The extremist lives in a bubble, a delusion, that takes what is a fragile and weak ego and creates a fantasy world in which they are important or strong. Thus their Achilles heal is to take apart this twisted and sick alternative reality. First, the idea that others want what they want, or are secretly hiding hate, or would follow them if the other options were removed... this needs debunking. Secondly, other options for building real self esteem and an actually strong ego need to be put into motion, otherwise they will seek the "Bonnie and Clyde" exit strategy. They need to see that even if they were the last asshole standing the "sheeple" (as they see it) still would reject them - but - if they do "xyz" then they can gain true acceptance and join the "herd" instead. Countering extremists is not carrot and stick, it is cold water and a warm towel.
"Everyone I meet is FBI. I'm a top secret project, don't you know. They have more files on me than JFK. They think I'm extraterrestrial because of what I can do... and no, don't ask unless you want to be on their list too. I have a 'tail' everywhere I go, even to the hair salon. They never let up, no matter how boring I get."
"Did I tell you about the ones who steal? They come in the night and take my saliva. Sometimes they steal hairs from my head or clip at my nails. It's the DNA they want you know - to make the clones. That's what happened to my family. Those people you saw aren't really my family, they're already the clones."
"Everyone here isn't real. You're all just projections of the machine. It's all a test you see. One day the simulation will just stop and I'll wake up in my real body - not this human one."
"I don't belong in this time. At night I travel forwards and backwards, seeing things that aren't meant for the eyes of others. The time lords trust me, you see. One day they'll take me away for good, so don't be scared if I just disappear, be happy that I've escaped."
"No, Tim. I'm not crazy. I've seen them, the Men in Black. They don't chase aliens though, just people like me with super sized brains. They taken 'em, see, link the brains to some supercomputer they've got out in Area 51. So if you know what's good for you, man, act dumb. Mess your head up on dope or something... I did that... it works, man."
"You don't know the half of it, Jake. Aliens walk among us and you don't even know. They come in the night and take out blood - not so much as you'd miss it. That's where all the vampire stories come from, from before they got all high tech and snuck in unseen with hypodermics."
Silly me. I am crazy after all, but unless someone can prove it I guess I’ll carry on my God given mission without the hinderance of a straight jacket and a chemical cocktail for my brain. Did I tell you about the time I ran barefoot through the forest in my nightclothes because I knew for a fact that the demons were after me, chasing me? What a damp evening that was, almost twilight too, quite rough underfoot. Funny story, now that it’s old. I didn’t laugh much at the time though. It was as enjoyable as being chased by an axe wielding murderer. I can still feel the way my heart almost exploded with the strain and my lungs felt like they’d been given an acid bath. And then there was the psyc nurse “gang rape” at the end of it, clothes ripped off, male onlookers, forced face down for an injection. Remember to ask me about it later, we can giggle about it over some decaf coffee, it’s all I drink.
Can you imagine this brain on caffeine, holy crap, I’d be burning holes in the carpet just by running around so fast. Anyway, enough of that. I’m a bit tired now and the kids will be home soon. Isn’t anyone missing you yet? Don’t you need to go home? What did you say? I can’t get much volume out of you. You asked if we're talking about Kitty tomorrow? Oh no, not at all. You can see her though, she’ll be so happy you came back. Tomorrow you get to meet a dear old friend of mine, Dakota. Take care now and if you remember that life is more important than money, you’ll be more awake than most people you know. Have a great sleep. Just let yourself fade away, I’m sure you’ll be back home in a jiffy. There, you’re already looking more ghostly, bye! Same time tomorrow!
Found in Are you awake yet? - first draft, authored by Daisy.
Tamsin stared into the cheap mirror. It wasn't even glass. All she could tell from her reflection was that yesterday's coiffured up-do was more like a bird's nest. She supposed it could have happened when the cops took her down, or maybe it was the nurses. So hard to remember. She had been in a showroom of exotic cars trying to use her college fund as a down payment. It had been so red and shiny, an investment! It would only be a matter of days before MI5 formalized their arrangement anyway. This system of messages in the papers and on the radio was getting too obtuse. She needed proper orders and a dossier. Once out of here she would contact them in the usual way, morse code, flashing the lights on her porch. It had to be the last time though, mother was suspicious and had the ear of the doctor. She sat on the edge of her thin mattress and began to plan how to spend her new salary. She'd go to a different showroom for the car of course, then they would be sorry for their rudeness.
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