Interview with an Empath (part II)

Empath: There are things to appreciate about sociopaths, like my friend. His special areas of interest are mass mind control, individual manipulation, and "performance art." I cannot consciously allow myself to manipulate people the way he does, but there is something brilliant about it that I have to respect. And he often restrains himself from the most outrageous behavior if I request it.

M.E.: Outrageous behavior?

Empath: I used to be disgusted and horrified by some of his antics. He has moved beyond the base, largely. By base, I mean obsession with the writings of Sade, completely depraved porn, pointless cruelty, and the practice of shocking people just for the fun of it. Now he has aimed his sights on larger issues, issue at more of a societal than personal level.

M.E.: But he still is an artist, so to speak?

Empath: So to speak. My friend will find things that really irk someone and touch upon their deepest insecurities and just nail them with it. He likes to claim he is breaking down their character structure so that they can be rebuilt without these insecurities. He will encourage women to prostitute themselves and then describe it for his amusement. He will deliberately taunt people he knows have been abused or hurt in some way--sometimes I think he does it just to observe and see what they will do.

M.E.: Interesting. Sounds sort of like Bunuel's Viridiana, which should be a sociopath favorite if it isn't already.

Interview with an Empath (part I)

M.E.: You were the one who first outted me as a sociopath. Do you remember that?

Empath: I don't specifically remember "outting" you, but it is very likely given my history with sociopaths.

M.E.: So you have outted other sociopaths as well?

Empath: At least one, an old and dear friend. And maybe others. I don't know, people come to me a lot with crises of identity.

M.E.: How did you get to be so good at sniffing out sociopaths?

Empath: I don't purposely seek out sociopaths, unless it is completely subliminal. Remember, you randomly got placed with me in the office at that internship. What I have been able to do is recognize that sociopaths are more numerous than most people assume. And I know a bit of what to look for, having been so close to one for so long. Although I suspect there is a lot of "diversity" among the "sociopath community." hehehe

M.E.: Ha, nice scare quotes.

Empath: Also perhaps having been "out" to myself as queer since an early teenager, I am able to recognize and appreciate those who are outside the norm. I don't know.

M.E.: So you think you being gay has somehow given you sociodar?

Empath: I think it has given me an awareness of things outside the norm. My world view allows me to recognize the "good" or the "beautiful" everywhere.

M.E.: Even in the tiny black heart of a sociopath, apparently.