Donald Trump demonstrates - to those willing to listen to reason - why we should not listen to some opinions.
As a student of low self-esteem, I have been increasingly thinking about the link between narcissism, bullying and low self-esteem. Donald Trump offers us up a global example that we can all relate to.
Bullying is often a cause of low self-esteem. Continual criticism and mocking by somebody in a position of power can cause a vulnerable person to develop low self-esteem. The opinions of the bully as to the subjects worth are taken on board as being a truthful view. Using cognitive behavioural therapy techniques we can learn to question these views and develop an alternative, more realistic view of ourselves.
Donald Trump's opinions are clearly not based on more objective reality. On climate change, for example, he flies in the face of accepted scientific thought, opting for an opinion based not on observable reality, but on self-interest.
When we can see that a person's opinions are based on self-interest rather than objective reality, we can be sure that we can ignore them.