In his last book, 2005's "A Man Without A Country" my favorite author, Kurt Vonnegut (rest his soul) explained our current situation more concisely and clearly than anyone I've ever read. You should read that book. It's a quick, easy read.
In "A Man Without A Country", Vonnegut explains how many of the most powerful and "successful" people in the world today got that way: by being psychopaths. Vonnegut did not call them that as a slur or put-down, but in explaining a medical condition no different from Type 1 (genetic) Diabetes. In fact, Vonnegut recommended THE book on psychopaths, "The Mask of Sanity" written by Hervey Cleckley, M.D. way back in 1941.
As Wikipedia summarizes:
Cleckley describes the psychopathic person as outwardly a perfect mimic of a normally functioning person, able to mask or disguise the fundamental lack of internal personality structure, an internal chaos that results in repeatedly purposeful destructive behavior, often more self-destructive than destructive to others. Despite the seemingly sincere, intelligent, even charming external presentation, internally the psychopathic person does not have the ability to experience genuine emotions.
Can you see how a lack of genuine emotions, a lack of sincere empathy, and a brilliant mimicking ability would allow psychopaths to become extremely successful in the world today? If not, you should probably read Robert Hare's "Snakes in Suits", a modern look at psychopaths, or at least watch this awesome documentary about stinking fisheads...
