Your Worst Enemies, Part One

Most of the people in this world are willing to support each other. They enjoy good friends, love their families and try to do good things. They are kind and pleasant social people.

Unfortunately, a small percentage of the people in this world are not kind, pleasant or social. They seem to enjoy hurting people to give themselves some kind of benefit. You can find them in every country, every profession and every neighborhood. You probably know a few.

Antisocial people are cruel, hostile or negative. They are those who oppose you, treat you with disrespect and cause you trouble. They are usually secretive.

They are the biggest enemies of your work and personal success.

“When we trace the cause of a failing business, we will inevitably discover somewhere in its ranks the antisocial personality hard at work.”

“It is important then to examine and list the attributes of the antisocial personality. Influencing as it does the daily lives of so many, it well behooves* decent people to become better informed on this subject.” — L. Ron Hubbard (*behooves: to be necessary or proper for)

One of the most famous antisocial personalities was Adolf Hitler. Hitler loved children and pets. He was a vegetarian who neither smoked nor drank. He was kind and considerate to women, secretaries and chauffeurs. People thought Hitler was a nice guy, yet he ordered the deaths of millions of people.

Most antisocial personalities are not famous. In fact, they are rarely obvious.

They can be anyone: doctors, lawyers, politicians, business leaders, police officers, newspaper reporters, employees, men, women, old, young . . . anyone. They can be family members, spouses and colleagues. You probably know a few antisocial people.

When antisocial people are openly nasty or critical of you, you know who they are. They say, “You’re such a stupid idiot” or “Your idea is the worst of all.” You know they are your enemies as they stab you in your chest, not your back.

However, the worst types of antisocial persons are those who hide their true intentions. They stab you in the back so you can’t catch them. They say, “I don’t think your idea is 100% stupid, but everyone thinks it is.” or “I heard a rumor the police are investigating you, right?” or “Stop pretending you are doing well. You look very tired, so why don’t you go home.”

Example

Antisocials make you ill. For example, you are enjoying your day and getting a lot done. Suddenly, for no apparent reason, you feel a little upset. Your stomach and head hurt.

So you review who just talked to you.
* Mary gave you a report and made a nice comment about the weather.
* Fred asked to borrow your pen and was polite.
* The computer guy needed to look at your computer and commented how everyone hates your new software.

You think, “What was the computer guy talking about? Why did he waste so much of my time? And why are the computers always having problems? I’d better watch out for this guy.”

Suddenly, you feel better. You have spotted an antisocial person. Your day is pleasant again.

L. Ron Hubbard identified certain characteristics of the antisocial person. The first way to spot them is to notice how they speak.

Generalities

“The antisocial personality has the following attributes:

“1. He or she speaks only in very broad generalities. They say . . .’ ‘Everybody thinks . . .’ ‘Everyone knows . . .’ and such expressions are in continual use, particularly when imparting rumor.” — L. Ron Hubbard

Examples of generalities:

“Everyone is having a rough time.”
“They don’t like anyone who’s too successful.”
“We’re all having troubles because of the government.”

Whenever you hear a statement that starts, “Everyone says . . . “ or “All the employees think . . . ,” you must perk up your ears. You have just heard the beginning of a generality.

Now if the generality is a good message, you can relax. “Everyone thinks you are doing a great job!” “No one was late today.” “All the carpenters appreciate the wood you bought.”

However, if the message is negative, the speaker is pointing a knife at you. “No one believes your little act.” “Everyone thinks the pay is too low.” “No one wears their hair like that any more.”

One reason the news media is such a bad influence on society is because of their generalities. Just listen to the news or read a newspaper and you see generalities. “America was shocked and saddened . . .” “Sources revealed that . . .” “Critics wonder why . . .”

How to Respond

“When asked, ‘Who is everybody . . .’ it normally turns out to be one source and from this source the antisocial person has manufactured what he or she pretends is the whole opinion of the whole society.” — L. Ron Hubbard

Karen Example:

You: “Karen, you say everyone thinks I make too much money. Who exactly?”
Karen: “Oh, uh, well, you know, everyone I talk to. It’s common knowledge.”
You: “Can you tell me who exactly?”
Karen: “I don’t know, I can’t remember. I’ll ask around.”
You: “Okay, but if no one really said it, you need to stop saying things like that to me.”

Social Personality

While the antisocials are tearing down the world, the social personalities are improving it. Constructive people make life better for those around them. Fortunately, most people are social personalities.

Social personalities are opposite of the antisocial personality. For example, they are specific.

“The social personality is specific in relating circumstances. ‘Joe Jones said . . . ‘ ’The Star Newspaper reported . . . ‘ and gives sources of data where important or possible.

“He may use the generality of ‘they’ or ‘people’ but seldom in connection with attributing statements or opinions of an alarming nature.” — L. Ron Hubbard

Examples: “Patty and Joan want raises.” “Everyone’s happy you’re back from vacation.” “Steve loved your speech.”

Even if the social personality is passing bad news, it is not upsetting. For example, “Kelly and Roger closed their business so they could help their son produce documentaries.” An anti-social would say, “Everyone’s business is failing, just like Kelly and Roger’s.”

Recommendation

Every time you hear a generality regarding bad news this week, reject the information. Then ask “Who is everybody?” or “Who exactly?”

Read next: “Your Worst Enemies, Part Two.”

Watch this terrific video to learn about anti-social personalities.