by Highbinder888Based on what I've read from all the stuff regular people write on sociopaths and psychopaths, I've noticed that common consensus is that once someone is proven to be a sociopath/psychopath, they're automatically deemed a manipulative genius. As a sociopath, it doesn't come naturally to me to have perfect manipulative skills and be the most intelligent guy.
Most aren't. Most are complete idiots. The biological reason for this is likely the lack of grey matter between the prefrontal cortex and limbic systems seen in psychopaths under study. The idea that psychopaths and sociopaths are manipulative geniuses is Hollywood fantasy, though you'll see traces of it right throughout popular literature because the manipulative villain fascinates the reader.
I'd also like to know why you consider yourself to be a sociopath - do you have a dx?
I feel that our way of looking at the world is what truly builds our manipulative skills and intelligence. I mean, most normal people don't see the importance of manipulation, so they don't seek to hone their manipulation skills. Also, I just think that we are more intelligent simply because we don't have all these dumb emotions clouding our visions of what truly matters in life.
Given that you have identified yourself as not possessing emotions, how can you be certain that there is a link between intelligence and emotion?
I feel that most people are perfectly capable of understanding the importance of manipulation, but this is conjecture. How would I actually know what most people perceive of the importance of manipulation? How would you? I know that I'm better at it than some and worse at it than others. That's it.
I don't think we were simply born with more intelligence and manipulation skill than most -- I think we developed them because of our sociopathic predispositions.
This is a contradiction of terms, at least to a certain extent. If there are genetic predispositions towards sociopathy then by definition the phenotype is a derivative of the genotype. However, you're quite correct when you speak of development - manipulation is a skill and like any other skill it requires practice, which necessitates learning. Successful learning demands a strong memory, however, which is why learning and memory are considered the cornerstones of intelligence. A sociopath who lacks one of the two would make for a very low-functioning sociopath.
But, this also means that some sociopaths fell behind. Some sociopaths figure out how to manipulate well far earlier than some others. We all aren't the evil genius the general public fears. But, that, in my opinion, is most of ours goal.
You might have actually hit the nail on the head here, or at the very least, you're growing closer the more you write. Sociopaths often want to be the evil genius, but aren't capable of it. And some do learn how to use the tools of their trade earlier, or faster, than others. I'd be interested in your perspectives on why this might be.