articles

460. When dumb people think they are Intelligent

There are many people who aren’t actually very intelligent, but believe they are.

459. The Difference Between Having a Legitimate Opinion and Being Overly Opinionated

I examine how opinions are shared and the dynamics of opinion suppression in Europe.

458. Betrayal Is a Part of Any Relationship With a Narcissist

If you are in a long-term relationship with a malignant narcissist, you will almost inevitably experience betrayal at some point.

457. When It Gets to That Point, It’s Already Too Late

Learning from history is necessary to not repeat the past.

456. When Will I Decline Communication?

There are certain situations where declining communication is completely legitimate.

455. The Only Thing Anyone Would Ever Want From a Narcissist

What narcissists do to other people is so horrific, it can’t consciously be forgiven.

454. Qingdao Metro (Video)

I visited Qingdao in May this year.

453. How to Spot a Voyeur

Some narcissists are voyeuristic, which is why it’s helpful to know what to look for.

452. When Your Life and Relationships Aren’t Yours Anymore

One of the greatest dangers with certain people is that they may steal your identity.

451. Do Narcissists Research Narcissism?

When a person enters your life telling you they’ve researched narcissism, be careful. They might be a narcissist.

450. Metacognition: Thinking Critically About the Way You Think

The ability to reflect on our own thoughts is called metacognition.

449. Unconscious, Disrespectful, and Dumb—but Thinks He's the Exact Opposite

When you’re dealing with a narcissist, everything gets turned around.

448. The Crazy Things They Do and Still Think They’re Right

Malignant narcissists are always dangerous, but some truly are worse than others.

447. The Masters of Chaos

The masters of chaos are people who create chaos in other people’s lives.

446. How to Travel Cheaply and Comfortably on China’s Fast Trains

Chinese bullet trains come with many conveniences.

445. After Almost Six Years: Seeing My Children Again in Siping

I took a fast train in early June to see my children again after almost six years of separation.

444. Stalking and Boundaries

Stalkers tend to violate another person’s boundaries horrifically.

443. When an Adult Man Refuses to Grow Up

Some men attempt to force women into the role of a mother in relation to them.

442. Fascism Doesn’t Always Wear a Uniform

According to the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, there are 14 early warning signs of fascism.

441. When You Have the Status of a Slave

When someone sees themselves as superior, they may treat you like a “slave,” assigning you no worth of your own.

440. How to Spot Erotomania

Erotomania is a mental disorder where a person projects onto you that you are in love with them.

439. When You’re Considered to Be a Person Who Has No Rights

Certain narcissists enjoy treating people as though there was a true caste system in place.

438. When You're Being Forced To Overspend

Narcissists may force you to overspend by pretending you need to spend money to be considered a worthwhile human being.

437. Scapegoats: The Unfair Targets of Others’ Wrongdoing

There’s hardly anything worse than being made the scapegoat.

436. Speaking Up Shouldn’t Cost Us Everything​

Over the past few years, I’ve dealt with more attacks on my credibility than I can count.

435. "My Ex-husband Also Had Affairs"

I chat with the owner of a hostel in Qingdao.

434. When Someone Takes Up Too Much Space

When a person takes up so much space that others can’t, they’re not being considerate of other people.

433. When Your Goals Are Sabotaged by Narcissists

Sabotage is sometimes obvious, but often it’s hidden.

432. Spyware: The Hidden Threat in Your Phone

Spyware can be used to stalk and surveil you, and it has been found to be used on a massive scale.

431. Abuse of Power

Abuse of power is when power is abused in a way where it is to the detriment of another person.

430. The One Kind of Person You Don't Want to Encounter at Night

Machiavellians are the most dangerous kind of people you can encounter.

429. Understanding and Recognizing Emotional Incest

Emotional incest is most commonly known as a form of abuse that happens in parent-child relationships.

428. From Lhasa to Hogwarts: Growing Up With Books

I have always been a lover of the written word.

427. When A Person Thinks They are God-like

Narcissists sometimes develop a God complex, thinking they are infallible.

426. The Four Tendencies: Rebels and Questioners

Each of us are born with one main tendency: either Rebel, Questioner, Upholder or Obliger.

425. What is Reverse Racism?

Reverse racism refers to discrimination against individuals—often White people—based on their race.

424. Narcissistic Triangulation: When Two Becomes Three

Every narcissist triangulates, and it can feel rather uncomfortable when they do.

423. When Abusers Deny the Abuse and Silence Their Victims

When you speak up about having experienced abuse, the perpetrator will often deny what happened and try to silence you.

422. The Stages of Bullying

Bullying often unfolds in distinct stages.

421. Caught in the Grip: The Experience of Being Engulfed

Engulfment is a common tactic used by narcissists to trap their victims.

420. Bossing: When Control Is Imposed Without Consent

Bossing is a form of bullying in the context of a power dynamic where one person has or imposes power over another.

419. China's Newer Metro Systems Are Very Effective

Taking the metro in China’s megacities is a convenient way to get around.

418. To a Real Narcissist (and Racist), Nothing Is Ever Good Enough

To a true narcissist — especially one with racist views — nothing is ever good enough.

417. Is it the Right Direction?

Direction matters.

416. The Limits of Tolerance

Just as with anything, there are limits to what we are able to tolerate.

415. Not a Match​

When dating, the first step is to find a suitable match—not someone who is completely incompatible.

414. Gaslighting: When Carrots Are Called Potatoes (and You’re Supposed to Agree)

Gaslighting is what abusers use to make you doubt your reality.

413. Why Are You Constantly Talking About Your Father?

I am not a fan of triangulation, and I have asked you to stop.

412. When Someone Claims They're An Empath, But They Are Not​

Some people use manipulation to pretend they have a skill they don’t actually have.

411. From Rights to Ruin: The Narcissist’s World Order

Narcissists have a long history of destroying other people’s lives.

410. Control, Control, and ... Even More Control

Some narcissists are rather unrelaxed human beings who … stress other people out all the time.

409. Yes, Other People Are Allowed to Have Boundaries

Go, figure!

408. Spam Comments​

These are some recent spam comments I’ve received.

407. Dangerous and Non-dangerous Racism

When it comes to racism, there is a significant difference between harmful and non-harmful forms.

406. No, I Wouldn't

(Or: You don’t get to choose that.)

405. Is It a Need or a Want?​

A need means something is necessary for survival; a want means it is not.

404. Let Me Repeat My Boundary​

Let me say it again: I am interested in neither you nor your daddy.

403. The Dangers of Incel Groups: When a Person Changes Beyond Recognition

Someone I once knew completely changed after becoming involved in incel forums.

402. When the Narrative Is Stolen from the Victim

A victim who tells her story truthfully is powerful, but often, others steal her story and share it inaccurately.

401. Groups and Rules

Typically, groups have spoken or unspoken rules that must be followed if you want to remain a part of them.