“Dexter” actor Michael C. Hall and psychologist author Kevin Dutton talk about “The Wisdom Of Psychopaths”, Dutton’s second book, at the Rubin Museum of Art, on October 24. In his book, Dutton explores the positive side of being a psychopath, and discovers, first hand, in a groundbreaking ‘How to make a psychopath’ experiment, what it’s like to be one. Read the LIVE coverage after the jump.
What quality of Dexter would you want for your own?
His capacity for stress management.
The idea that Dexter is performing a service for society is an interesting twist… He’s the cuddliest serial killer. What separates humans from animals is our biggest fear, death. that fear explains our fascination w/serial killers. Dexter justifies his freedom by being a guardian demon rather than a guardian angel. Do you prepare yourself to play Dexter?
When I put on that kill suit, that does the job.
Do you ever have to let Dexter wear off?
Depends on what I’m playing that day.
Two things make psychopaths happy, instant gratification and control.
Dexter covers room with plastic to control chaos from kill. Whenever Dexter can’t release his controlled urges he risks losing control.
How did you research Dexter?
Read books, watched movies, didn’t talk to any psychopaths because I thought it would effect role.
Psychopaths are very positive people because they don’t care about the negative side effects of their actions. Ask yourself what would I do if I didn’t care.
Been wondering what I’m going to do when show is over, I’m thinking self help.
You could argue that Dexter is the way he is not because of his trauma with his mother, but because of the abuse of his father. It’s not really about his father any more, it’s him. He’s having a conversation with himself.
It is rare to meet a psychopath who doesn’t want to be one, usually they’re quite happy with their lives. Is Dexter happy?
Dexter has moments of happiness, or at least contentment, specifically after a kill.
LIVE coverage by Scientific American on Twitter. There will be a write up on Scientific American Blog in the near future.
