And Cyber Narcissism

The question remains; how many aliases
per dysfunctional sentient are needed
in narcissistic, pathological space?

Those irresistible urges to spawn again
and again, birthing figments of fantasy
in an internet nest of intrigue, where
false identities and specious claims are
de rigueur – are the same symptoms
and finite details of a real disease.

Cyber narcissists stalk ersatz fame
with an unhinged and insane energy,
gathering cults of transient and disposable
fans as insects to light, burning brighter
in each melodramatic iteration.

Somatic and cerebral alike prey in rich
waters unmediated, feeding in epicentres
tailor-made for stalkers, erotomaniacs,
denigrators and plain nuts, sustaining
grandiose fantasies, inflating self-images.

Cinctures of normative behaviour do not
apply; cyber narcissists are addicts of their
own provincial delusion and, where
unsatisfied, beware, become disruptive
influences – blaming someone other as
the guilty, racist son-of-shaitan.

Addicted or reformed you remain in
thrall when you seek gratification
in those hallowed halls...
© 6 December 2007, I. D. Carswell

From: The Cyber Narcissist, by Sam Vaknin
– thanks to Jim Crawford (Metamorphhh)