"Anathema!"
Ironically enough, I must note that extreme Narcissism can be produced by low self-esteem, as well as Megalomania (often cycling in the same person)! I have recently noticed a great deal of sycophantic behaviour & groupthink which seem to perpetuate this phenomenon....
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What is a sycophant, anyway?
"The idea of encouraging the citizens to assist in the detection of crime or treason against the state was commendable; it was not the use, but the abuse of the privilege that was so injurious. Allusions to the sycophants are frequent in Aristophanes and the Attic orators. The word is now generally used in the sense of a cringing flatterer of the great. (italics added)" - The LoveToKnow Free "Classic" Online Encyclopedia, based on the eleventh edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica, first published in 1911.
The Mavens' Word of the Day clarifies that "The only current sense of sycophant in English is 'a self-seeking, servile flatterer; a fawning parasite.'"
Although Ambrose Bierce shared his satirical wit concerning the sycophant, in "The Devil's Dictionary"
And if you're really curious about the roots of this term, then here's a discussion about Sycophant and The Sign of the Fig
Meanwhile, google answers searches for the right word to match...
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Obsequious Sycophants, Sanctimonious Narcissism, & Groupthink Hubris:
"Numinous Lunacy & The Sanctimonious Narcissism of The New Age (Is there an Eco in here?)," by Kat Herding
(This explains an aspect of the inspiration for the title of this post)
"Pleasure Point XVI: 'Pride lives on when Pride dies - Phoenix like,'" by Dr. JKS
"Slow Leadership: The Narcissistic Organization," by Carmine Coyote
"The Cyber-Narcissist," by Sam Vaknin
"Narcissistic Leaders And Corporate Narcissism," By Sam Vaknin
"Understanding Stupidity: IV. The Schema as Maladaptive," by James F Welles, Ph.D.
"The Psychodynamics Of Eminence, Success, Being Well-Known And Being A Celebrity," by Robert M. Young
Success begins with M - ME" by Tessie Lim
"Obsequious Behavior," by Terry Nelson
(apparently, even this traditional Catholic claims that he despises vainglorious suck-ups)
"Etiquette Rule #1 - Don't be a Sycophant," by Rob Caron
(RE: Redmond Channel Partner newsletter links to a piece titled Minding Your Microsoft Manners)
Archetypes Storytelling Cards: The Sycophant
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Here is an appropriate selection from Matt Neuman's 49 Simple Things You Can Do to Save the Earth:
"#37. THINK FOR YOURSELF.
Take it from someone who, after having his self-esteem obliterated by a persuasive con man and his gang of sycophants, escaped on foot-with nothing to eat for nine days but wild berries and mushrooms-and lived to talk about it! (You might have seen the story in the papers-"DAZED FOLLOWER OF DIZZY GURU FOUND ON FREEWAY")
--
After I had written this entry, I consulted the I Ching, which offered this pertinent information:
"Factionalism and the dominance of cliques are especially to be avoided. Even if people of like mind come forward together, they ought not to form a faction by holding together for mutual advantage; instead, each man should do his duty."
...as well as directing me back to a divination from earlier this month...
--
What is a sycophant, anyway?
"The idea of encouraging the citizens to assist in the detection of crime or treason against the state was commendable; it was not the use, but the abuse of the privilege that was so injurious. Allusions to the sycophants are frequent in Aristophanes and the Attic orators. The word is now generally used in the sense of a cringing flatterer of the great. (italics added)" - The LoveToKnow Free "Classic" Online Encyclopedia, based on the eleventh edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica, first published in 1911.
The Mavens' Word of the Day clarifies that "The only current sense of sycophant in English is 'a self-seeking, servile flatterer; a fawning parasite.'"
Although Ambrose Bierce shared his satirical wit concerning the sycophant, in "The Devil's Dictionary"
And if you're really curious about the roots of this term, then here's a discussion about Sycophant and The Sign of the Fig
Meanwhile, google answers searches for the right word to match...
--
Obsequious Sycophants, Sanctimonious Narcissism, & Groupthink Hubris:
"Numinous Lunacy & The Sanctimonious Narcissism of The New Age (Is there an Eco in here?)," by Kat Herding
(This explains an aspect of the inspiration for the title of this post)
"Pleasure Point XVI: 'Pride lives on when Pride dies - Phoenix like,'" by Dr. JKS
"Slow Leadership: The Narcissistic Organization," by Carmine Coyote
"The Cyber-Narcissist," by Sam Vaknin
"Narcissistic Leaders And Corporate Narcissism," By Sam Vaknin
"Understanding Stupidity: IV. The Schema as Maladaptive," by James F Welles, Ph.D.
"The Psychodynamics Of Eminence, Success, Being Well-Known And Being A Celebrity," by Robert M. Young
Success begins with M - ME" by Tessie Lim
"Obsequious Behavior," by Terry Nelson
(apparently, even this traditional Catholic claims that he despises vainglorious suck-ups)
"Etiquette Rule #1 - Don't be a Sycophant," by Rob Caron
(RE: Redmond Channel Partner newsletter links to a piece titled Minding Your Microsoft Manners)
Archetypes Storytelling Cards: The Sycophant
--
Here is an appropriate selection from Matt Neuman's 49 Simple Things You Can Do to Save the Earth:
"#37. THINK FOR YOURSELF.
Take it from someone who, after having his self-esteem obliterated by a persuasive con man and his gang of sycophants, escaped on foot-with nothing to eat for nine days but wild berries and mushrooms-and lived to talk about it! (You might have seen the story in the papers-"DAZED FOLLOWER OF DIZZY GURU FOUND ON FREEWAY")
--
After I had written this entry, I consulted the I Ching, which offered this pertinent information:
"Factionalism and the dominance of cliques are especially to be avoided. Even if people of like mind come forward together, they ought not to form a faction by holding together for mutual advantage; instead, each man should do his duty."
...as well as directing me back to a divination from earlier this month...