“Stray bullet” — An essay on narcissism and violence

Abstract

This essay discusses connections between narcissism and daily violence, even if occasional. Starting from the connection between traumatic neurosis and narcissism, it approaches narcissistic synthesis, its facilitation and its failure when faced with the recognition of alterity; it articulates violence and narcissistic trauma, illustrating with the “stray bullet” case, in order to show the indifference implied and to evaluate the role of mass media in making public such episodes of violence.