TruthArchive.ai - Tweets Saved By @Nick_Carmody

Nick_Carmody
Posted - August 4, 2023 at 12:02 AM
Saved - September 17, 2023 at 12:26 PM
reSee.it AI Summary
Trump's indictments and potential criminal convictions increase the likelihood of revenge politics on the Right. The neuropsychology of revenge involves dopamine addiction, somatic symptoms from consuming politics, and the pleasure derived from hurting those who provoke us. Retaliatory aggression may have an addictive quality, incentivizing false narratives and incitement. The hedonic reward from retaliatory aggression against perceived provocateurs conditions people to enjoy hurting others, potentially leading to habitual addictive behaviors. Anticipation and intermittent reinforcement play a role, as does the subjective interpretation of provocation. This neuropsychological understanding sheds light on the current state of grievance politics and the authoritarian arms race.

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

Regardless of whether it’s impeachment hearings, or political violence… …Trump’s indictments, and potential criminal convictions, make it increasingly likely the Right will engage in revenge politics. Let’s unpack the neuropsychology of the “hedonic reward” of revenge… 1/

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

I’ve analyzed the role of dopamine/addiction in confirmation bias, tribalism, conspiracy theory susceptibility...... 2/

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

An addiction model may actually explain tribalism, confirmation bias, and even conspiracy theories/Qanon. Let’s unpack…. Several years ago I started observing the parallels between addiction and political tribalism as marriages/friendships/families imploded over politics….1/

@hawklyf49 - Hoot-n-Nanny🦉🦉

@Nick_Carmody I think I read a thread of yours a while back about the cyclical emotional "addiction" of the fear- anger response. The mob is afraid, so they get a release of feel good brain chemicals from their anger release. They're all basically enabling each other to stay angry for relief

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

....and have also analyzed how/why people experience distressing somatic/physical symptoms when consuming politics. 3/

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

Interesting conversation w/@hubermanlab & @jordanbpeterson . Several things expand upon concepts/theories that I’ve previously observed/analyzed through a political lens including dopamine/addiction, emotion over logic/reason, etc. Let’s unpack… 1/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-mJEZbHFLs

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

Dopamine is related to the “reward system” of the brain, and is involved in the pleasurable experiences related to sex, gambling, etc. Dopamine is associated with the high experienced with cocaine use/addiction. 4/

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

But, as this study indicates, there’s also a “hedonic reward” element to revenge. A couple of key insights to the study is that “hedonic reward” (pleasure) is dependent upon a prior instance of provocation…. 5/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4927037/

The pleasure of revenge: retaliatory aggression arises from a neural imbalance toward reward Most of daily life hums along peacefully but provocations tip the balance toward aggression. Negative feelings are often invoked to explain why people lash out after an insult. Yet people might retaliate because provocation makes aggression hedonically ... ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

….and that punishment (retaliatory aggression) activates/satiates the reward center of the brain. To summarize.... ...it shows that people experience pleasure from hurting others who have provoked or hurt us…. ....because they “deserve” it. 6/

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

This obviously has implications for the current state of grievance politics.... .....where a pathologically disordered former president is campaigning on “retribution”. 7/

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

…..but who will also be their victimhood “retribution”. 77/

Video Transcript AI Summary
I am your voice, your warrior, and your justice. I am here to seek retribution for those who have been wronged and betrayed.
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Full Transcript
Speaker 0: We don't have free press. We don't have free anything. In 2016, I declared, I am your voice. Today, I add, I am your warrior. I am your justice. And for those who have been wronged and betrayed, am your retribution. I am your retribution.

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

What this study suggests is that retaliatory aggression is not only a pleasurable (“hedonic reward”) experience…. ...but that regardless of whether it is harsh words online, or even violence towards others… ....retaliatory aggression may have an addictive quality to it… 8/

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

….because similar to other behaviors that involve dopamine production/release…. ….the more someone is “rewarded” for the behavior…. ….the more they desire the reward…. ….and the more they engage in the behavior that produces the reward…. …..rinse and repeat. 9/

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

I’ve previously analyzed the neuropsychological parallels between white supremacy and addiction. In the analysis, I mainly focused on the pain avoidance, in-group/out-group identity “withdrawal” component…… 10/

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

An interesting study finding neuro-physiological parallels between white supremacy and addiction. The study focuses on the dopamine “high”, but fails to recognize the potential neuro-physiological pain-avoidance “withdrawal” factor associated with group/tribal identity. 1/

@jennycohn1 - jennycohn@toad.social ✍🏻 📢

Scholars “interviewed 89 former members of white supremacist organizations,” & found “that the process of disengagement from the ‘totalizing commitment’ & ‘complete identity transformation’ of hate is much like that of an addict trying to stay clean.” 1/ https://daily.jstor.org/how-white-supremacy-is-like-a-drug/

How White Supremacy Is Like a Drug - JSTOR Daily Four researchers found that identifying with a hate group can produce pleasurable sensations in the brain. daily.jstor.org

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

However, this “hedonic reward” research... ...would suggest retaliatory aggression against those who *deserved* to be punished for whatever false narratives white supremacists embrace... ...would eventually result in addictive violence towards Jews, people of color, etc. 11/

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

The key element of this neuropsychological process is “provocation”. But “provocation” is either: 1. A subjective feeling/belief based upon an individual’s subjective experience…. …or… 12/

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

2. A subjective interpretation of an event… ….or what is more commonly the case with politics… …the subjective (manipulated) interpretation of political events, that may or may not have actually occurred, by someone with influence over the individual (Trump/FOX/etc). 13/

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

In both cases... ...a subjective political experience, or a subjective/manipulated interpretation of a political event... ...it usually involves extremely high emotions. Emotion often impairs our judgment, or our ability to objectively assess a situation or other people. 14/

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

With this as a backdrop, an actual provocation may not have to occur for people to experience the “hedonic reward” from retaliatory aggression (violence). Instead, there may only need to be a subjective belief, based on an emotional experience…that a provocation occurred. 15/

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

This subjectively experienced/interpreted “provocation” may occur more frequently people with a “punitive orientation”: Narcissists/demagogues… …people manipulated by narcissists/demagogues… …& religious extremists. Obviously, there is overlap. 16/

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

@johnastoehr @jaysbookman @EWErickson Yes, punishment is a unifying theme that attracts the religious Right to Trump....due to the punitive orientation of Narcissistic Personality Disorder: A couple of threads analyzing this dynamic: 1/

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

@Keysfins @narceducator @duty2warn @SethN12 @DMRDynamics In my experience/observation, narcissists have a strong punitive orientation. Since they're pathologically subjective (incapable of objectively seeing/engaging the world), they often interpret every experience through the lens of subjective “unfairness”, 1/

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

@mestasenesta @yourauntemma If you look at “unfairness” through the lens of his narcissism, particularly through the lens of grandiosity/superiority/perfection….there’s an inability/unwillingness to see things objectively. 3/

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

The “hedonic reward” (dopamine) experienced from retaliatory aggression/violence against perceived “provocateurs”... ...not only incentivizes people to create their own false narratives that demonize *others* who “deserve” to be hurt….. 17/

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

….but it incentivizes antagonists/anarchists (Trump/Tucker Carlson/Bannon/etc)... ...to lie, “conspiracize”, and incite their supporters into believing that their political enemies have harmed them, their kids, the country (“stolen election”), etc... 18/

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

This is why it's so dangerous for exploitive predators like @TuckerCarlson to repeatedly terrify people with comments like: “When they come for you, and they will....” Carlson does it intentionally. 10/

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

Carlson alternately plays on fear/victimization.....and empowerment/narcissism. In threads about conspiracy theories, I've noted: "Conspiracy theories... simultaneously sustain the believers’ narcissism and victimhood". This is what Carlson taps into...1/

@kcarlin25 - Kerri Carlin

@Nick_Carmody - can you please explain the appeal of Tucker Carlson? I have no idea why this man does what he does - is it disgust? Or does he enjoy manipulating others or does he actually believe his own fauxrage? This man is trusted by millions and is an anathema to me

@WalshFreedom - Joe Walsh

Tonight, the top rated host on @FoxNews sided with Vladimir Putin and put forward a conspiracy theory that the FBI was behind the January 6th insurrection. Don’t laugh. This will become gospel among the GOP base.

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

...and to believe retaliatory aggression is not only morally justified… ....but from a neuropsychological standpoint... ....it conditions people to derive enjoyment from hurting others… ….perhaps even to the point where hurting others becomes habit forming (addictive). 19/

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

When people engage in dopamine-rewarding actions repetitively, it creates the risk of habitual/addictive behaviors. When those habitual/addictive behaviors include (political) violence.... ....it’s not difficult to envision what that devolves into. 20/

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

Eventually, the wounded/painful thoughts/feelings….. ...escalate to hurtful/painful comments…. ...which eventually escalate to hurtful/painful actions/violence. Rinse and repeat…. I’ve previously described this as a trauma feedback loop: 30/

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

Taking this further, it’s possible provocation doesn’t need to actually occur... ...and that only a “threat” of provocation exist in order for retaliation to be psychologically justified. In another context I described it as pre-emptive retaliation. 21/

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

“Pre-emptive retaliation” is a justified objective in grievance/victimhood politics: “I’m a victim, and therefore ethics/morality/laws/constitutional norms not only do not apply to me or my tribe, but I’m entitled to retaliate pre-emptively”: 11/

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

@KateSmithAZ @narceducator @HalloweenBlogs …but victimhood is also a preemptive justification for future egregious actions (chaos). Basically it's an inverted “ends justifies the means” rationale: My situation (ends) sucks…it’s all (demonized group)’s fault…therefore, all retaliatory measures (chaos) are justified. 4/

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

Thinking about this more broadly... ...this would also explain the neuropsychology of what I’ve observed/described as the authoritarian arms race… ...where one or both tribes engage in pre-emptive, “hedonic rewarding” retaliatory aggression. 22/

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

Once appropriately “tribed-up”, fear of authoritarianism can also create support for authoritarianism. It can become an "arms race" toward ideological authoritarianism that protects each respective tribe from the other tribe's authoritarianism. 35/

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

Another interesting aspect is the role of anticipation and intermittent reinforcement (receiving "rewards" at random/irregular intervals) plays in the process. Again let’s review, and then look at this through the lens of Trump’s indictments, and the Hunter Biden hearings… 23/

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

As explained above in the screen shots from previous analysis.... .....dopamine/reward optimization occurs when the reward is “anticipated”, but unpredictable/uncertain. For years, the non-MAGA segment of the country hung on every report promising Trump’s demise…. 24/

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

And now MAGA’s anticipation-to-reward ratio is being activated/triggered by Republican-driven congressional hearings about Hunter Biden.... ....and continually promise that whistle blowers will FINALLY provide smoking gun, impeachment-worthy evidence against Joe. 25/

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

…….And if not, then they’ll impeach, anyway…… ....so they can get revenge after being “provoked” from Trump’s multiple impeachments… ….. multiple indictments… ….and, potential, multiple future convictions….. 26/

@sirDukeDevin - Devin Duke

Naturally, Charlie Kirk's response to another Trump indictment is that they are going to put leaders of the Dem party in jail. I thought they were against the weaponization of government? 🤔

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

Relevant thread touching on "revenge": 27/

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

With that in mind, it’s important to not let other people…....especially disordered people …....define you….. ..either by their words….....or more importantly.......by your retaliatory reactive behavior. Don’t engage in uncharacteristic behavior: 47/

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

Expanded article version of this thread analyzing the neuropsychology of the addictive quality to revenge politics (no paywall): 28/ https://www.patreon.com/posts/87176635

Analyzing the neuropsychology of the "hedonic reward" of revenge politics... | Patreon Official Post from Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych patreon.com
Nick_Carmody
Posted - February 17, 2023 at 1:54 PM
Saved - February 18, 2023 at 12:36 PM
reSee.it AI Summary
FOX News perpetuated lies to avoid being outflanked by more aggressive right-wing media outlets. A FOX reporter fact-checked Trump and said there was no evidence of voter fraud from Dominion. Carlson urged Hannity to get her fired, saying it was hurting the company's stock price. Carlson also warned that Trump could easily destroy them if they played it wrong. Relevant to the market pressures that motivated FOX News to broadcast false narratives.

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

Thread about the "demand and supply" dynamic that forced FOX to perpetuate lies/disinformation to avoid being outflanked by more aggressive Right Wing media outlets: 1/ https://t.co/OjiH4s5cqQ

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

A FOX reporter fact-checked Trump and said there was no evidence of voter fraud from Dominion. Carlson told Hannity: "Please get her fired. Seriously...What the fuck?...It needs to stop immediately, like tonight. It's measurably hurting the company. The stock price is down." 2/

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

Carlson went on to say that Trump was good at "destroying things. He's the undisputed world champion of that. He could easily destroy us if we play it wrong." 3/ https://t.co/ZxzAxg5lwD

@Nick_Carmody - Nick Carmody JD, MS Psych

Relevant to the market pressures that motivated FOXNews to broadcast narratives they did not believe to be true: 4/ https://t.co/W78IMj6bLa

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