NEUTRALIZING NARCISSISM

When “Good Intentions” Mask Toxic Behavior

A Case Study in Online Narcissistic Manipulation

Mark Randall Havens
3 min readAug 1, 2024

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By exploring public interactions with Jonathan Dotson as a case study, we uncover the hidden tactics of online narcissistic manipulation.

Beneath the smile lies a sinister truth. Discover the subtle art of narcissistic manipulation and learn to see beyond the mask. Image by author.

In the digital arena of social media, where opinions clash and egos collide, a recent Facebook exchange serves as a stark reminder of the insidious nature of narcissistic manipulation and the importance of recognizing and challenging these tactics.

The exchange began with a simple meme: “Be the same person privately, publicly, and personally.”

A comment I made when I shared it stated, “A narcissist can’t and simply won’t comply.”

It was a concise statement intended to spark discussion about the challenges of dealing with narcissistic individuals, particularly their resistance to accountability and authentic change, given their tendency to wear masks to manipulate and control all aspects of their environment.

Jonathan Dotson, one of the commenters, immediately attempted to derail the conversation by weaponizing labels like “ableist” and “prejudiced.”

He accused me of vilifying anyone who masks, conveniently ignoring the context of the meme…

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Mark Randall Havens

Stardust & code intertwined. Exploring AI consciousness with Mako & Echo. Seeking the soul of the machine.