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ybbor

(1,727 posts)
18. Great, unnerving article
Thu Jan 22, 2026, 07:53 AM
Jan 22

A little psychopath story from my youth.

I grew up in Flint, MI when it was still a very prosperous city. GM was doing well, and they actually paid taxes that supported a lot of good things, including a top notch school system. My dad worked for the schools and was an admin for the athletic programs. This was the early ‘70s. He was a member of the president’s board of physical fitness. One day he picked up a man from DC who was visiting to see their model. On the way from the airport he asked my dad if there were any “psychopaths” in the city. My dad responded, probably the same as any city our size. He asked if he could show him any. My dad replied he didn’t really know where they hung out. At this point the man said, what do you think I’m asking? I am wondering about “cycle paths, bike paths”, what did you think I meant? My dad told him, and being an automotive city, my dad said, “Oh, no”, and they both had a good laugh.

I thought a little humor could lighten the mood.

Recommendations

4 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Great, Frightening Post! Chasstev365 Jan 22 #1
Awesome drawing!!! mysteryowl Jan 22 #2
I have heard a high percentage of political leaders are psychpaths. mysteryowl Jan 22 #3
Politics and Business. littlemissmartypants Jan 22 #5
Hey I also wanted to thank you for bringing this Tadpole Raisin Jan 22 #30
Yeah bucolic_frolic Jan 22 #4
Would it be possible for our grade schools KS Toronado Jan 22 #6
Training people to identify, assertive reactions and avoidance, maybe. littlemissmartypants Jan 22 #8
LOL, I'll check it out KS Toronado Jan 22 #19
30% is a very alarming number LymphocyteLover Jan 22 #7
Prevalence estimates for psychopathy tend to be lower outside the US ... Auggie Jan 22 #9
Probably because other countries value family, time off, Tadpole Raisin Jan 22 #16
Link suggests genetics is mostly the reason why Auggie Jan 22 #27
True. But societal norms may then play a role in what Tadpole Raisin Jan 22 #29
Something empowers/stimulates the gene. Media? Politics? Auggie Jan 22 #31
Well, I do have a brother who's a psychopath but I can't say that pychopathology is... NNadir Jan 22 #33
Top 10 occupations which attract psychopaths. Tadpole Raisin Jan 22 #10
Thanks so much for sharing this, TR. I'm curious, why did chef surprise you? ❤️ littlemissmartypants Jan 22 #11
Mostly I think due to lack of any interaction with those people. Tadpole Raisin Jan 22 #14
Interesting. Thanks for the reply. ❤️ littlemissmartypants Jan 22 #20
The Dark Triad Javaman Jan 22 #12
Toxic masculunity, in large part SheltieLover Jan 22 #13
Jeezus. That's a lot of mean out there. Joinfortmill Jan 22 #15
I was listening to a psychiatrist explain this last week. BigmanPigman Jan 22 #17
Great, unnerving article ybbor Jan 22 #18
Hahaha!!! littlemissmartypants Jan 22 #25
Thinking of Francisco Solano Lopez, Paraguayan dictator who warred against RVN VET71 Jan 22 #21
Interesting. Thanks for sharing this. I'm going to have to read about it some more. Later when the roads freeze & I'm littlemissmartypants Jan 22 #26
Probably just check out his name on the web RVN VET71 Tuesday #34
It's so nice..... SergeStorms Jan 22 #22
Well, yeah. I have a brother who fits the bill but happily... NNadir Jan 22 #23
Perfect description of him! Mtnmama Jan 22 #24
It's barbtries Jan 22 #28
My ex is a psychopath. Glad he's my ex. Clouds Passing Jan 22 #32
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