Sylvan Tomkins identifies four major Images of affect. Principles we live by, if you will:
Increase positive affect.
Decrease negative affect.
Decrease inhibition of affect.
Increase power.
In many ways, the most interesting one is number three, because it applies to all affect, positive and negative. Thus, you get drunk not only because you want to be able to finally express your lust for absolutely everybody, but also because you want to be able to revel in self-loathing. Maybe this is why people confess to affairs, too. It won’t increase positive affect, but at least the guilt will get to be fully expressed.

Yesterday, the beautiful woman with the almond eyes in one of my seminars gave an intelligent, thought-provoking presentation. Sometimes, I’m not sure how straight men and lesbian women avoid spontaneous combustion.