Revenge Addiction

[Res Ipsa]

Interesting opinion piece from Politico: https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/ ... ion-444570

Grievance stimulates the same area of the brain as narcotics. People become addicted to grievance as if it were heroin and crave revenge like a junkies craves his next fix. Limbaugh, Fox, Hannity, Carlson, Breitman, Nessman, OANN are all dealers for an army of addicts.

Interesting.

[Morley]

Interesting opinion piece from Politico: https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/ ... ion-444570

Grievance stimulates the same area of the brain as narcotics. People become addicted to grievance as if it were heroin and crave revenge like a junkies craves his next fix. Limbaugh, Fox, Hannity, Carlson, Breitman, Nessman, OANN are all dealers for an army of addicts.

Interesting.

Yeah, I read that, too. Excellent article. It explained an awfully lot for me.

[Res Ipsa]

Revenge addict getting a fix. https://www.wsbtv.com/news/politics/man ... WPUBXYJ2E/

[Doctor CamNC4Me]

Hrm. From the author’s website - link to a study:

In 2004, Swiss researchers discover that the dorsal striatum—the part of the human brain that processes rewards such as the pleasure derived from desserts, desire, and narcotics—is also activated when humans inflict punishments upon wrongdoers. Using positron emission tomography, the scientists were able to observe the brains of human subjects during games in which they could use money units needed to win a game to punish other players who violated their trust. Study subjects who believed they were administering effective (as opposed to symbolic) punishment experienced increased activation in the caudate nucleus portion of the dorsal striatum and willingly expended a greater portion of their money units on punishment. In other words, they were willing to pay to get justice even if it might cost them the game because in getting even they experienced the same pleasure they received from eating a rich dessert, having sex or taking narcotics).

So, long story short, when I was younger I got into it with a guy who decided to walk across the crosswalk while I was entering into the intersection in my car. I’m not sure what I was supposed to do because I couldn’t stop in the middle of the intersection so I veered to the left, you know, so I didn’t run him over. Well, he slaps the crap out of my passenger side window catching it with his ring or whatever, startling the bejeezus out of me. Not super proud of this, but I pulled over, got out, we came at each other, and I punched him a few times. I don’t know why. All I know in the moment I felt wronged, and I wanted to punish him for being antagonistic and aggressive.

You know what I felt, afterward? Totally relaxed. Like, weirdly, calmly, relaxed. I felt good. Like years of pent up aggression were resolved by punching the window slapper. I imagine if I were ever to take an opiate the feeling would be similar... just a calm, everything-is-right-in-the-world feeling.

I wonder why the brain would reward itself with drugs after a violent episode? It seems to me it’d beget more violence, I guess, if drugs and chocolate are scarce.

- Doc

[Moksha]

Any chance Trump's example could spawn a generation of sore losers who will refuse to accept defeat?

[dantana]

I grew up with a- when pushed, punch first ask questions later kinda dad, upbringing. I have no complaints. In my later twenties though I came to realize this is a difficult philosophy to maintain. See, to be a true tough guy one can't pick and choose. That is, to be a true bad-ass, one can't wait to see if the guy in the adversarial road rage car is a pee-wee Herman - or - Hulk Hogan type, before one charges in. You gotta just go. At some point though this philosophy means one will have to live with the hypocrisy of only punching little guys or, getting the sh-t beat out of you once in a while.

I shared this with my dad. He didn't learn, and got the sh-t beat out of him once in his 60's. But, it also did lead to this little tale: True story, My dad and mom were in Vegas for the NFR (National finals rodeo) in the late 80's. Waiting for the elevator, the door opened and there stood a car full of Pro Wrestlers with Hulk Hogan in front. Dad turns to mom and says, "hold these bags dear while I throw some of these guys off of here." He got a chuckle from the Hulkster.

Anyway, I agree with Cam. fighting (rightful only) brings the good chemicals.

[subgenius]

Interesting opinion piece from Politico: https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/ ... ion-444570

Grievance stimulates the same area of the brain as narcotics. People become addicted to grievance as if it were heroin and crave revenge like a junkies craves his next fix. Limbaugh, Fox, Hannity, Carlson, Breitman, Nessman, OANN are all dealers for an army of addicts.

Interesting.

wow. you're like that coward who throws a failed sucker-punch and suddenly wants to mitigate the impending beat down.
so maybe its time for you guys to take a break from your own 48 month addiction.
sad.

[Res Ipsa]

I grew up with a- when pushed, punch first ask questions later kinda dad, upbringing. I have no complaints. In my later twenties though I came to realize this is a difficult philosophy to maintain. See, to be a true tough guy one can't pick and choose. That is, to be a true bad-ass, one can't wait to see if the guy in the adversarial road rage car is a pee-wee Herman - or - Hulk Hogan type, before one charges in. You gotta just go. At some point though this philosophy means one will have to live with the hypocrisy of only punching little guys or, getting the sh-t beat out of you once in a while.

I shared this with my dad. He didn't learn, and got the sh-t beat out of him once in his 60's. But, it also did lead to this little tale: True story, My dad and mom were in Vegas for the NFR (National finals rodeo) in the late 80's. Waiting for the elevator, the door opened and there stood a car full of Pro Wrestlers with Hulk Hogan in front. Dad turns to mom and says, "hold these bags dear while I throw some of these guys off of here." He got a chuckle from the Hulkster.

Anyway, I agree with Cam. fighting (rightful only) brings the good chemicals.

I don’t think it has to be a rightful fight to release the chemical that result in the addiction. The brain rewards itself for fighting for survival, even if survival wasn’t on the line.

[dantana]

I don’t think it has to be a rightful fight to release the chemical that result in the addiction. The brain rewards itself for fighting for survival, even if survival wasn’t on the line.

Well I tell ya, I can't as I sit here pull up any felt sense memory of pleasure, satisfaction...gratification, even when sure I was right in a 'level-10(not physical) fight with my wife. And I'm pretty sure my emotional life survival was on the line.

[subgenius]

Any chance Trump's example could spawn a generation of sore losers who will refuse to accept defeat?

Given that Hillary Clinton spawned such vengeful and enduring losers...