I’ve been thinking this week about how artists are self reflective but it doesn’t always result in them being nice. But there’s no doubt a lack of self awareness is a sure fire route to assholery.
Very interesting. Only this morning I was saying to my lady wife that if a certain (UK) politician who is currently under investigation regarding tax had any integrity he would have resigned by now. I'm not sanguine that people who have been brought up to regard themselves as wonderful can ever learn to not feel a huge sense of entitlement. Perhaps if they meditate or find religion or something in order to get them to look into themselves and self-reflect, but otherwise?
Well done for banning someone. I think that episode is quite ironic given the focus of this piece.
There’s nothing worse than entitlement. It excuses all manner of rotten behavior.
Regarding the ban, it was ironic. I had to read the comment a couple times before it hit me. I could hardly believe what I was reading. “Did he really just…?” Yes, he did. (Bye, Felicia.)
I allowed myself to enter into a correspondence with someone who in one email I thought had insulted me. I dismissed it as probably having been a clumsy way of expressing himself. Then in his next email he doubled down! I haven't bothered to answer it, but I feel like a fool for having given him the benefit of the doubt in the first place. And yes, you're spot on about entitlement excusing bad behaviour.
Great review - super well written and very helpful. Thanks for doing this!
Thanks, Christian. I was delighted when I saw Pigliucci cite your work. The Character Gap is a tremendous book.
Sorry - just saw this. Really appreciate the kind words. Thanks so much!
I’ve been thinking this week about how artists are self reflective but it doesn’t always result in them being nice. But there’s no doubt a lack of self awareness is a sure fire route to assholery.
Yes. There has to be some willingness to change. Otherwise, you just excuse or embrace whatever you discover as you look inward.
Very interesting. Only this morning I was saying to my lady wife that if a certain (UK) politician who is currently under investigation regarding tax had any integrity he would have resigned by now. I'm not sanguine that people who have been brought up to regard themselves as wonderful can ever learn to not feel a huge sense of entitlement. Perhaps if they meditate or find religion or something in order to get them to look into themselves and self-reflect, but otherwise?
Well done for banning someone. I think that episode is quite ironic given the focus of this piece.
There’s nothing worse than entitlement. It excuses all manner of rotten behavior.
Regarding the ban, it was ironic. I had to read the comment a couple times before it hit me. I could hardly believe what I was reading. “Did he really just…?” Yes, he did. (Bye, Felicia.)
I allowed myself to enter into a correspondence with someone who in one email I thought had insulted me. I dismissed it as probably having been a clumsy way of expressing himself. Then in his next email he doubled down! I haven't bothered to answer it, but I feel like a fool for having given him the benefit of the doubt in the first place. And yes, you're spot on about entitlement excusing bad behaviour.