Return of Psychobabble - OpenAI's Sam Altman Puts Elon Musk on the Couch

During the heyday of Freudianism in America, it was like The New Yorker cartoon type of funny: Everyone had been putting everyone else on the couch. That is, the therapist couch. 

There were deep dives into the psychological root causes of what was obstructing their work, relationships and especially their sex lives. The assumption was that getting to the bottom of things (ID, Ego, SuperEgo) would cure self-defeating behavior. In its place would be run-of-the-mill unhappiness. Sigmund Freud never promised a rose garden. 

After that blind faith in such psychological probing peaked and finally soured, such robust analysis was labeled "psychobabble." Those still stuck in doing that elicited mockery, along with an eye-roll. In addition, the era of litigation was emerging. The content of your psychobabble could constitute defamation. 

Well, old-fashioned psychobabble has returned and is making headlines. OpenAI's Sam Altman, who to our knowledge isn't a licensed therapist, has classified his nemesis Elon Musk as "insecure." He also adds on the assessment that Musk is not a happy guy. Freud might have agreed with the latter since none of us are destined for happiness.

Right now in our results-driven times what matters is achievement. No one gives a damn about if your ID, Ego and SuperEgo might be colliding or otherwise malfunctioning. Just keep working. Keep paying the bills. And, if you are daring enough, go out there like Musk and break some rules. Today in O'Dwyer Public Relations I published an article on how rule-breakers, that is disruptors, make those big breaks for themselves. 

If we wanted to enter a time warp we could put Altman on the couch. My hunch is that he's conflicted in his tech career path. He might long to be a psychotherapist. 

In coaching I advise clients to assume in professional life that we're all a mess - and then go on from there.

As an intuitive career coach/tarot reader I uncover the opportunities/obstacles in your earning power that others miss. Free confidential consultation. If we work together, fees are custom-made for your budget. For an appointment: contact Jane Genova (text/phone 203-468-8579, janegenova374@gmail.com). In-person and remote.


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