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The Narcissism Epidemic Analysis

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Narcissism – the American way of thinking and we don't have to look far to find it. Todays celebrities flaunt their oversized egos and “too hot for you” bodies. Access Hollywood thrives on potential celebrity truths and gossip magazines. Society operate under the pleasure principle, accepting nothing less that what we deserve. We buy houses on easy credit with an APR of 18% or higher. Facebook has become a way of expressing ourselves. Clothing has become optional and we question how we got here? Jean M. Twenge and W. Keith Campbell, authors of The Narcissism Epidemic, have compiled enticing and compelling evidence for the development of culturally accepted narcissism. According to the two, there are more narcissists than ever; even non–narcissistic people are being seduced by cultural emphasis on material wealth, physical appearance, and celebrity gossip (Twenge & Campbell, 2009, pp. 1–2). Standards have shifted, trapping otherwise humble people into believing societies standards for success. Twenge and Campbell’s book was designed as a wake–up call. The two authors work together to uncover the truth behind societal narcissism, while revealing its long–term consequences. The word …show more content…

This is what initially attracted me to the book. Narcissism is bold claim to make, which in return made me question the authors credentials. Unfortunately, the cover has no illustration, which would perhaps attract other readers who have little to no knowledge on narcissism. Another aspect of the cover is the statement made by San Francisco Chronicles, which reads: “Chronicles the obsession that many Americans have with, well, themselves…thinking themselves entitled to thing they haven't earned: It puts them at a terrible disadvantage in a global marketplace that is, all the time, getting more competitive.” This statement allows background into the content of the book while leaving the reader wanting

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