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Notes -
A peek at an alternate universe where I would like to live:
This is pure fantasy, of course. A narcissist like Trump could never. Which is amazing, because just imagine if he did. A single, self-effacing moment of pure team contribution would win Trump a hundred times the accolades he could ever get running for a second term. Trump would go down as a legend (and probably win himself a useful pardon to boot). But that's the thing about narcissists--they don't seem to understand that all the attention and glory they so desperately want, is more often acquired by not doing the most self-aggrandizing thing possible. They fail to grasp that it's possible to get what you want by giving other people what they want--to win by being nice.
So I do not think this is even remotely a plausible scenario. Like, obviously, right? But it could be. Trump could make history, could absolutely cement himself as the craziest 5-D chess grandmaster in the multiverse. But he won't, because he can't. He can't choose any ending but the ignominious one.
Agreed on all counts.
Guys like Cincinnatus and Washington are notable and remembered precisely because the only come a long once every 500 years or so.
Edit: I really feel like this bit bears repeating for emphasis
but narcissist's being self-centered have difficulty grasping the role that others play in the game.
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Those are the guys that most intrigue me. Driven by some sense of duty more than anything, and yet deep down they just want to get back to their farm and live relatively obscure lives.
Attaining power doesn't concern them except for how they can use that power to end the extant crisis and go home.
And the wisdom to know when said crisis is actually over.
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Well, I think part of it is that you have to get to that notable level and THEN give up power. Most people who would give up power already have before that point.
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