The Two Selves in My Friend Addict

Abstract

My friend Addict has two selves: good and bad. The bad self preys on the good self. Their interactions give rise to Addict’s periodic feeling of conflict. I find that, to diminish the bad self, we cannot simply try to harass the bad self or favor the good self; we must begin by diminishing the good self. This remedy works like the scorched-earth tactic in a battle. Only by starving the bad self will we succeed in preserving the good self.