Narcissism is an epidemic
Donna's Digs
Donna P. Crilly
Issue date: 5/19/09 Section: Opinion
I was sitting on the couch at my friend Joey's downstairs loft with his older sister and Alli. Joey was fondling his new gold chain wrapped around his neck.
I hadn't noticed his trendy throat decor until the ceiling lights bounced off of it into my eye.
Alli was telling this story about seeing the "hottest guy" at Starbucks today on "boulevard and boulevard."
He had some fresh Vans on. Nice jeans, Volcom shirt and Padres hat. I was like, damn!
"Yes, Alli but what did he LOOK like," I said.
A recent study at San Diego State University led by Jean Twenge, psychology professor, related narcissism traits to nearly 10 percent of people in their 20s.
The featured article on SDSU's Web site referred to it as a "Narcissism Epidemic."
But doesn't it make perfect sense? In a society led by people obsessed with image, materialism, and self-appearance, I'd say Twenge's findings are spot-on, if not 10 percent, more.
At least from a college student's perspective living in San Diego.
I was attracted to a guy in a class of mine until one day. We were both late and I happened to follow about 50 feet behind him from our cars.
During the 10-minute walk from Balboa Park to class, he kept touching his hair, patting them down and running his fingers through them.
He also kept fidgeting and adjusting his Bermuda shorts, back pack and shirt. I still don't know his name so now I call him "The Adjuster."
Since then, I don't really care to look at "The Adjuster." It seems like so many people these days take too long getting ready to look like they didn't get ready.
We'll find the non-conformists who all conform with each other, battling to see who can be the most "different."
More so, on four-year campuses, we'll see the sorority girls toting around Greek-lettered bags wearing giant sunglasses and Ugg boots. My mom even puts make-up on before heading to the gym!
We'll also find certain people who are snooty with the music they listen to, like it was made for them and their special little tribe of "hipsters."
I often get the feeling that if I'm not wearing skinny jeans, Ray-ban shades and a V-neck undershirt, then I'm not worthy of their musical subculture.
I went to a record store in Carlsbad recently and bought a Portishead CD from a guy with a twirly mustache in a hat with a feather sticking out of it.
He gave me this "raised-eyebrow" sort of look as if questioning "what the hell am I buying a Portishead CD for?" I must have made them "uncool" and "too popular" for him to like anymore.
That's the thing about the "indie" genre It's taken on a new form in the past few years where Coachella has transformed into a "Scenester Mecca."
As of a few months ago, Miley Cyrus's favorite band was Radiohead and her ringtone was "Sex on Fire" by Kings of Leon.
So for all you Radiohead lovin', tattoos-with-song-lyrics-flaunting fans out there, rest assured that you and Miley Cyrus can have something to talk about in case you ever meet!
I hadn't noticed his trendy throat decor until the ceiling lights bounced off of it into my eye.
Alli was telling this story about seeing the "hottest guy" at Starbucks today on "boulevard and boulevard."
He had some fresh Vans on. Nice jeans, Volcom shirt and Padres hat. I was like, damn!
"Yes, Alli but what did he LOOK like," I said.
A recent study at San Diego State University led by Jean Twenge, psychology professor, related narcissism traits to nearly 10 percent of people in their 20s.
The featured article on SDSU's Web site referred to it as a "Narcissism Epidemic."
But doesn't it make perfect sense? In a society led by people obsessed with image, materialism, and self-appearance, I'd say Twenge's findings are spot-on, if not 10 percent, more.
At least from a college student's perspective living in San Diego.
I was attracted to a guy in a class of mine until one day. We were both late and I happened to follow about 50 feet behind him from our cars.
During the 10-minute walk from Balboa Park to class, he kept touching his hair, patting them down and running his fingers through them.
He also kept fidgeting and adjusting his Bermuda shorts, back pack and shirt. I still don't know his name so now I call him "The Adjuster."
Since then, I don't really care to look at "The Adjuster." It seems like so many people these days take too long getting ready to look like they didn't get ready.
We'll find the non-conformists who all conform with each other, battling to see who can be the most "different."
More so, on four-year campuses, we'll see the sorority girls toting around Greek-lettered bags wearing giant sunglasses and Ugg boots. My mom even puts make-up on before heading to the gym!
We'll also find certain people who are snooty with the music they listen to, like it was made for them and their special little tribe of "hipsters."
I often get the feeling that if I'm not wearing skinny jeans, Ray-ban shades and a V-neck undershirt, then I'm not worthy of their musical subculture.
I went to a record store in Carlsbad recently and bought a Portishead CD from a guy with a twirly mustache in a hat with a feather sticking out of it.
He gave me this "raised-eyebrow" sort of look as if questioning "what the hell am I buying a Portishead CD for?" I must have made them "uncool" and "too popular" for him to like anymore.
That's the thing about the "indie" genre It's taken on a new form in the past few years where Coachella has transformed into a "Scenester Mecca."
As of a few months ago, Miley Cyrus's favorite band was Radiohead and her ringtone was "Sex on Fire" by Kings of Leon.
So for all you Radiohead lovin', tattoos-with-song-lyrics-flaunting fans out there, rest assured that you and Miley Cyrus can have something to talk about in case you ever meet!
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 5
Jon
posted 6/24/09 @ 12:22 AM PST
Stumbled upon this blog due to a search of 'narcissism epidemic'. I could go on and on about this, but I'll start with this: I quit Facebook recently, I became sick of dry, dry status comments, i. (Continued…)
JC
posted 7/22/09 @ 9:53 PM PST
Rarely do I finish reading an article from beginning to end... unless it's an entertaining piece like this one. Thanks!
San Diego Movers
posted 9/03/09 @ 11:08 AM PST
You make some good observations about today's youth and what's considered cool. But I don't think this is quote what narcissism is. It's more about self infatuation and feelings of self importance than about being a non conformist or fitting in with a certain crowd or wanting to look good. (Continued…)
Abbey
posted 9/30/09 @ 11:12 PM PST
Radiohead are one of the greatest bands around by the way, but that's because of their music, I don't buy into the image-based sub culture.
The problem is too many people are arrogant and narcissistic with no valid reason. (Continued…)
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