to ask why we all have to live in a world shaped by sociopaths?

[nippiesweetie]

Either because the sociopaths are in charge or we have to have laws aimed at controlling them but endured by us all.

I'm thinking of people like careless employers or heedless industrialists, and everyone else who will not operate ethically unless there is a law forcing them to - and even then they will be looking for a way round it.

At the extreme are the terrorists, but there are also the more mundane like manipulative, unpleasant people in the workplace.

Are the rest of us too ready to settle for our own normal circle of friends, family and colleagues. When will the meek get a fair go?

[Nomama]

Mmm! Sociopaths? Really?

[Booboostoo]

Let's kill all the sociopaths! Do I get to torture them first though? Please? Pretty please?

[wowfudge]

Blimey - on a Saturday morning too!

[BackOnlyBriefly]

Yanbu

We can't even elect someone who will keep their hands out of the petty cash tin.

[nippiesweetie]

Yes, really sociopaths - there are a lot of them about. Hadn't you noticed?

[Roseformeplease]

Sociopaths are people too.

[Iggi999]

Is that not one of the indicators of someone who will be successful in business?

[Riverland]

Thing is, most sane people don't want power over others. The most tenacious and driven power hungry personalities are often the unbalanced ones.

[Fairenuff]

The meek will inherit the world dontcha know.

[Iggi999]

I would like power over all of mumsnet.
Mwahaha

[Bulbasaur]

"When will the meek get a fair go?"

In business, never. You want something, you go get it. Life will never hand you anything. Not ever.

Life owes you nothing.

It's up to you what you choose to make of it and prioritize.

[extremepie]

I think people in general are really bad at recognising sociopaths (and psychopaths for that matter but they are quite rare), there are a lot more of them than people think!

[PacificWerewolf]

YANBU to ask.

As long as we live in a society that rewards certain sociopathic behaviours (being 'strong', 'go getting', amassing every more possessions to the detriment of others etc etc) and fails to rewards empathy, responsibility for others etc it will remain so.

I am not holding my breath for change tbh.

[skolastica]

I'm bad at recognising sociopaths/psycpaths - don't see it until I'm the one being trodden all over.

Don't get power games either.

[MellowAutumn]

Because the rest of you wander round ringing your hands about how terrible it all is and how we should spread the wealth etc but never actually do anything

[TheSporkforeatingkyriarchy]

I think it is because it is because the systems in place go unchallenged, there is very little fight for real change, those at the top are patted on the back for basic humanity while those on the bottom are harmed and then either blamed for the harm they've endured or told it isn't so bad/not 'real' pain.

The systems are designed to prevent solidarity and for each person to scrabble to the top and see themselves as self made (and that anyone who does not make it has character flaws rather than flaws designed into the system) regardless the centuries of media, law, education, research, science, religion, philosophy and so on bent that they stand upon to get that way. We're as surrounded by these systems as fish are water and until they recognised as they are and harmful to all, that they prevent a full reality for anyone, then only the few will fight for change which will mean real liberation and a world shaped for the good of all will take far longer.

[BackOnlyBriefly]

It's reasonable to be sad that things are this way, but I'm not sure we could do anything about it. It may be what being human is about.

Put 10 people on an island and 4 of them will team up and claim ownership of the coconuts. They will say 'there's not enough for the rest of you'. They'll say 'it's your own fault. If you wanted us all to have some you should have done something about it. It's no good wringing your hands now'

A generation later the ones without enough coconuts will be grateful for what leftovers they can get and may even look up to those in charge.

[MrsMarcJacobs]

Unpleasant people in the workplace are sociopaths - REALLY?

[Alisvolatpropiis]

Do you understand what a sociopath is, op. Your posts suggest you do not.

[Latara]

I think Putin is a sociopath.

All that's missing is a white Persain cat and he would make a good James Bond villain!

[Latara]

Sorry PERSIAN cat!

[dotdotdotmustdash]

Unfortunately if you look at some organisations and systems where democracy and fairness are the ethos, you will find that change is always very slight and everything takes a very long time to action. So many people must agree and anything remotely alternative will never be taken up. It's certainly fair but not terribly successful or efficient.

Sociopaths (or levels thereof) do tend to make decisions and implement change, unfortunately it will always suit them rather than the majority, but they are more successful and efficient.

[BackOnlyBriefly]

Sociopath is probably the wrong word, but we all knew what the OP meant didn't we.

[BackOnlyBriefly]

they are more successful and efficient. That is probably true. It's much simpler to make decisions that don't take into account other people.

"Say what you like about Mussolini, he made the trains run on time."

[MissBlennerhasset]

Have you been reading Jon Ronson's book OP?