My response:
Ha, this sounds so much like the typical uber-empath, sociopath relationship. I have loads of friends like you. If this really is the situation (e.g., he is a sociopath), he might be very startled by and wary of your apparent willingness to accept him for who he is without judgment. It is possible, as you suggest, that he is a sociopath and knows that he is different in some way, but doesn't know that he is a sociopath, per se. He may be like many of my sociopath readers, questioning why he is the way he is, while actively avoiding being saddled with the term sociopath (for reasons that are probably obvious to you, particularly after reading The Sociopath Next Door). He may be particularly wary of you given that you "confronted" him about his behavior during a conversation in which you were attempting to break up with him. He probably reasonably interpreted this to be disapproval.
I wouldn't necessarily say that sociopaths do not have the ability to love, although theirs is not a typical form of love. I wrote about it here. It sounds like he is genuinely fond of you, if he put forth extra effort to win you back. It also sounds like he also respects you, if he has toned down the lying. He is probably charmed that you were cognizant enough to see through him, and intrigued that you appear to know who he is but are still interested in him. Everyone wants to be known and appreciated for who they really are -- sociopaths are no different. Sociopaths tend to take a lot of pride in their work, for good reason, so I am sure he would enjoy the thought of having an audience. On the other hand, you never know who you can trust. I live in daily fear of being outed. I enjoy writing the blog and am glad that it is helpful, but I frequently think that it will eventually be my doom, so I understand that sort of apprehension. And even if you were willing to listen without being judgmental, there is no guarantee that you would be able to handle the truth, wouldn't freak out and disclose everything. He may also have something else to hide. Sociopaths can do bad things. But if he did admit it to you, what would you do? Be a willing accomplice in his life, no matter how sick it turns out to be? Watch the film Let the Right One In for an example of that sort of dedication and to what it can lead.
The way you describe him, though, I can see why you are fascinated.
"i live in daily fear of being outted. i enjoy writing the blog and am glad that it is helpful, but i frequently think that it will eventually be my doom[...]"
ReplyDeletePersonally, m.e., I don't exactly see this blog as your inevitable doom.
You use an alias, so how are people supposed to pinpoint you?
Oh, IP addresses. But again, IP addresses only narrow in a certain place. It doesn't exactly tell you who is behind the IP, just where it comes from.
Of course, I'd expect you used some sort of proxy. (I think that's the right thing..?)
Anyway, I don't think the CIA is out to get you. So, I'd suggest rethinking your paranoia.
Each computer on the net is uniquely identifiable, unless you take measures to ensure it isn't. Proxy's aren't enough, The idea of being 'proud of your work' just seems silly, it's either necessity or not, enjoyment is secondary. Pride, doom, what are they? I'd function better in a controlled, restricted environment like prison than I do in the real world, not that I'd like such a restriction. Love? possession? You would be mine, to play with.
ReplyDeleteI don't think anyone will hunt you down, because the people who want to won't have the technology or experience, and the ones who could, won't see the point; sociopaths are hated, but unless someone actually meets one, they aren't going to want to do you harm (these people are most likely to fall into the first category).
ReplyDeleteI think it's usually after meeting one of us that people feel a bit hard done by, we don't tend to be nice to people unless it gets us what we want. There are lot of eager beavers who plod away at IT stuff, they have both the will and knowledge to trace us, hopefully, they don't have the technology, the number of connections, and the memory capacity tends to fill up at the rate available, so we get lost in the signal, if there's every a plateau, we're in deep shit, because we'll stand out, well, you will anyway.
ReplyDeleteAnyone with above average computer skills can track people online, a simple N-map is all that is needed. However, the chances of people using that information is low at most.
ReplyDeleteNot to mention... who in their right mind goes after a sociopath... :) Live free, die hard.