The filmmakers of the documentary “The Corporation” do a great job of analyzing the personality of this social institution and diagnose it as exhibiting psychopathic tendencies, which although interesting and provocative, is all the more disturbing considering there isn't yet a cure or an especially effective treatment for the condition.
In an article on the subject of spotting this type of social predator, Robert D. Hare, briefly outlines a cluster of various related symptoms of psychopathy and provides a list of suggestions and coping strategies for reducing your vulnerability when dealing with this type of person. Below is a transcription of his list, slightly modified (edits highlighted in italics and contained within brackets) and adapted for dealing with the corporate person.
1. “Know what you're dealing with. This sounds easy but in fact can be very difficult. All the reading in the world cannot immunize you from the devastating effects of... [the corporation]. Everyone, including the experts, can be taken in, conned, and left bewildered by them. A good... [branding strategy] can play a concerto on anyone´s heart strings.”
2. “Try not to be influenced by `props.´ It is not easy to get beyond the... [well designed logo], the captivating... [packaging design], the fast talk of the typical... [brand message], all of which blind us to... [the corporation´s] real intentions. The... [focus groups, market research and customer segmentation], is more of a prelude to self-gratification and the exercise of power rather than simple interest or empathic caring.”
3. “Don´t wear blinders. Enter new relationships with your eyes wide open. Like the rest of us, most... [corporations] initially hide their dark side by putting their `best foot forward´. Cracks may soon begin to appear in the mask they wear [if revealed by investigative reporting or first hand information], but once trapped in their web, it will be difficult to escape financially and emotionally unscathed.”
4. “Keep you guard up in high-risk situations. Some situations are tailor-made for... [corporations: labyrinthian store layouts, credit card purchases, one-click checkout] etc. In each case, the potential victim is lonely, looking for a good time, excitement, or companionship, and there will usually be... [some brand promise] willing to oblige, for a hidden price. Know yourself. [Corporations] are skilled at detecting and ruthlessly exploiting your weak spots. Your best defense is to understand what these spots are, and to be extremely wary of anyone who zeroes in on them.”
5. “Don't blame yourself. Whatever the reasons for being involved with a... [corporation], it is important that you not accept blame for.. [its] attitudes and behavior. [Corporations] play by the same rules-their rules-with everyone.”
6. “Be aware of who the victim is. [Corporations] often give the impression that it is they who are suffering and that the... [consumers or politicians] are to blame for their misery. Don't waste your sympathy on them.”
7. “Recognize that you are not alone. Most... [corporations] have lots of victims. It is certain that a... [corporation] who is causing you grief is also causing grief to others. Be careful about power struggles. Keep in mind that... [corporations] have a strong need for psychological and physical control over others. This doesn't mean that you shouldn't stand up for your rights, but it will probably be difficult to do so without risking some serious emotional or physical trauma.”
8. “Set firm ground rules. Although power struggles with a... [corporation] are risky you may be able to set up some clear rules-both for yourself and for the... [corporation]-to make your life easier and begin the difficult transition from victim to a person looking out for yourself.”
9. “Don't expect dramatic changes. To a large extent, the personality of... [the corporation] is `carved in stone.´ There is little likelihood that anything you do will produce fundamental, sustained changes in how they see themselves or others.”
10. “Cut your losses. Most victims of... [corporations] end up feeling confused and hopeless, and convinced that they are largely to blame for the problem. The more you give in the more you will be taken advantage of by the... [corporation´s] insatiable appetite for power and control.”
11. “Use support groups. By the time your suspicions have led you to seek a diagnosis, you already know that you're in for a very long and bumpy ride. Make sure you have all the emotional support you can muster."
Originally I intended to write up an alternative diagnosis for the corporation, likening the institution to a dying patient suffering from some blood disease, money being the life blood of these organizations and its distribution typically being the source of much criticism, but after some research regarding a cure for psychopathy, I stumbled across Hare´s article and decided it was worth elaborating on the filmmaker´s presentation of the subject instead.
In an article on the subject of spotting this type of social predator, Robert D. Hare, briefly outlines a cluster of various related symptoms of psychopathy and provides a list of suggestions and coping strategies for reducing your vulnerability when dealing with this type of person. Below is a transcription of his list, slightly modified (edits highlighted in italics and contained within brackets) and adapted for dealing with the corporate person.
1. “Know what you're dealing with. This sounds easy but in fact can be very difficult. All the reading in the world cannot immunize you from the devastating effects of... [the corporation]. Everyone, including the experts, can be taken in, conned, and left bewildered by them. A good... [branding strategy] can play a concerto on anyone´s heart strings.”
2. “Try not to be influenced by `props.´ It is not easy to get beyond the... [well designed logo], the captivating... [packaging design], the fast talk of the typical... [brand message], all of which blind us to... [the corporation´s] real intentions. The... [focus groups, market research and customer segmentation], is more of a prelude to self-gratification and the exercise of power rather than simple interest or empathic caring.”
3. “Don´t wear blinders. Enter new relationships with your eyes wide open. Like the rest of us, most... [corporations] initially hide their dark side by putting their `best foot forward´. Cracks may soon begin to appear in the mask they wear [if revealed by investigative reporting or first hand information], but once trapped in their web, it will be difficult to escape financially and emotionally unscathed.”
4. “Keep you guard up in high-risk situations. Some situations are tailor-made for... [corporations: labyrinthian store layouts, credit card purchases, one-click checkout] etc. In each case, the potential victim is lonely, looking for a good time, excitement, or companionship, and there will usually be... [some brand promise] willing to oblige, for a hidden price. Know yourself. [Corporations] are skilled at detecting and ruthlessly exploiting your weak spots. Your best defense is to understand what these spots are, and to be extremely wary of anyone who zeroes in on them.”
5. “Don't blame yourself. Whatever the reasons for being involved with a... [corporation], it is important that you not accept blame for.. [its] attitudes and behavior. [Corporations] play by the same rules-their rules-with everyone.”
6. “Be aware of who the victim is. [Corporations] often give the impression that it is they who are suffering and that the... [consumers or politicians] are to blame for their misery. Don't waste your sympathy on them.”
7. “Recognize that you are not alone. Most... [corporations] have lots of victims. It is certain that a... [corporation] who is causing you grief is also causing grief to others. Be careful about power struggles. Keep in mind that... [corporations] have a strong need for psychological and physical control over others. This doesn't mean that you shouldn't stand up for your rights, but it will probably be difficult to do so without risking some serious emotional or physical trauma.”
8. “Set firm ground rules. Although power struggles with a... [corporation] are risky you may be able to set up some clear rules-both for yourself and for the... [corporation]-to make your life easier and begin the difficult transition from victim to a person looking out for yourself.”
9. “Don't expect dramatic changes. To a large extent, the personality of... [the corporation] is `carved in stone.´ There is little likelihood that anything you do will produce fundamental, sustained changes in how they see themselves or others.”
10. “Cut your losses. Most victims of... [corporations] end up feeling confused and hopeless, and convinced that they are largely to blame for the problem. The more you give in the more you will be taken advantage of by the... [corporation´s] insatiable appetite for power and control.”
11. “Use support groups. By the time your suspicions have led you to seek a diagnosis, you already know that you're in for a very long and bumpy ride. Make sure you have all the emotional support you can muster."
In conclusion:
Originally I intended to write up an alternative diagnosis for the corporation, likening the institution to a dying patient suffering from some blood disease, money being the life blood of these organizations and its distribution typically being the source of much criticism, but after some research regarding a cure for psychopathy, I stumbled across Hare´s article and decided it was worth elaborating on the filmmaker´s presentation of the subject instead.
1 comment:
Very interesting exercise. I conclude that the best protection against spychophats and/or corporations is the proverbial "Know Thyself" or in today's language,Be Consciouss. If you are not consciouss of your own thougths/emotions then you are in the hands of every breathing manipulator.
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