Narcissism of small differences

Crawley theorized that each individual is separated from others by a taboo of personal isolation, which is effectively a narcissism of minor differences.

[3] For Lacanians, the concept clearly related to the sphere of the Imaginary: the narcissism of small differences, which situates envy as the decisive element in issues that involve narcissistic image.

[5] It has been pointed out that Jonathan Swift in his 1726 novel Gulliver's Travels described this phenomenon when writing about how two groups entered into a long and vicious war after they disagreed on which was the best end to break an egg.

[7] The phenomenon has been portrayed by the British comedy group Monty Python in their satirical 1979 film Life of Brian,[8] by the comedian Emo Philips,[9] and by author Joan Didion in an essay (part of her 1968 book Slouching Towards Bethlehem) about Michael Laski, the founder of the Communist Party USA (Marxist–Leninist).

[11] "In numerous cases of apparently ethno-nationalist conflict, the deepest hatreds are manifested between people who—to most outward appearances—exhibit very few significant distinctions."