The culture of narcissism : American life in an age of diminishing expectations

When__The Culture of Narcissism__was first published in 1979, Christopher Lasch was hailed as a “biblical prophet” (__Time__). Lasch’s identification of narcissism as not only an individual ailment but also a burgeoning social epidemic was groundbreaking. His diagnosis of American culture is even more relevant today, predicting the limitless expansion of the anxious and grasping narcissistic self into every part of American life.__The Culture of Narcissism__offers an astute and urgent analysis of what we need to know in these troubled times. Here is a penetrating view of the narcissistic personality of our time. Liberated from the superstitions of the past, it embraces new cults, only to discover that emancipation from ancient taboos brings neither sexual nor spiritual peace. Emotionally shallow, fearful of intimacy, hypochondriacal, primed with pseudo-self-insight, indulging in sexual promiscuity, dreading old age and death, the new narcissist has lost interest in the future. The happy hooker has replaced Horatio Alger as a symbol of success. Reformers with the best of intentions condemn the lower class to a second-rate education. Games enlist skill and intelligence which would otherwise be contributing to the welfare of society. The sexes are engaged in an escalating war. Is there hope for this society in its dotage? Christopher Lasch believes there is . . . When The Culture of Narcissism was first published in 1979, Christopher Lasch was hailed as a “biblical prophet” ( Time ). Lasch’s identification of narcissism as not only an individual ailment but also a burgeoning social epidemic was groundbreaking. His diagnosis of American culture is even more relevant today, predicting the limitless expansion of the anxious and grasping narcissistic self into every part of American life. The Culture of Narcissism offers an astute and urgent analysis of what we need to know in these troubled times. In a work which is even more relevant in the twenty-first century than when it was written, the author argues that American society has become increasingly self-absorbed, focused on self-gratification to the exclusion of higher values, and that the mass narcissism of the culture is based on fear The Waning of the Sense of Historical Time As the twentieth century approaches its end, the conviction grows that many other things are ending too.