How to Turn Evil in 3 Easy Steps

No one is born evil, but everyone has the ability to become evil.

Evil = Sadism + Power - Empathy

It is the combination of Sadism, Power, and Lack of Empathy that contributes to the correct mindset to do evil things.

Something in here separates you from you-in-prison

The elements alone do not make an evil person...

1) Empathy

Empathy is often mistaken for being emotionally sensitive. However, it is merely the ability to project yourself onto others. The process is extraordinarily selfish- it is all about you- but it is empathy that separates you from assholes.

Lacking empathy is like lacking wi-fi. You simply do not connect to others.

Missing this vital link with others creates a phenomena where you objectify others. An easy way to visualize this is to think of a chair. This is an object which is beneath you. You own the chair, and you make the choice of whether the chair stays or goes in the trash. You do not consider the chair something you can have an equal relationship with.

"If you hit me, do I not bleed? Wait... I don't. Continue as you will."

Now let's imagine you're stuck in a cave with nothing but this wooden chair, and let's suppose you do not begin bonding with this chair because you lack companionship. It is freezing and you need to make a fire. You look over at the chair and think, "I can simply burn this wood." And so you do.

You do not visualize yourself as the chair: being torn apart and burned alive. You do not agonize over the karmic repercussions of your actions, and you do not question your ethical standards. I mean you could, as I previously pointed out, but you generally wouldn't under normal circumstances.

There is no desire to have empathy for the object...

... Unless it is a human-chair hybrid... 

... or several humans fashioned into a chair.

Essentially, going back to the original statement, empathy is not about being sensitive towards others. It is about vicariously living through them. Since you wouldn't want horrible things done to you, your empathy stops you from doing horrible things to others. You have the capacity to pick and choose who and what you care about, which this is why we are not all self-absorbed egocentric maniacs.


2) Power

Power is the perceived sense of authority. I use the word "perceived" because power is a relative term. We have to deal with power struggles on a daily basis in our mundane lives. Think of the last time you had a metaphorical tug-of-war with someone over an action or idea, and you'll discover that power struggles can happen over the smallest of details.

Sometimes it's a matter of survival.

Being empowered can be beneficial for society, especially if your ambitions are to help the greater good or to innovate something for future generations. There is a reason the common saying goes, "With great power comes great responsibility." The truly power-hungry aim for more power than they can handle.

When you seek to become the most powerful in the game of life, your efforts come off as malicious. Power-hungry people seek positions where they can look down on others and have ultimate control. Politicians become dictators; spiritual people become preachers; scientists become scientists; etc.

Mad Scientists: Ruining the magic of science for the rest of us.

3) Sadism

Sadism, the gaining of pleasure from hurting others, is the first thing to be pointed out in an evil person, and that is why I left it for last. I'm going to explain how being sadistic does not automatically make someone an irredeemable asshole.

Put your assumptions to the side and hear me out: There will always be assholes in every niche of life. What I'm going to discuss refers to respectful relationships, which are just as possible in every niche of life.

In the kink/fetish community a Sadist and a Masochist aim to be equals. 

Most people are used to sadists who either abuse their power or lack empathy for their partner, but I am talking about those who have common sense and courtesy. In Sadomasochism (S&M), it is common for cuddles to come after beatings because it is a sign of open communication and, more importantly, respect. A Sadist who shows an appreciation for the Masochist is generally not looked down upon. Out of context, of course, sadism still treads the lines of unforgivable violence.

Dear Everyone, respect in the bedroom actually exists.

We may not agree with the people who willingly ask to be hurt and abused, but we must respect their right to give over their authority to another person. It is difficult to comprehend, but a masochist in this situation has as much control as the sadist... at least that is the ideal. The thing to remember about an S&M relationship is that it should be treated like any other relationship: a two-way street. The Masochist has to take as much responsibility for their actions as the Sadist.

The negotiation of limits and the requirement for aftercare, such as cuddles, are the tools used to avoid abuse from either the Sadist or the Masochist, as long as both are explicit about their needs. These tools are also cut out of porn because they're the "boring" part, you know, with all the talking and the feelings being shared.

We have to be conscious of our assumptions. Reasonable sadism is not a one-way ticket to hell.

Sadomasochism, when done properly/respectfully, is the only time that safe, consensual sadism is acceptable and even sought after. People who desire to hurt others have the opportunity to find someone who enthusiastically consents to being hurt, and that is the healthiest way to get the sadism out of their system.


What does this all mean?

Evil is a mindset, perhaps even a psychological disorder...

A lot of times we see assholes who exhibit one or two of the traits and we call them evil because we don't like assholes. Then "evil" becomes a diluted term and is thrown around at the smallest discrepancies.

Real evil should not be taken lightly. The next time you point to someone and call them evil, ask yourself if they qualify for the Psychopath package. 

Fortunately, most people don't.