http://www.npr.org/blogs/theprotojournalist/2014/08/21/341858696/is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-good-psychopath

This admittedly short and fluffy article is applicable to TRP - it reviews a book "The Good Psychopath's Guide to Success" which explains how psychopathy can actually help you achieve your goals and is not necessarily inherently evil.

Their checklist of psychopathic traits includes: charisma, charm, coolness under pressure, fearlessness, focus, impulsivity, lack of conscience, mental toughness, reduced empathy and ruthlessness.

I wouldn't call all of these psychopathic traits, but overall you can see how these sorts of traits can help a man survive in the world and project a strong image. These will help with amused mastery, confidence, and generally not giving a shit.

"None of these characteristics are inherently bad in themselves," Kevin says. "When they become dysfunctional is when they are deployed inflexibly in the wrong contexts."

In other words, psychopathy is amoral, and whether it is good or bad depends on how it is applied.

Of course, this theory has ruffled a few feathers:

"The words 'psychopath' and 'success' should never be in the same sentence," Lillian says. "Psychopaths are dangerous people, and to encourage someone to act like a psychopath is both irresponsible and dangerous."

I'll have to put "The Good Psychopath's Guide to Success" on my book list. If anyone has read it already, I'd love to hear about your impressions.