Hello readers, today’s entry for #January Light(here) features this old gas light:
This old light was discovered in Winter Garden, Florida (12-2018)
And Now — time for the “non-square” photos to show some details of this old gas length.
One of my goals for 2020 is to share some health tips and bio hacks in the posts I share.
So for this post – I want to share about gaslighting as unhealthy manipulative behavior.
WHAT IS GASLIGHTING?
Gaslighting is a term coined to describe a series of manipulative behaviors that result in emotional and mental abuse to another person. A targeted individual will begin questioning their actions, emotions, and eventually their sanity because of the gaslighting manipulative behaviors.
The Head Games song by Foreigner (1979) comes to mind when I hear the term gaslighting. I do not think it is the same kind of behavior they are singing about – but still – this song comes to mind.
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The term, gaslighting, comes from George Cukor’s 1944 movie, Gaslight, which was based on Patrick Hamilton’s play, Gas Light, which was called Angel street in the US.
In the fictional Gaslight story, a conniving husband plays head games with his wife and makes her think that she is going crazy. He hides and displaces various articles and when she notices, he tells her she either lost the items or can’t remember moving them. The husband’s goal is to steal his wife’s inheritance (tsk, tsk – what people do for money…). When she sees the gas lights in her room fading – she is then led to believe it was not really happening and she starts to question her sanity. The husband was constantly altering the gaslights and denying there were any changes.
- “There are two main reasons why gaslighters behave as they do,” said Dr. Sarkis. “It is either a planned effort to gain control and power over another person, or it because someone was raised by a parent who were gaslighters, and they learned these behaviors as a survival mechanism.”
- Gaslighting techniques come in many forms. Gaslighters need control and power. In a relationship, they need to be in charge, and they need to be right about everything.
- More info about gaslighting behavior here at Mindcology
- If you suspect you are being gaslighted, pay attention to what the person does, not what they say. Gaslighters say one thing, but their actions say another.Don’t listen to someone who constantly tells you “you’re crazy” or makes similar comments that make you routinely question yourself.
Closing with a Fun Video
This person had their car “Gas Light” on (you know, when you are riding on fumes…) – lol
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Interesting thoughts about gaslights and gaslighting, Yvette. We must always be alert to the dangers of manipulation, even if it’s not as serious as gaslighting. As far as the gas light being on goes, we don’t call it gas here, we call it petrol or fuel.
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Likewise in England the fuel used in cars is called petrol, however gaslights in buildings is called gas as it actual gas that is piped through. They were the precursor to the electric light and can still be found in some residential and commercial homes!
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Okay Becky and Norah – I just belted our the “my gas light is on” song but put in the word “petro”
my petro light is on…. gonna see if I can make it to the house”
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lol!
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It’s fascinating that gaslights are still in use. I’m not aware of any here, though gas is still used for cooking and heating in many homes – either piped in or bought in cylinders.
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Hi – good point about the gas stoves.
I know a few folks who have spent a good chunk of money to get a gas stove installed in their home – We almost did that in our house – and decided not to – because it would not have been easy to do at all – but we miss cooking with a gas stove.
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I have a new induction stove and love it. I had gas for cooking in only one house and the only thing I recall about it was the smell that indicated the cylinder was nearly empty. Phewee! 😂 I’ve heard that gas is on the way out as the best for cooking and that induction is quickly replacing it. It is certainly efficient.
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Hi Norah – I like how you noted that not all hurtful behavior is as serious as gaslighting – and most of us will likely never encounter such devious and harmful abusive behavior – – but still good to be alert – good points
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Yes. It is important to be alert.
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🙂
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You always have an interesting take on things, Yvette. 🙂 🙂 Wishing you and the family a healthy, happy 2020!
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Thanks restless Jo and happy new year to you – it is going to be a great year!
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Great song choice Yvette 🙂 It is a terrible thing that people do
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😊🎼
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Love the way you put this post together, Yvette. Illuminating all round 😉
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Thanks Tish and the illuminating play on words was like a bow! P
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Gaslighting is such a terrible behaviour, thank goodness though in the last year or so people are really beginning to understand what it is and our justice system respond appropriately
Love your gaslights, they still exist here in England. I have stayed in a house where they had them in the bedroom, and they are also in a pub near my mum. Not used on a daily basis anymore, but they are still switched up to the mains gas and work. Scary!!
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Wow / how cool
That places still have them and they work! We sure have come a long way with lighting in the world and expect to see some fun artificial and natural lights with your January challenge 😉
And now that you mention it – it seems this last 18 months has had the term “gaslighting” come up a lot in psychology – and good to bring awareness for anyone being victimized – ugh
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Great take on the challenge 🙂
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Thank you Amy
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Oh, my! Seeing Winter Garden in print — how I do miss it! Psychological gaslighting is a horrible thing.
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Hi linda! I tyorLly thought of you woke in winter garden (it was a while ago now but you had already moved to GA) and I thought of you when I added that in.
(do not always add the location of my photos but I am trying to do so as I know some folks like knowing)-/
Anyhow – remember you are right where you need to be – ☀️❤️
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That’s a pretty pricy gaslight, Yvette, but it certainly led you to an interesting post. That type of manipulative behavior is reprehensible.
janet
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The other comment disappeared – but notice that it was marked down and maybe someone will snatch it up after a third markdown ??
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That is funny face in the video. It makes me wonder how funny I would look if I am in her place. Just for fun 🙂
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I know – I wonder what many of us would look like – and with you – those cat whiskers would be all stretched and your cute cat ears would be extra long (kidding)
And her video reminded me of when Apple computers had “photo booth” –
My art students loved seeing the distortions –
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Your comment give me a big smile. So funny!
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Very creative post…I’ve been gaslighted many times, as well as spent time “riding on fumes” to my destination!
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Hi luanne – thanks for chiming in…
And the other day I was trying to make it somewhere by a certain time and the gas light was on- so I grabbed the van of gas in the garage (used for the mower) and put it in the trunk in case I needed it.
I was fine getting there and filled up soon after – whew
And so yes – have ridden on fumes a few times here
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Thanks for the lesson – I had never heard of that before! I’m pretty sure I haven’t encountered a gaslighter in my lifetime, I hope I never do! Neat photos to go with your post too!
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Thanks Shelley – and never met a gaslighter either – but do know three folks with narcissism – one of them has HIGH narcissistic personality disorder and once we realized this diagnosis – we were able to respond and work with him more – still not easy but being in the know helps –
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Yikes – that doesn’t sound like a fun person to be around. Glad you knew how to recognize and get away from them!
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🙂
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In the last few years I’ve noticed an alarming pattern emerging — gaslighting narcissists who accuse others of gaslighting them. It’s truly disturbing and had me running for the hills!
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Hi Joey – that is a good point about how personality disorders might go hand in hand with this unhealthy behavior –
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Interesting. I didn’t see the movie, I did remember reading the story in Hitchcock magazine.
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Well that was a new term that I learned today Yvette – I had never heard it before. I liked the old fixtures and gas pipes and how you tied it into this post.
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An interesting post Yvette. I love your photos featuring the gaslight.
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thank you, C
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