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The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry

Book by Jon Ronson · 9 quotes · Psychology, Humor, Architecture

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The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry Quotes

“When you gaze into the eyes of another person, you can only see as far as his closed door,' [Gary Maier] said. 'So take this as an opportunity to knock on that door. If he doesn't want to open the door you bow to him and you say, "That's fine. When you're ready."' 'What would be behind their closed doors?' I asked. 'Freedom,' said Gary.”

Freedom
Book:The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry
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“The DSM-IV-TR is a 943-page textbook published by the American Psychiatric Association that sells for $99...There are currently 374 mental disorders. I bought the book...and leafed through it...I closed the manual. "I wonder if I've got any of the 374 mental disorders," I thought. I opened the manual again. And instantly diagnosed myself with twelve different ones.”

PsychologyMental HealthMental Disorders
Book:The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry
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“Practically every prime-time program is populated by people who are just the right sort of mad, and I now knew what the formula was. The right sort of mad are people who are a bit madder than we fear we're becoming, and in a recognizable way. We might be anxious but we aren't as anxious as they are. We might be paranoid but we aren't as paranoid as they are. We are entertained by them, and comforted that we're not as mad as they are.”

Chapter 8Page 210
Book:The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry
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“A stab had clearly once been made at de-uglifying these public spaces by painting a corridor a jaunty yellow. This was because, it turned out, babies come here to have their brains tested and someone thought the yellow might calm them. But I couldn’t see how. Such was the oppressive ugliness of this building it would have been like sticking a red nose on a cadaver and calling it Ronald McDonald.”

HumorArchitectureOppressionUglinessBuildingsOppressiveRonald McdonaldCadaver
Book:The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry
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