Hi everyone, before I get to this week’s reading recommendations, I first want to say thanks for the overwhelmingly enthusiastic response to the QUIET Revolution projects idea. Look for a kick-off of the public speaking project next week!

And here are three picks for the weekend.

1. How to Spot a Narcissist: An interesting read from psychologist and blogger Scott Barry Kaufman, exploring the inner workings of the narcissist. (For more on the (large) role narcissism plays in our culture, check out Christopher Lasch’s 1979 book, “The Culture of Narcissism.” It’s dated, but still an enlightening read.)

2. Living with Chronic Bitchface: A laugh-out-loud funny cartoon on the phenomenon of walking down the street deep in thought and being ordered to smile. Thx to reader Roxanne for sharing this link!

3. Who Is This Man, And Why Is He Screaming? The Inside Story of a Shy Photographer Who No Longer Owns His Own Face: Here’s the story of Noam Galai, an extremely shy, and brave, photographer. When a rusty steam pipe exploded a building in midtown Manhattan, terrifying the population and exposing craters in the streets, Galai ran to the scene to document the catastrophe with his camera — while everyone else ran away.  His photographic self-portrait also became a worldwide inspiration, as you’ll read. (That’s him in the picture up top.) Thanks to reader David Allen Fitts for sharing this link.

The article made me think of one of my favorite Charles Darwin quotes:

“A shy man no doubt dreads the notice of strangers, but can hardly be said to be afraid of them. He may be as bold as a hero in battle, and yet have no self-confidence about trifles in the presence of strangers.”

Have a brave and happy weekend.

Related posts:

1. My Mother’s Lover: Reading Ideas for the Weekend
2. What To Read This Weekend: The School of Life (Ideas to Live By)