bestiary
Know the patterns. Name the tactics. Break their power.
🎭 The Gaslighter
Denies observable reality. "That didn't happen." "You're remembering it wrong." "You're too sensitive."
Documentation. Witnesses. Trust your memory.
Precision naming. "You're gaslighting me."
🔄 The Goalpost Mover
Changes requirements after you meet them. "Good" is never good enough. Rules only apply to you.
Get everything in writing. Point out the contradiction.
Witnesses to original agreements.
👤 The Scapegoat Creator
Blames one person for systemic problems. Creates "the problem employee" to distract from structural issues.
Refuse to pile on. Defend the targeted.
Asking "why does this keep happening with different people?"
⚖️ The False Binary
"You're either with us or against us." Eliminates nuance. Forces impossible choices.
Name the false choice. Offer third options.
"I reject the premise of this question."
⏰ The Urgency Demon
"We must act NOW." Creates artificial deadlines to prevent careful analysis.
Slow down. Ask questions. Demand time to consult.
"What happens if we wait one day?"
🕸️ The Isolator
Cuts targets off from support. Discredits outside perspectives. "Only we understand you."
Maintain external connections. Share information widely.
Transparency. Witnesses.
💕 The Love Bomber
Overwhelming praise and attention, creating debt and dependency. Then withdraws affection as punishment.
Slow down. Maintain other relationships. Trust discomfort.
Consistency. "Why the sudden change?"
🐍 The Flying Monkey
Does the dirty work of higher-level threats. May not know they're being used. Spreads misinformation.
Go to the source. Don't engage with proxies.
Asking "who told you that?"