Got this comment from website reader Paul Mawdsley.<\/p>\n
He was responding to my “sexist testimonials” email (about why there are no chick testimonials on the left hand side bar on my blog).<\/p>\n
His email (and my reply) below:<\/p>\n
Hey Ben,<\/strong><\/p>\n
I’m a bit of a why’s guy. I like to uncover the underlying causes in life and figure out why things and people behave as they do. I play at reverse engineering things and testing what I come to see. I’m curious what you think of my brief reverse engineering of your dual personality: Ben and el Benbo.<\/strong><\/p>\n
Here’s a note I sent to my girlfriend in response to one of your emails:<\/strong><\/p>\n
Hey babe,<\/strong><\/p>\n
Not one of his earth shaking emails but it’s fun enough to share anyway…and a great way to show anyone who can read with any insight that he’s got some powerful testimonials from some real power hitters in the biz and, despite the reputation of his ironically sociopathic facade, he’s actually a thoughtful, decent, non-sexist human being.<\/strong><\/p>\n
Interesting thought: having a sociopathic sub-personality as a protector-self creates a powerful filter and set of programs to keep a core-self safe enough to be open, flowing, creative and vulnerable in a world that can fuck you up.<\/strong><\/p>\n
Remind you of anyone?<\/strong><\/p>\n
Mawds \ud83d\ude42<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Do I think his assessment is accurate?<\/p>\n
I think most of it is.<\/p>\n
Except for the sociopath<\/em> part.<\/p>\n
I don’t think people really understand what a sociopath is.<\/p>\n
And that makes for some people getting called “sociopath!” or “psychopath!” by overachieving finger-pointers (not talking about Paul here but, for example, the dude who once called me a psychopath to his list and I had to give him a verbal beat down on my blog as a result, revealing what a fool he sounded like).<\/p>\n
Anyway, even elbenbo isn’t a sociopath.<\/p>\n
He’s just a grouchy grinch-like figure.<\/p>\n
Nothing more, nothing less.<\/p>\n
The side of me that wants to be left the hellz alone.<\/p>\n
Is easily irritated with people.<\/p>\n
Demands perfection from himself (and, thus, others).<\/p>\n
And, would rather jump naked on a huge pile of thumbtacks than do things like talk in front of 500 people (like he’s gonna be doing in June at the “No Excuses Summit” in Las Vegas…)<\/p>\n
As for what a “for real” sociopath is?<\/strong><\/p>\n
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s “Ben Settle Show”.<\/p>\n
I explain what they are.<\/p>\n
How they think.<\/p>\n
And, some examples I’ve dealt with.<\/p>\n
I also walk you through some of the red flags to look for in people you suspect of being a sociopath. (I’ve had “dealings” with several over the years and it is not hard to pick them out anymore.)<\/p>\n
This is important stuff.<\/p>\n
Especially since they ABOUND in direct marketing.<\/p>\n
(Particularly online.)<\/p>\n
Probably the most important show to date.<\/p>\n
So look for my signal tomorrow.<\/p>\n
In the meantime, check out past shows here:<\/p>\n