<
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/jan/29/donald-trump-americans-us-culture-republican>
"Many explanations are proposed for the continued rise of Donald Trump, and the
steadfastness of his support, even as the outrages and criminal charges pile
up. Some of these explanations are powerful. But there is one I have seen
mentioned nowhere, which could, I believe, be the most important: Trump is king
of the extrinsics.
Some psychologists believe our values tend to cluster around certain poles,
described as “intrinsic” and “extrinsic”. People with a strong set of intrinsic
values are inclined towards empathy, intimacy and self-acceptance. They tend to
be open to challenge and change, interested in universal rights and equality,
and protective of other people and the living world.
People at the extrinsic end of the spectrum are more attracted to prestige,
status, image, fame, power and wealth. They are strongly motivated by the
prospect of individual reward and praise. They are more likely to objectify and
exploit other people, to behave rudely and aggressively and to dismiss social
and environmental impacts. They have little interest in cooperation or
community. People with a strong set of extrinsic values are more likely to
suffer from frustration, dissatisfaction, stress, anxiety, anger and compulsive
behaviour.
Trump exemplifies extrinsic values. From the tower bearing his name in gold
letters to his gross overstatements of his wealth; from his endless ranting
about “winners” and “losers” to his reported habit of cheating at golf; from
his extreme objectification of women, including his own daughter, to his
obsession with the size of his hands; from his rejection of public service,
human rights and environmental protection to his extreme dissatisfaction and
fury, undiminished even when he was president of the United States, Trump,
perhaps more than any other public figure in recent history, is a walking,
talking monument to extrinsic values."
Via Lisa Stranger and Kenny Chaffin.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
