For one - by the very people you counsel. You provide boundaries and then don't abide by them. They exploit you for a free service - some even refuse to do the bare minimum you ask and yet, you continue to see them. No consequences, no issues.
I imagine some get special treatment too, at the detriment of yourself. It's often the case. People are inclined to take a mile from the inch given.
But my feelings on your patients are clear. I won't digress.
The issue stands in the matter of more dire scenarios - of being exploited by someone stronger than a whiner. Someone inclined to control. A person who sees you as even less than a personal service.
[ As with so many things Akechi says, it hurts and heals at the same time. Feels good to have that acknowledged by someone else, feels bad to acknowledge it himself. ]
I know. And I don't like it any more than you do.
But I suppose I'm only going to prove your point by saying that I believe people need someone in their corner more than I need - well, anything. Trust me, Akechi, I hear what I'm saying. You don't need to point it out.
There's more I could say on the topic, but moving on to your true point...
Yes, that's always a danger. I like to think I'm good at reading people and can tell when someone is genuinely manipulative, as opposed to simply emotionally needy. That said, I'm not infallible. When it comes to someone with the motive and means to exploit someone to truly do harm, I'm as exploitable as anyone else is.
And what good is someone in your corner when they don't practice what they preach?
What good is a person trying to lecture you on values they themselves don't abide by?
What good is a hypocrite to someone in need of help?
A parent teaches a child by enforcing rules they, themselves, follow. A child learns the rules by witnessing the actions of a parent.
A counselor who purveys and preaches a way to live, while their visible actions dictate they do otherwise - it's interesting, is all, how people justify their own shortcomings.
Being exploitable is a choice, not a consequence of an unjust world. You choose to let others control you or you don't. You choose to abide by boundaries, or you don't.
Those who exploit will do it by any means necessary and are never satisfied. You have to be at the top of your game with no vulnerabilities they can spot. I can see yours from a mile away.
You're counseling the counselor right now, you know that, right?
I'm joking... mostly.
I agree with you. I'll even take what you've said a step farther: I realize that I get away with this hypocritical behavior because, for the most part, the people who need my services are so wrapped up in themselves and in viewing me in terms of my role that they don't have much interest in analyzing my behavior outside of our sessions.
"For the most part" being the keywords there. But I don't want to digress too much.
Do you think that your own vulnerabilities aren't easily spotted? That's a genuine question.
As long as you're aware and know it's an issue. I suppose that's all I can ask. I'm not suited for any type of counselor role, but I'll assume the point of such discussions with them are to bring things to light over settling on a specific answer.
It's not so different discussing philosophy in that way.
My vulnerabilities exist, of course, as few as there are. I'm only human, but they aren't visible or exploitable unless I allow it.
That's correct. I never have the answers for anyone. And that irritates some people! But I really am just here to have conversations like this and draw these hidden truths and pains out into the light.
You can imagine that the opposite doesn't happen very frequently. So while I truly was kidding about you counseling me, I still have to thank you for talking to me like this at all. Few do.
Okay, I'll bite. How do you safeguard yourself like that? What you have in place to ensure those with nefarious intent can't see or exploit your weaknesses?
Not be rude, but I'm not surprised some who wallow in your office have difficulty realizing they need to do something for themselves, instead of allowing someone else to choose a path for them.
And you're welcome. As stated, it's a discussion I've owed you and I got tired of waiting for you to take the first step.
I'll let you in on a secret - one I suspect you've gleaned in our time together. It's about a maintainable image. I'm not talking about my celebrity one, though it is a necessary mask to wear.
It's an infallible one. No cracks, no way for them to slip a noose over your head or a gun to your back - hypothetically, of course.
You provide a weakness to them, like bait on a lure. You can even let them control you to an extent, to get the metaphorical monkey of your back. Never allow that inch to become a mile. Never give in more than necessary. Allow them to see what you want them to, so they'll look away when they think they know all of you.
Of course, that's a rather extreme scenario and a hypothetical I have yet to encounter.
It simply comes down to willpower and self-control.
[ Without another word, Maruki silently gets out of bed, walks into Akechi's room next door, topples the moon statue over onto its side – fully aware it will magically right itself shortly – and walks back out.
Sorry, I just had to check on another example to make sure it was still hypothetical.
What were we saying? Ah, yes.
I certainly understand the importance of maintaining an image as a means of self-defense. Where we differ is that the image I've cultivated is exploitable by design, and not as a means of baiting anyone. So the question becomes: Fortify what I've already built, or tear it down and start anew? Either way, it would raise suspicion if - pardon my language - I suddenly started being much more of a hardass.
We're talking about my life as a counselor, but we're also not talking about that.
I'd like us to speak less obliquely about this, but I won't do it yet if you'd prefer to wait. Up to you.
Maruki needs a break - Akechi's on the network to pass the time when-
Door opens. Maruki enters. The statue makes a loud thump that goes against the so called 'quiet hours' Akechi has to abide by. Interesting. Goddamn hypocrite.
It rights itself immediately - turns to stare at him.
[ He's not rising to that bait. Not right now. But he is going to whack Akechi the next chance he gets. Bastard. ]
You're trying to warn me that I'm going to be exploited for my continuing work in cognitive psience - especially now that I'm aware of the cognitive world, personas, etc. - and those who would exploit me for that are far more powerful, manipulative and slippery than run of the mill counseling patients who take advantage of my availability.
How I'm exploited now is emotionally draining and tiresome. How I could be exploited in the future is actively dangerous.
While I do need to strengthen my boundaries with my patients, I also need to get better at wearing a mask in my dealings with those in our true reality who could do real harm to me so that I don't give them any more opportunity than they already have.
And just as an aside to all of this: I told you that I believe my research was stolen, so this has already begun happening.
[The blunt words feel sharp against his skull - a topic danced around again and again in blinding light, despite Akechi's dark room.
Even if he were to say 'no' at this point, the damage has been done a thousand times over with every piece of knowledge he's provided, every time he failed by not saying 'no' previously.
What does it matter what an ant knows when a foot is hovering over them?]
I can't confirm or deny anything per the standards of my position. I take my job seriously.
I fear I've seemed a little flippant, but I promise I'm taking everything you've said to heart. And I'll try to begin bolstering my own best practices here so I'm better prepared to do so when we return to the true reality.
However, if this ends in mobs of emotionally compromised individuals upset that I take two days off instead of one, I'm sending them to you.
Good and by all means, I would happy to discuss the value of time with them. Henri Bergson had some rather interesting ideas I wouldn't mind bouncing off your patients.
[Akechi Goro, PSiD but the P is Philosophy and the D is Damn fuck those whiners.]
There is no confirmed way to enter the cognitive world in our reality. I want to make that clear to you now.
If you find yourself there, leave. If you manage to get in, refrain.
My investigation relies on your compliance with this. My request is not forever. I understand your need to research it - I wouldn't deny you that, though I will always advise against it as a member of law enforcement.
While I cannot give a date, it will be made clear to you when the matter is resolved. My hope is-
Within a month or so of my return. Before New Year's Day, more than likely.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
no subject
You're exploitable.
That's not to say you're a pushover or that you're weak - while that may seem synonymous with my statement, that's not the case at all.
no subject
Interesting. How so, then?
no subject
I imagine some get special treatment too, at the detriment of yourself. It's often the case. People are inclined to take a mile from the inch given.
But my feelings on your patients are clear. I won't digress.
The issue stands in the matter of more dire scenarios - of being exploited by someone stronger than a whiner. Someone inclined to control. A person who sees you as even less than a personal service.
no subject
I know. And I don't like it any more than you do.
But I suppose I'm only going to prove your point by saying that I believe people need someone in their corner more than I need - well, anything. Trust me, Akechi, I hear what I'm saying. You don't need to point it out.
There's more I could say on the topic, but moving on to your true point...
Yes, that's always a danger. I like to think I'm good at reading people and can tell when someone is genuinely manipulative, as opposed to simply emotionally needy. That said, I'm not infallible. When it comes to someone with the motive and means to exploit someone to truly do harm, I'm as exploitable as anyone else is.
no subject
What good is a person trying to lecture you on values they themselves don't abide by?
What good is a hypocrite to someone in need of help?
A parent teaches a child by enforcing rules they, themselves, follow. A child learns the rules by witnessing the actions of a parent.
A counselor who purveys and preaches a way to live, while their visible actions dictate they do otherwise - it's interesting, is all, how people justify their own shortcomings.
Being exploitable is a choice, not a consequence of an unjust world. You choose to let others control you or you don't. You choose to abide by boundaries, or you don't.
Those who exploit will do it by any means necessary and are never satisfied. You have to be at the top of your game with no vulnerabilities they can spot. I can see yours from a mile away.
no subject
I'm joking... mostly.
I agree with you. I'll even take what you've said a step farther: I realize that I get away with this hypocritical behavior because, for the most part, the people who need my services are so wrapped up in themselves and in viewing me in terms of my role that they don't have much interest in analyzing my behavior outside of our sessions.
"For the most part" being the keywords there. But I don't want to digress too much.
Do you think that your own vulnerabilities aren't easily spotted? That's a genuine question.
no subject
It's not so different discussing philosophy in that way.
My vulnerabilities exist, of course, as few as there are. I'm only human, but they aren't visible or exploitable unless I allow it.
no subject
You can imagine that the opposite doesn't happen very frequently. So while I truly was kidding about you counseling me, I still have to thank you for talking to me like this at all. Few do.
Okay, I'll bite. How do you safeguard yourself like that? What you have in place to ensure those with nefarious intent can't see or exploit your weaknesses?
no subject
And you're welcome. As stated, it's a discussion I've owed you and I got tired of waiting for you to take the first step.
I'll let you in on a secret - one I suspect you've gleaned in our time together. It's about a maintainable image. I'm not talking about my celebrity one, though it is a necessary mask to wear.
It's an infallible one. No cracks, no way for them to slip a noose over your head or a gun to your back - hypothetically, of course.
You provide a weakness to them, like bait on a lure. You can even let them control you to an extent, to get the metaphorical monkey of your back. Never allow that inch to become a mile. Never give in more than necessary. Allow them to see what you want them to, so they'll look away when they think they know all of you.
Of course, that's a rather extreme scenario and a hypothetical I have yet to encounter.
It simply comes down to willpower and self-control.
no subject
A hypothetical that you've yet to encounter, I mean.
no subject
1/3
Right. Of course.
Hey, one second, something just came up.
no subject
Back in bed, cosy-wosy. ]
no subject
What were we saying? Ah, yes.
I certainly understand the importance of maintaining an image as a means of self-defense. Where we differ is that the image I've cultivated is exploitable by design, and not as a means of baiting anyone. So the question becomes: Fortify what I've already built, or tear it down and start anew? Either way, it would raise suspicion if - pardon my language - I suddenly started being much more of a hardass.
We're talking about my life as a counselor, but we're also not talking about that.
I'd like us to speak less obliquely about this, but I won't do it yet if you'd prefer to wait. Up to you.
1/2
Maruki needs a break - Akechi's on the network to pass the time when-
Door opens. Maruki enters. The statue makes a loud thump that goes against the so called 'quiet hours' Akechi has to abide by. Interesting. Goddamn hypocrite.
It rights itself immediately - turns to stare at him.
He fucking hates this place.]
no subject
OKAY. No good deed goes unpunished - Maruki owes him several matches instead of the one.]
It wouldn't be a look you could pull off, quite frankly. A 'hardass' would have difficulty begging for backrubs on the network.
Feel free to state what you want.
no subject
You're trying to warn me that I'm going to be exploited for my continuing work in cognitive psience - especially now that I'm aware of the cognitive world, personas, etc. - and those who would exploit me for that are far more powerful, manipulative and slippery than run of the mill counseling patients who take advantage of my availability.
How I'm exploited now is emotionally draining and tiresome. How I could be exploited in the future is actively dangerous.
While I do need to strengthen my boundaries with my patients, I also need to get better at wearing a mask in my dealings with those in our true reality who could do real harm to me so that I don't give them any more opportunity than they already have.
And just as an aside to all of this: I told you that I believe my research was stolen, so this has already begun happening.
Am I on the right track here?
1/2
Even if he were to say 'no' at this point, the damage has been done a thousand times over with every piece of knowledge he's provided, every time he failed by not saying 'no' previously.
What does it matter what an ant knows when a foot is hovering over them?]
I can't confirm or deny anything per the standards of my position. I take my job seriously.
no subject
A minute later. Two. Akechi can't keep track of how long his fingers have traced the edges of each button.]
But as an ally-
You should reread what you wrote and make note of it all.
no subject
Heard and understood.
Thanks.
I fear I've seemed a little flippant, but I promise I'm taking everything you've said to heart. And I'll try to begin bolstering my own best practices here so I'm better prepared to do so when we return to the true reality.
However, if this ends in mobs of emotionally compromised individuals upset that I take two days off instead of one, I'm sending them to you.
1/2
[Akechi Goro, PSiD but the P is Philosophy and the D is Damn fuck those whiners.]
no subject
I have one final request in relation to our discussion. Will you hear it out?
no subject
no subject
If you find yourself there, leave. If you manage to get in, refrain.
My investigation relies on your compliance with this. My request is not forever. I understand your need to research it - I wouldn't deny you that, though I will always advise against it as a member of law enforcement.
While I cannot give a date, it will be made clear to you when the matter is resolved. My hope is-
Within a month or so of my return. Before New Year's Day, more than likely.
Can I trust you to abide by this?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)