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A man named Ameinius was one of Narcissus’ most ardent admirers, and repeatedly vied for his attention. The conceited youth responded by sending his suitor a sword, telling him to prove his adoration. Ameinious proceeded to plunge the sword into his heart, committing suicide to demonstrate his love, but not before he beseeched the gods to punish the vain Narcissus.

The goddess of the hunt, Artemis, heard the plea and made Narcissus fall in love, but a kind a love that couldn’t be fulfilled. Narcissus came upon a clear spring at Donacon in Thespia and, as he bent low to take a drink, for the first time caught sight of himself reflected in the pool. Try as he might to touch this exquisite person in the waters, however, he never could.

For hours he sat enraptured by the spring, at last recognizing himself but tortured by the realization that he could never possess the object of his infatuation. Narcissus was tormented, much as he had tormented all those who in the past had been unlucky enough to fall in love with him.

Finally unable to stand the agony Narcissus plunged a dagger in his heart and died, calling out a last goodbye to his reflected image. Where his blood soaked the earth sprung up the white narcissus flower


nar·cis·sism [noun]
1.  self-admiration: excessive self-admiration and self-centeredness 
2.  personality disorder: in psychiatry, a personality disorder characterized by the patient’s overestimation of his or her own appearance and abilities and an excessive need for admiration.
In psychoanalytic theory, emphasis is placed on the element of self-directed sexual desire in the condition.

Technology is making us narcissistic. We’re not only becoming obsessed with our own images; there are website that encouraging us to be obsessed with our own images.  GuyswithIphones.com is just one example.

All forms or social media and state of the art technology has allowed us not only to be intimate with people we don’t know and have never met; we have allowed personal images to preoccupy and shape our lives.

Our digital online profiles and personas have superseded the “in person” first impression.  As more of us get wired, our traditional normal interactions are also becoming wired and weird.

We are no longer introducing ourselves to a community, we are marketing a self brand to the world, but at what cost?

In the process we are becoming more and more narcissistic. Constantly taking cell phone shots and letting the world know our every move.  There is no “Big Brother” because we are becoming “Big Poppa”.

Constantly fixated on our impressions we make upon the electronic super highway that strips away our privacy.

Looking for the right angle or the right light.  Captivated by shadows in black and white. Embossed or wide angle lens.

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Bathroom mirrors and locker rooms have become model studios and impromptu photo shoots. We are on stage posing, even while we are a sleep.  

But yet it seems the narcissism is short sighted and only one part of this dance.  We are more focused on those out of reach than those in our grasp.  The make believe perceived self is more important than the real self.  Our online personas must be flawless.  So constant tweaking and adjustments must be made.

The Tweeter pic must tease to the tumblr that is just an introduction to my FacebookFacebook gives a public view of me, while Grinder reveals my sexual fantasies and availability.  Either way I am yours for the visual taking.

My image is my marketing ploy that brings me narcissistic joy.  I am selling myself to you or to all that is in my view.  I claim I care more about identity thieves than revealing what’s underneath my sleeves…sure you do.

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Discretion has now become a dirty word, but sex’ting and giving you all of me, in hopes of you getting to know me, so you can love me; is no longer a dirty word.

Some can only Skype if they “done up”, I am done with rhyming and I’m about to shut up.  But for real please just think.  Your life is all online in just one blink.

What is your level or narcissism?  This is more than pessimism.  To detach offline is not a bad thing. Discretion and privacy can be a good thing.  Those wondering, will have to read the book.  Versus just seeing narcissistic cliff notes, they will have to get to know you and take a real good look.  Just think………