Narcissism in older media: distinguish news, opinion and satire

The word narcissism appears in political commentary, workplace advice, entertainment and accounts of difficult relationships. Those uses do not all mean the same thing. This older media collection is now an archive with a guide to reading the material critically.

The original selection contains material linked to 2017. It is not a feed of today’s news. The preserved publisher links below identify the older pieces; they have not all been rechecked for current availability. A link in this archive is not an endorsement of its headline or every claim it contains.

Identify what kind of piece you are reading

An opinion column interprets an event. A personal account describes an experience. A report about a study should identify the original research and its limitations. A satirical story uses invention for humour or criticism. These forms may share a striking headline while offering very different kinds of evidence.

For example, the linked Girl Scouts story is part of The New Yorker’s Borowitz Report. The publisher labels that series as satire. It must not be repeated as a factual report of a restraining order. The archive previously placed it beside other items without making that difference clear.

A headline cannot diagnose a person

Calling a politician, manager or television participant a narcissist does not establish a clinical diagnosis. You can examine a public statement or a harmful action without claiming to know someone’s psychiatric condition. Ask which observable behaviour is actually being described.

Similarly, keeping in contact with an ex-partner does not by itself establish psychopathy, narcissism or a particular intention. Before applying a research headline to someone, check what the study measured, who took part and whether the conclusion goes beyond those findings.

Personal recognition and source checking can coexist

An account of a painful relationship or a support group may offer recognition. That does not prove that the writer’s interpretation explains your situation, or that an online community guarantees healing. Privacy, moderation and the quality of advice still matter.

You do not need to settle a diagnosis before taking threats, humiliation or coercion seriously. Focus on the behaviour, its impact and the support you need. Media reading should make a question clearer, rather than turn another person into a label.

Use this archive for one modest task

Choose one old link and ask: what is the genre, date and original source? Which statement is an observation and which is an interpretation? What would need verification before I share it as a fact today? You can also decide that a sensational piece is not useful to your current question.

Preserved publisher links

A reported celebrity comment about Donald Trump

A workplace column about a difficult manager

A magazine report about research and contact with former partners

An article about an online support community

An older relationship-advice article

Political commentary about a public speech

A television commentary piece

Girl Scouts story — satire from The Borowitz Report; see also the publisher’s satire label.

Further reading: Dutch guide to narcissism and clinical terminology.

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Toxic people and their organizations cause great damage to society. Everyone is subject to it and our society is increasingly moving towards even more narcissistic anti-democratic tendencies. That’s why we give you the growth tasks for free. They are full of self-care tips, self-healing tips and options for trauma processing so that you have more opportunities.

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For further reading on self-awareness and relationships: ** How to Be the Love You Seek by Nicole LePera (English e-book).

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