The three elements of Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy (we call them the Dark Triad) each represent a tightrope. Lean too far one way and you hurt other people; lean too far to the other side and you become incapable of taking risks, or being truly effective. The Dark Triad lies at the core of every fictional antihero. In each case, they have flaws but also provide us a fantasy of a more successful self. Think
