Maurice: Interesting analysis (infra vide) on similarities between reaction formation and the Stockholm Syndrome. The term "reaction formation" was used by Freud to describe an ego mechanism of defense in which a person deals with an unacceptable impulse (or emotion) by seeming to adopt the opposite position. Some historians have argued that J. Edgar Hoover harassed homosexuals in the FBI because he himself had homosexual leanings. In the context of the current discussion, I was only suggesting that Limtex's daily prediction that QCOM would fall to the 20's or below might actually indicate that he finds the prospect of such a move in the stock price to be highly disturbing or emotionally (and financially) unacceptable. Rather than saying: "if the stock goes to the 20's, I will need to go out and get a job," he predicts that the stock will go to the 20's-- perhaps exactly because he finds the prospect of such a move so disturbing. The Stockholm Syndrome, on the other hand, is a relatively more recent term-- coined in 1973 when some Swedish bank workers sympathized with and defended the criminals who held them captive for 5 days. I think most people would say that this syndrome is more akin to what Freud referred to as "identification with the aggressor" or just plain "identification."
I should say that reaction formation, taken to its extremes, can take the form of obsessional neurosis.
None of that on this board, I might say. I think we're just a bunch of well adjusted guys, including the now optimistic, analytical, and jocular Limtex. One big happy family.
Incidentally, I think it is too early to claim the victory in the Toaster Open. As much as you may want the toaster, or indeed, need it, I think we should wait until the end of the year and act surprised when Hedgefund bestows it on the lucky winner.
j.
"That reaction formation idea looks like Stockholm Syndrome by another name = we are of course scared of the reaction of powerful people if they think we are not toeing the party line. Moslems line up like rows of iron filings, all pointing to Mecca" |
