Talking of reflection, I’m wondering, as a newbie here in Jellyland, whether there is actually a bit of competitive narcissism in this very thread…
My family connections include one (dead) alcoholic narcissist, with pathological tendencies. One naive and slightly pathetic one, in early middle age, for whom life simply has not given back the worth they expect; and one in retirement, whose intransigence has left a trail of unfinished business and deliberately forgotten shame. All have behaved unbelievably cruelly, or stupidly without apparent awareness.
They do not form a ‘cohesive group’, when out in the world, but as family, have endured and been endured as company on many occasions. If required to ‘pull together’ for some collective purpose (which seems unlikely but does happen), they would, if the benefit were plain to each. The narcissist’s way, from experience, takes many forms; all designed to leave the persona either ‘right’ and unquestionable as such, or untarnished (oh, no, that wasn’t me).
So, I am still looking for a word, as a singular, that describes the group, the collective, the gang, the mob. It would be great if that were poetic and modern, I like ‘reflection’, but it is obvious!!! Sorry to be picky, but hey, it’s my question…
Oh, where’s ma mirror…