Special skill set

People often wonder whether sociopaths are born with their special skill set or whether it is acquired. I think it is a little bit of both. I think it is sort of like perfect pitch. Some people are apparently born with perfect pitch, or the ability to ascertain the frequency of sound waves not only relative to other frequencies, but relative to an absolute pitch, e.g. A = 440 Hz. If they do not keep this talent up (e.g. by never learning a musical instrument or otherwise doing anything musical), they will lose it. Similarly, I think there are a lot of survival or predatory talents that sociopaths excel at that other people have been equally inclined towards at one point in their lives, but have just failed to keep up or continue their education in those areas. I saw this recently referenced in an article about a class on survival skills being taught in New York's Central Park to yuppie urbanites. From the New York Times:

“These are time-tested skills,” Mr. Hobel said. “Many years ago we all used to know them, and now we’re bringing them back.”

The key to surviving in the wilderness, he explained, is conserving precious time and energy by remaining calm and aware. “The more skills we have, the more capable we are,” he said.

One eerie exercise focused on heightening awareness, with students closing their eyes and trying to sense danger lurking nearby. “Two people have been watching us the whole time,” Mr. Hobel said. “Can you feel their presence?”

To our surprise, we all could, and pointed to two thick logs, in front and behind us, in mud and leaves. From behind them suddenly arose two of Mr. Hobel’s associates dressed in full camouflage, their faces painted, who had been lying there unnoticed for an hour.

I actually have noticed my friends improving in these skills after spending time with me. They get used to seeing the world from a slightly different perspective, and ever after they have a bit more situational awareness and/or insight into primitive human nature that they weren't really developing before. Most people don't like to daily drudge through a parade of horrible what-ifs, but it actually can be quite fun once you get good at it. And of course, as I learned from being a musician, visualizing yourself doing something successfully makes actually doing that thing in real life infinitely easier. It may not be a pitch perfect performance, but neither will it be the disaster that it could have been had you never imagined yourself having to do those things or be that person. Not everyone wants to survive or excel in life, but for those that do, practice makes perfect.

I actually think I would be a very effective life coach.