Yikes. My first time here, my first post, and this is only the second thread I've read in my first few minutes on this site.
As far as I can see, the individual in question is either a legitimate sociopath, or has learned behavior that closely resembles those of a sociopath. (Sometimes the line is slightly blurred between those two options)
I didnt even know exactly what a sociopath was, until I read up on it after knowing a couple of them. Once you know one, they become far easier to spot. There are many common traits.
There is a great book called "Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths Among Us", and a few others as well. While not specifically about sociopaths, it does explain them, and their differences from the much worse condition, psychopaths. The doctor who wrote it, believes (if memory serves) sociopaths make up 2-5% of the population. That’s a pretty big number. They lie, cheat, steal, and then sleep like babies. Apparently, it isnt just a bad name to call someone who is dishonest, it's a real genetic condition. They literally have no conscience. And are often highly successful, highly driven, and highly efficient people. "Movers and shakers", "go getters", and many other positive-sounding traits are associated with some of them. They certainly arent lazy. They are, according to Dr. Hare: cops, politicians, business owners, CEO's, the list goes on. They are perfectly suited towards "doing whatever is necessary" in order to get ahead, which is why they are supposedly found in such high positions. The main difference between the sociopaths who ascend to great heights and common criminals is their intelligence and upbringing. But the actual genetic condition is the same.
Also interesting, the sociopath often has no idea they are a sociopath. This is just "business as usual" for them. They are not highly introspective, it's all about success and moving forward. Sadly...it's usually at the expense of others. Ever wonder why MOST Italians living in NY at the turn of the previous century werent involved in the Mafia? (just the first example which popped into my head, there are many more)
Most people cannot actively take advantage of another person without there being strong psychological consequences. But that is where the sociopath excels.
There are far more of them then I thought, and much of what you read shines a bright light on people you've known in your past, long before you knew there was such a condition. After I read that book, I was constantly recalling specific incidents with an understanding I wished I'd had back then. Wish I knew then, what I know now. The signs are always there. But most people, me included, just didnt now what to look for.
Anyway, after even a tiny amount of research, spotting them is far easier then you'd think. Their MO is incredibly consistent from person to person. Even some of the things they say is similar. The ones I've known in the past might not have been CEO's or politicians, but they were so similar to the guy in question on this thread that I immediately saw a similarity. The ones I knew were also multi-business owners, unethical, and....well....without conscience.
