Machiavellianism, hot or not?

[No****]

Machiavellianism is a personality trait that denotes cunningness, the ability to be manipulative, and a drive to use whatever means necessary to gain power. Machiavellianism is one of the traits that forms the Dark Triad, along with narcissism and psychopathy.

Turn on or turn off?

[x_Missy_x]

Turn on, because to pull it off needs great, intelligence and skill!

[Pe****]

Turn off. Manipulative people aren’t usually very nice in my experience

[Deleted Member]

Complete turn off. It does not need great intelligence and skill. All that is required is *** cunning and someone dumb enough to fall for it.

[Deleted Member]

I avoid these people at all costs as I don’t tolerate *** or opportunist behavior

[So****]

Yeaa that’s not a thing … I want you all too submit completely cause I’m ya big wolf daddy & you live to c*m for me

[xm****]

This makes me think of my one ex, that explains a lot…charisma is the attractive feature but you quickly get over that when the *** (whatever form) begins to rear itself.

[Ra****]

Seems like a term nerds use to justify being a d**khead. 👎

[No****]

Machiavellians can be deceitful, manipulative, competitive, and cynical. They are excellent long-term planners and strategists. For them, there is no other favorable outcome other than their "win." Their ambition can initially be perceived as admirable but can later turn dark.
As with any situation of harm, if you find yourself on the wrong end of a Machiavellian, it is less important to diagnose the person who is demonstrating these behaviors. Instead, focus on the ways that you can protect your mental health for the duration of the relationship—and get out as soon as you can if necessary.

[Deleted Member]

“Whatever means necessary to gain power” = ***, intimidation ie abusive behaviour 👎

[Deleted Member]

If it's a turn on, odds are it's for unhealthy reasons, speaking from personal experience. So I flat out ditch them the second anyone exhibits signs of those traits.

[sv****]

Makes me think of my ex. I avoid these people like the plague

[Deleted Member]

Turn off. They are parasitic in nature and do not form healthy relationships.

[Ra****]

😂😂😂

[br****]

Yes it is a turn on

[ad****]

I don't want someone to objectify me and see me as a means to an end, so I don't wish to do that to anyone either. Curious to hear how it could be a turn on for others (though I suspect it's actually the associated traits that people actually find attractive, not the manipulativeness)

[No****]

If one is fully committed, it's impossible to manipulate.

[CopperKnob]

I don't think that any of the dark triad personalities are particulary appealing.
There is thinking that Machiavellians are a sub cat of psychopaths. But if we take the
Machiavellian trait itself, deceitfulness, a lack of empathy alongside manipulative behaviours, none of those would I seek in a friend, let alone a Dtype.

[Ap****]

Our dynamic structures/hierarchies often require that level of cunning with the ambition of

[Ap****]

Keeping power in the dynamic. To keep everything without our ability to control. I speak from the perspective of Dom/Domme M/MS. So granted the manipulation is only necessary for when dealing with outside opposing ***s. Those who would wish to ruin a scene for an example. To take control of that situation, and move them along so we can enjoy our partners company in peace.

[Ap****]

Now, I do not advocate using that power to manipulate people outside of their boundaries/limits. It's excellent to explore, but cruel to yank someone into something new without fully talking and exploring. As leader roles in the dynamic, we do have to read and understand our partners. Most importantly a "No", or a tentative uneasy "Uhm" outside of a scene and playing a role should be subject to any manipulation.

[No****]

4 hours ago, CopperKnob said:

I don't think that any of the dark triad personalities are particulary appealing.
There is thinking that Machiavellians are a sub cat of psychopaths. But if we take the
Machiavellian trait itself, deceitfulness, a lack of empathy alongside manipulative behaviours, none of those would I seek in a friend, let alone a Dtype.

That's not completely true. Machiavellianism is can be very empathetic, just a different kind... cognitive empathy.

[ey****]

I'm boggled that this is even a serious conversation.

Particularly in kink there's a very strong saying of "submission is given freely or not at all"

A sub deceiving a Dominant isn't submission and a Dominant deceiving a sub isn't 'given freely' 

let alone in any other type of relationship 

[Ap****]

Should not be subject*

[Do****]

Turn off. Because I've been with someone like that and it's a nightmare. Being manipulative is ***. Kink is about consent and respect. If you are manipulating your partner, then you do not respect them - dynamic is dead.