Donald Trump’s run for president is baffling — until you read The Art of the Deal

[swag]

http://www.vox.com/2016/7/7/11700888/the-art-of-the-deal-trump

Zack Beauchamp

Excerpt:

. . .

Of all the books Trump has published — a surprising number for a man who says he doesn’t have the time to read books — The Art of the Deal is the most famous for a reason. In it, Trump reveals a lot about how he thinks about the world. At times, it feels almost like a Trump Rosetta stone: a guide for deciphering even the weirdest things Trump has done in this campaign cycle.

What you learn about Trump from reading The Art of the Deal is that he doesn’t see deals as business transactions so much as measures of one's success at life. If that's the case, then you're justified in doing anything — anything — to make sure you come out on top.

This all stems from a fundamental Trump belief: Life is a competition for status, which you win by having the best stuff and the best people admiring you. Money helps, to be sure, but getting a lot of cash isn’t enough. You need to be recognized as one of the greatest at what you do, with the greatest things and best life, to have really succeeded.

Some people will hate you, and that’s fine, if it’s the “losers” doing the hating. Some hate, in fact, is even desirable — so long as it helps you make deals that help you climb the world’s status ladder.

And looking back on what he wrote then, we can see now that running for president isn’t about ideology or policy for Trump. It’s about winning the ultimate status competition.

. . . more

[randr]

1. Basic narcissism 101

Maybe we should be looking at Mr. Trump as a suffering individual. It is not nice to make fun of mentally ill people and he certainly qualifies as one sick puppy. But what the hell, as long as the MSM keeps setting him up for profit, lets have a go at punching the clown.

[seabeckind]

2. I believe that was a criticism leveled at a certain advisor

a couple years ago.

Something about compromises.

Ahh, probably just my faulty memory.

[Wisc Progressive]

3. You are beginning to understand. Resistance is future -- better for let your brain absorb the fog

Blame it on a faulty memory if that makes those around you feel better about inconvenient truths. It is much wiser to accept that which you cannot control and follow the orders given through the media. It is not acceptable to question. Do not try to reason why. Let go of that impulse to think independently. The path of least resistance is obedience.

Compromises help, but a malfunctioning memory, a purposeful forgetter, is the best way to move forward boldly into the future. Fix your gaze ahead and do not look back at the past. Doing so will only make others uncomfortable and prevent you from assimilating into the numbed and compliant masses.

When you "forget", you cannot be responsible for anything, but that which your masters tell you to do today. There is no need to justify any actions if we are doing what we are told. There is no reason to waste time thinking. You can free yourself of all decisions and the consequences of each choice there was no need to make. Free will prevents us from reaching our individual and collective potential.

Memory serves no purpose in modern society, as we now have enriched media that will tell us what we knew and what we need to know. Paradoxically, this same media then helps us forget and return to ignorant bliss.

[ancianita]

4. Trump: "...I play it very loose. I don't carry a briefcase. I try not to schedule too many meetings.

I leave my door open. you can't be imaginative or entrepreneurial if you've got too much structure. I prefer to come to work each day and just see what develops. There is no typical week in my life."

[milestogo]

5. I can't wait to see him lose.