Innocent until proven narcissistic
👨⚖️ Reality served—and you might like the verdict
Listen to a version of this column on the “Poetry in Eden” podcast, episode #31, available on Spotify or Apple podcasts. That version is also attached here for easy listening.
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🪑The Metaphorical Table Is Set🪑
The other day, we visited a favorite café—one that’s always buzzing with people at all hours. Yet somehow, every time we’ve gone, there’s always been a seat for us. Maybe it’s just luck, but it got me thinking about inclusivity and belonging.
The phrase "there is room at the table for everyone" is all about inclusivity and making sure no one is left out. It is a metaphor that speaks to the idea that everyone should have the chance to participate, contribute, and have their voice heard—whether in a discussion, a community, or a larger movement.
It comes from the simple concept of a dining table, where making space means making sure no one is excluded from sharing the meal. But beyond the literal meaning, it’s often used in workplaces, politics, and social settings to highlight the importance of diversity, equality, equity, and belonging.
In a professional setting, this could mean ensuring that every employee, no matter their background, has opportunities to share ideas and grow. In social justice, it’s a reminder that everyone deserves a voice in conversations about rights, policies, and representation. Simply put—there’s a place for everyone, and no one should be left out.
🎙️NEW! My guest on last week’s podcast, episode #30, devoted her life to honoring the legacy of her late dear friend—a friend who became family. Check it out for inspiration on uncovering generational wounds.
But as I look at the state of politics today, it feels like leaders are chanting, “There is room at the table—for me!” A hollow, narcissistic cry—grandiose, malignant, entitled, and empty—echoes through the airwaves.
For most, it’s a painful distortion; for some, inexplicably, it’s music. But if the table had room for only one type of person, that would be a lonely, hollow existence—at least for me.
With 34 felony convictions and 88 felony charges, I can’t help but wonder about this man who holds the most powerful seat at the table in the so-called “free” world.
✍️NEW! If you need some hope as it pertains to American politics, Scott of The Dworkin Report had a detailed post last week.
🤓 The Dark Triad & Clinical Psychology 🤓
Speaking of malignant . . . the definition of malignant means anything destructive, malevolent, or aggressively harmful.
But, in terms of clinical psychology, there is actually a diagnosis of incurable people with low empathy levels, called narcissists. Actually, people with narcissistic personality disorder make up 5-16% of the population, and malignant narcissists are a subset of these people.
A malignant narcissist is someone who exhibits a toxic combination of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), antisocial traits, aggression, and paranoia. Unlike a typical narcissist, who craves admiration and validation, a malignant narcissist takes things further—they are manipulative, cruel, and often enjoy controlling or harming others.
Key Traits of Malignant Narcissists:
Grandiosity – They have an inflated sense of self-importance and believe they are superior to others.
Lack of Empathy – They struggle (or outright refuse) to recognize or care about others' feelings.
Manipulativeness – They deceive, exploit, or gaslight people to maintain control.
Paranoia – They often believe others are out to get them, leading to defensiveness and hostility.
Aggression & Sadism – They can be vindictive, enjoying the suffering of others or retaliating against perceived slights.
Entitlement – They believe they deserve special treatment and react poorly when they don’t get it.
Malignant narcissism sits on the extreme end of the narcissistic spectrum and often overlaps with sociopathy. These individuals can be dangerous in personal relationships, workplaces, and leadership roles because they thrive on power, chaos, and control.
Narcissist personality disorder is a part of the Dark Triad. Narcissism is characterized by grandiosity, entitlement, dominance, and superiority. Machiavellianism is associated with a cold, cynical, amoral worldview and detached, strategic manipulativeness. Psychopathy is linked with impulsivity, risk-taking, low neuroticism, and low empathy. If someone has one of these personality disorders, they most likely have two or all three of them. source
While I’m no psychologist (especially not one as articulate as dark triad expert, Dr. Ramani), I hope sharing this serves as a reminder that not everyone can be healed, and not all actions stem from pure intentions. Some intentions run deeper and darker than we may realize—after all, one in six people carry these incurable Dark Triad traits. (It’s also important to realise that survivor’s of narcissistic abuse begin to showcase these traits as a trauma response, so that is another tricky thing to keep in mind.)
These thoughts oddly bring me back to the very building blocks of the universe itself. . .
🪐 Dark Energy May Lead to Our Demise 🪐
Normal matter comprises just 5 percent of the universe’s contents. Meanwhile, dark matter makes up some 26 percent, and dark energy accounts for the final 69 percent. Dark energy, it turns out, seems to be the real-world force behind Einstein’s cosmological constant, which plays a major role in the expansion caused by dark energy. source
In physics, dark energy is the mysterious force driving the accelerated expansion of our universe. It makes up about 69% of the universe's total energy, but remains one of the biggest mysteries in modern cosmology. . .
In my article, “RE: Your subscription to the matrix,” I shared the idea that the future predicts the past. If that’s true, and considering the mysterious dark energy driving the expansion of our universe, does it mean darkness is ultimately woven into the fabric of our shared reality, in whatever form we may come to recognize it?
In physics, dark energy dictates the fate of the universe. If its influence persists, the universe could expand endlessly, eventually growing cold and empty—a scenario known as the Big Freeze. If it shifts over time, other possibilities like the Big Rip or Big Crunch could take place.
Perhaps our enduring fascination with concepts like light and darkness, Yin and Yang, and the balance of opposites comes from a deep, instinctual awareness that if we’re not careful, dark energy could continue expanding, leaving our universe to freeze in a chilling, inevitable stillness. For now, I am still hopeful, basking in the light of life.
Share your thoughts in the comments about what this mysterious and growing dark energy could be!
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ORIGINAL POEM OF THE WEEK ❤️ SUNDAYS ARE FOR LOVERS
Grandpa used to say, “Sundays are for lovers.”
That is, before he rose from beneath the Earth
To the hearth of heavenly warmth.
He is forever at peace there. Yet, here
We carry a heavy load. . .some things are bestowed.
When life gets heavy, I remember—
If there is anything to fear, it is not being here
With a soul, a body, a mind, and shadow.
We get one chance, and by happenstance, one day
We return to the clay, leaving our loved ones behind.
Grandpa used to play piano every single day,
But on Sundays, we all gathered around after eating a few rounds
Of home-cooked food. We knew the moment was coming,
And the feeling was so overwhelming when he took us
Ear by ear, into the gear of the sound of music–it meant the world to us.
“Sundays are for lovers,” Grandpa used to say.
That is, before he chose to depart this Earth
To the soul-search of eternal rebirth. For what it's worth,
I know our hearts will forever be connected, immersed,
And impacted by the mirth.