show-type show about the Olympian. He needs to write a book! :P
My point about the encouragement of even, "positive," absorption in oneself is that it can make it easy believe that others would be equally fascinated.
Oh wow - yes, totally! Powerful point!!
WOW. Bizarre. And strangely relatable.
References to David Foster Wallace, Philip K Dick and James Joyce are always wonderful.