Oliver James on Envy

29 Nov 2009

Speakers: Oliver James

Oliver James begins by stating that in English speaking societies, being normal runs the risk of being mad. Envy forms a great part of this potential madness and is the willingness to act destructively to express jealousy. James explains that there is a direct relationship between envy and wider social problems - in the workplace those who are envious have low self-esteem and little job satisfaction. They may have ill will and bad relationships with colleagues that spill over into personal relationships. Envious students find themselves under supported and are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression.

Socially, envy works on a level of comparability, James illustrates. It often exists within genders not across them, within people with obvious similarities not differences. Envy is also closely related to narcissism, the desire for attention and incessant jealousy at those who acquire excessive attention. Narcissists also attract envy, promoting the idea that they have something others don’t – be it skills or material possessions. He criticises Stephen Fry as a prime example of an envious narcissist, someone who is ‘jammed on transmit, and the signal is: 'I am cleverer than you’. Such behaviour is not only destructive but it is an obvious signal of insecurity, a vulnerability which can develop within the first six months of a humans life.