By skyforbes 
If you’ve recently spent more than a few minutes browsing through TikTok, you’ve likely noticed a curious change — some behaviors that, when examined more closely, have a disturbing undertone but initially appear funny, relatable, or even inspirational. These are the most recent ways that narcissistic characteristics are being packaged, glamorized, and normalized for millions of viewers in 30-second spurts; they are neither harmless trends nor random personality peculiarities. The short-form, highly visual, and reward-driven nature of the platform itself creates the ideal environment for narcissistic behavior to thrive — not in the overt, arrogant ways that people anticipate, but rather in carefully staged micro-performances that seem genuine while simultaneously satisfying a strong need for dominance, control, and awe. Not only are narcissists coming up with new ways to show themselves, but these presentations are also becoming more widespread on a cultural level, gradually changing what we view as desirable, acceptable, and even aspirational in online encounters. If you can recognize these five themes, you’ll notice how they subtly teach viewers to accept self-serving manipulation as only another type of content production.
The concept of “performative vulnerability” is among the most pernicious recent developments. This appears to be someone talking candidly…