Thomas Avant
@tcavant.bsky.social
Writer, Progressive Southerner, Liberal Democracy Proponent
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Damaged-People-Narcissism-Foundation-Dysfunctional/dp/0578821664
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/damaged-people-thomas-avant/1138874224
Substack: tcavant.substack.com
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Damaged-People-Narcissism-Foundation-Dysfunctional/dp/0578821664
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/damaged-people-thomas-avant/1138874224
Substack: tcavant.substack.com
Pinned
Thomas Avant
@tcavant.bsky.social
· Feb 16
Reposted by Thomas Avant
“The point of modern propaganda isn't only to misinform or push an agenda.
It is to exhaust your critical thinking, to annihilate truth.”
- Garry Kasparov
It is to exhaust your critical thinking, to annihilate truth.”
- Garry Kasparov
December 6, 2025 at 4:20 PM
“The point of modern propaganda isn't only to misinform or push an agenda.
It is to exhaust your critical thinking, to annihilate truth.”
- Garry Kasparov
It is to exhaust your critical thinking, to annihilate truth.”
- Garry Kasparov
As Black Friday dawns, my latest Substack piece is a summary of the woes of predatory neoliberal capitalism and its adverse effects on a society that’s traded social welfare and empathy for consumerism, decadence, narcissism, and the commodification of everything. open.substack.com/pub/tcavant/...
Predatory (Neoliberal) Capitalism has led U.S. to Fascist Oligarchy
My book: Damaged People: Narcissism and the Foundation of a Dysfunctional American Society is available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
open.substack.com
November 28, 2025 at 11:27 AM
As Black Friday dawns, my latest Substack piece is a summary of the woes of predatory neoliberal capitalism and its adverse effects on a society that’s traded social welfare and empathy for consumerism, decadence, narcissism, and the commodification of everything. open.substack.com/pub/tcavant/...
The "false self" is a defense mechanism developed in childhood as a response to unmet emotional needs, acting as a shield to protect the true self from emotional and psychological harm. In narcissists, it's the armor against profound shame. open.substack.com/pub/tcavant/...
The False Self: The Narcissists' Armored Layer of Protection from Themselves
My book: Damaged People: Narcissism and the Foundation of a Dysfunctional American Society is available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.This Substack is reader-supported.
open.substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 3:37 PM
The "false self" is a defense mechanism developed in childhood as a response to unmet emotional needs, acting as a shield to protect the true self from emotional and psychological harm. In narcissists, it's the armor against profound shame. open.substack.com/pub/tcavant/...
It appears the shrine honoring white evangelical Christian nationalism’s favorite son is still up at this southern church. The pastor and congregation are thoroughly lobbying St. Peter to let Charlie Kirk through the pearly gates.
open.substack.com/pub/tcavant/...
open.substack.com/pub/tcavant/...
open.substack.com/pub/tcavant/...
open.substack.com/pub/tcavant/...
The "Favored" Ones: The Narcissistic Cult of Evangelical Christian Nationalism
My book, Damaged People: Narcissism and the Foundation of a Dysfunctional American Society, is available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
open.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:49 PM
It appears the shrine honoring white evangelical Christian nationalism’s favorite son is still up at this southern church. The pastor and congregation are thoroughly lobbying St. Peter to let Charlie Kirk through the pearly gates.
open.substack.com/pub/tcavant/...
open.substack.com/pub/tcavant/...
open.substack.com/pub/tcavant/...
open.substack.com/pub/tcavant/...
Reposted by Thomas Avant
Ahead of Veterans Day, I was honored to welcome a flight of veterans and their families as they arrived in DC.
November 11, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Ahead of Veterans Day, I was honored to welcome a flight of veterans and their families as they arrived in DC.
A message for America today in our decades-long descent into decadence, from the album Hunger Strike by the band, Temple of the Dog (1991).
This half-century slide directly corresponds to the rise of the radical conservative movement, which has strangled all American institutions.
This half-century slide directly corresponds to the rise of the radical conservative movement, which has strangled all American institutions.
November 3, 2025 at 12:24 PM
A message for America today in our decades-long descent into decadence, from the album Hunger Strike by the band, Temple of the Dog (1991).
This half-century slide directly corresponds to the rise of the radical conservative movement, which has strangled all American institutions.
This half-century slide directly corresponds to the rise of the radical conservative movement, which has strangled all American institutions.
Reposted by Thomas Avant
What he said Part 2: 💯 🎯
November 2, 2025 at 7:16 PM
What he said Part 2: 💯 🎯
As Mamdani closes in on the NYC mayoral seat, with tons of grassroots and Democratic voter support, it’s important to remember that the democratic socialism he represents is not “radical” or “extreme”; it’s public policy in most developed nations and has been for years.
substack.com/@tcavant/not...
substack.com/@tcavant/not...
Thomas Avant/Cultural Musings (@tcavant)
It’s interesting when you hear establishment Democratic politicians campaign these days. They’re similar to their Republican opponents in that they don’t discuss policy anymore. It’s because they don’...
substack.com
November 2, 2025 at 1:10 PM
As Mamdani closes in on the NYC mayoral seat, with tons of grassroots and Democratic voter support, it’s important to remember that the democratic socialism he represents is not “radical” or “extreme”; it’s public policy in most developed nations and has been for years.
substack.com/@tcavant/not...
substack.com/@tcavant/not...
For narcissistic leaders, it’s all about power and creating the illusion of their importance to those who have control over them. It’s a constant shell game that exhausts those who are forced to serve under their leadership. My advice: get out as soon as you can.
open.substack.com/pub/tcavant/...
open.substack.com/pub/tcavant/...
Narcissistic Workplace Leaders Create Narcissistic Organizational Cultures that Mirror the Leader's Flawed Personality.
Image: courtesy of https://www.psychotherapynetworker.org
open.substack.com
November 1, 2025 at 1:35 PM
For narcissistic leaders, it’s all about power and creating the illusion of their importance to those who have control over them. It’s a constant shell game that exhausts those who are forced to serve under their leadership. My advice: get out as soon as you can.
open.substack.com/pub/tcavant/...
open.substack.com/pub/tcavant/...
One of the greatest accomplishments of the United States and our democratic system is that our founders and early leaders understood the importance of keeping religion apart from government—a clear separation of church and state.
open.substack.com/pub/tcavant/...
open.substack.com/pub/tcavant/...
On Collective Narcissism and Religious Fanaticism
From my book, "Damaged People: Narcissism and the Foundation of a Dysfunctional American Society", published in December 2020
open.substack.com
October 31, 2025 at 12:15 PM
One of the greatest accomplishments of the United States and our democratic system is that our founders and early leaders understood the importance of keeping religion apart from government—a clear separation of church and state.
open.substack.com/pub/tcavant/...
open.substack.com/pub/tcavant/...
Reposted by Thomas Avant
“Difficult times require ‘radical’ solutions, as was the case a century ago. The ‘radical’ solution then was progressive government” and a New Deal for America. “The answer is the same today.”
Look to history for the answer. It’s time for a 21st century New Deal.
substack.com/@tcavant/not...
Look to history for the answer. It’s time for a 21st century New Deal.
substack.com/@tcavant/not...
Thomas Avant/Cultural Musings on Substack
For any sustained period of progress - similar to the Great Prosperity - and to rebuild our social safety and government structure after the destruction of Trump/MAGA, we’ll need a progressive Democra...
substack.com
June 4, 2025 at 11:24 AM
“Difficult times require ‘radical’ solutions, as was the case a century ago. The ‘radical’ solution then was progressive government” and a New Deal for America. “The answer is the same today.”
Look to history for the answer. It’s time for a 21st century New Deal.
substack.com/@tcavant/not...
Look to history for the answer. It’s time for a 21st century New Deal.
substack.com/@tcavant/not...
Reposted by Thomas Avant
If your savings account can’t buy you a yacht, maybe stop voting like it can.
October 27, 2025 at 9:10 PM
If your savings account can’t buy you a yacht, maybe stop voting like it can.
Martin Luther King, Jr.:
“Nonviolent direct action will continue to be a significant source of power until it is made irrelevant by the presence of justice.”
“Nonviolent direct action will continue to be a significant source of power until it is made irrelevant by the presence of justice.”
October 27, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Martin Luther King, Jr.:
“Nonviolent direct action will continue to be a significant source of power until it is made irrelevant by the presence of justice.”
“Nonviolent direct action will continue to be a significant source of power until it is made irrelevant by the presence of justice.”
Reposted by Thomas Avant
Gallego: "It's murder. It's very simple. If this president feels they are doing something illegally, then he should be using the Coast Guard. If this is an act of war, then you use our military and then you come and talk to us first. But this is murder ... it's disgusting."
October 26, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Gallego: "It's murder. It's very simple. If this president feels they are doing something illegally, then he should be using the Coast Guard. If this is an act of war, then you use our military and then you come and talk to us first. But this is murder ... it's disgusting."
As I’ve always said, if the vast majority of Americans - poor and middle class economically - banded together to confront the true oppressor (oligarchs and plutocrats), we would have the most vibrant democracy worldwide, with a higher quality of life for all.
open.substack.com/pub/tcavant/...
open.substack.com/pub/tcavant/...
Dumb, White, and Angry with Their Cup Half-filled
The Unyielding Base of Support that has Buoyed the Republican Party from the Civil Rights Era through MAGA.
open.substack.com
October 26, 2025 at 1:47 PM
As I’ve always said, if the vast majority of Americans - poor and middle class economically - banded together to confront the true oppressor (oligarchs and plutocrats), we would have the most vibrant democracy worldwide, with a higher quality of life for all.
open.substack.com/pub/tcavant/...
open.substack.com/pub/tcavant/...
Reposted by Thomas Avant
Ed Luce watching democracy die in the United States of America
October 24, 2025 at 6:53 AM
Ed Luce watching democracy die in the United States of America
Reposted by Thomas Avant
True American exceptionalism: the authoritarian leader doesn’t need to shut down the legislature, because his minions within the legislature can do it for him. All completely legal and constitutional!
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/25/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/25/u...
Keeping the House Absent, Johnson Marginalizes Congress and Himself
www.nytimes.com
October 25, 2025 at 10:40 AM
True American exceptionalism: the authoritarian leader doesn’t need to shut down the legislature, because his minions within the legislature can do it for him. All completely legal and constitutional!
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/25/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/25/u...
Reposted by Thomas Avant
it’s wild that this is just sort of the most openly corrupt administration of all time and they’re just allowed to do that and most media doesn’t say a word about it
October 25, 2025 at 3:22 AM
it’s wild that this is just sort of the most openly corrupt administration of all time and they’re just allowed to do that and most media doesn’t say a word about it
The Mayo Clinic lists 9 characteristics of those with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). You'll see these characteristics inherent in many in positions of power today and throughout American government. Sadly, the American culture of narcissism has reached new heights.
October 25, 2025 at 12:03 PM
The Mayo Clinic lists 9 characteristics of those with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). You'll see these characteristics inherent in many in positions of power today and throughout American government. Sadly, the American culture of narcissism has reached new heights.
I’m still trying to fathom how a judicial body (SCOTUS) could possibly rule, in good faith, that the Biden Administration engaged in presidential overreach with its student loan forgiveness plan; yet there’s been no intervention to stop this gangster regime from any of its unlawful acts.
October 24, 2025 at 10:04 PM
I’m still trying to fathom how a judicial body (SCOTUS) could possibly rule, in good faith, that the Biden Administration engaged in presidential overreach with its student loan forgiveness plan; yet there’s been no intervention to stop this gangster regime from any of its unlawful acts.
Reposted by Thomas Avant
Your regular reminder that we desperately need to overturn Citizens United and get big money out of politics.
It is among the worst Supreme Court decisions in history.
It corrupts our political system every day.
It is among the worst Supreme Court decisions in history.
It corrupts our political system every day.
October 24, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Your regular reminder that we desperately need to overturn Citizens United and get big money out of politics.
It is among the worst Supreme Court decisions in history.
It corrupts our political system every day.
It is among the worst Supreme Court decisions in history.
It corrupts our political system every day.