Why is it that crazy people never have the astonishing revelation that they aren't special

[bec_87rb]

That's my question: Why is it that crazy people never have the astonishing revelation that they aren't special, that they aren't the chosen one, that their opinions are trivial? I wanna know

Comments

[mothwentbad]

Because I don't want them to think that.

[bec_87rb]

Ha ha! So you're the overlord of crazy people, and you get to decide what crazy people believe - I thought I detected some intelligent design. *sly appreciative look*

Can you get them to believe something that will cause them to do work for me for free? Mow my lawn, for instance?

[mothwentbad]

Hell, no, I can't do that. My control is limited. I can't even get a decent harem for myself going. :(

[onlyariana]

Well, maybe there *are* crazy people who imagine themselves to be ordinary things but we don't hear about them. Of course the ones who think themselves special will make a big stink and fuss and we'll all turn and look at them. Who is really paying attention to the plumbers, hot dog vendors, and garbage men? How do you know there aren't quite a few of them who are totally off their rockers?

[bec_87rb]

A wise thought. I suspect my dentist is really a homeless woman squatting in the offices of someone who died but who had paid the rent on the office space like 5 years in advance.

Of course, I suspect that of all medical professionals, that they are insane people who are pretending. And those people in the kitchens of the cafeteria at work - that grill man is suspicious. I asked him, so, which of these do you recommend? He looked at the fixings for the grilled sandwiches he prepares everyday and says with disgust, "OH, gawd, I wouldn't eat that stuff." "Oh, okay," says I, "neither will I."

Does he see Satan grinning up at him from the pre-formed meat patties? A host of insect-like demons jabbering and dancing amongst the tomato slices? Never can be too sure.

[tardis60]

Of course, I suspect that of all medical professionals, that they are insane people who are pretending.

According to my dad, anyone who comes through medical school clutching a doctorate degree is, by virtue of their experience, insane. Anyway it's too tempting to get a god complex over having some small perceived sway over the powers of life and death.

[tardis60]

Is it because that is a universal deep wish - to be special, chosen, anointed for greatness and brilliant insightful thought?

Yes.

Nonetheless, why does no one go mad and think he's a bored plumber from Illinois, or an ugly hot dog vendor in NYC, or a garbage man?I like this idea, though. I like it a lot. It's a common story theme for people in positions of power and prestige to wish themselves rid of its responsibility, such as in the fable of the Prince and the Pauper, or to give a more recent example, the Doctor in the new series envying simple humans who can settle down and not feel the weight of the continuum on their shoulders. But such spells are often brief and just in time the hero comes to his senses, knuckles under and saves the world. But what if an ordinary person caught up in the grind of life's mundane gears thinks of himself as a spoke on a different wheel, just for the change of scenery, and goes on quietly believing himself to be that? I suppose it's because people with delusions of mundanity often have to put

[vovat]

I just find it overwhelmingly unbelievable that, for instance, Dorothy, when faced with the Technicolor Oz where good and evil are clearly delineated and there is no social or legal construct to prevent her from killing that which she perceives to be a threat, would yearn for the soul-grinding flatness of tornado-wracked, muslin-colored Kansas. Would the fantastic really begin to pall so soon after arriving, or is it that she gave in to the initial sting of homesickness which would have eventually faded, had she given it time? Is it some sense of pride in what belongs to her family, however humble; 'be grateful for what you've got'?

Well, in the original books, Dorothy eventually comes to live in Oz, and brings her aunt and uncle with her. So I think it's mostly a family connection that brought her back, which makes sense to a certain extent.

[tardis60]

Well, in the original books, Dorothy eventually comes to live in Oz, and brings her aunt and uncle with her. So I think it's mostly a family connection that brought her back, which makes sense to a certain extent.

Oh, good. I've only ever read the first one and... um... title escapes me... 'The [Something] Princess of Oz,' methinks? It's been too long. But I have a friend who's read them all and loves them.

[vovat]

The Lost Princess of Oz, maybe? There's also The Silver Princes in Oz, but that wasn't written by L. Frank Baum, and is a little harder to come by these days.

[k1cup]

I think there are degrees of nuttiness. Meaning, I see most nuts as insecure, ergo most people are nutty, and those that are real Peanut Brittles have totally compensated for their insecurities by having delusions of grandeur.

BTW, I cut the classes devoted to psych so what the Hell do I know?

[bec_87rb]

You know, of course, that I'm not singling you out. :) I just have the thought in reaction to the white coat in general - hm, wonder if they are just pretending? How would I know?

I kinda think what most ordinary people lack is power and self-determination, and are told by this society, at least, that they could grow up and be president, so there are expectations wildly out of proportion with most people's capabilities and luck. So maybe when the wiring is shot, the person imagines scenarios in which they are secretly powerful, are secretly the center of things, as a wish fulfillment fantasy.

[bryce]

I'm totally snagging your time traveller delusion. In fact I'm sure I must've already told you about it in the future we both came from.

[bec_87rb]

Hmm, could be ... your face is somehow familiar. :)

[bec_87rb]

.. I mean, your face will be familiar. Something like that.