Power
“What you have to understand about my people is that they are a noble people. Humility is their form of pride. It is their strength; it is their weakness. And if you can humble yourself before them they will do anything you ask.” -Frank Underwood, House of Cards
I learned an interesting lesson on power from watching House of Cards. My role as InterFraternity Council president this semester has really pushed my leadership abilities to the limit and without realizing it, I was already using this technique.
When trying to have something go your way. Rather than telling a person what to do, instead plant a seed in someone else’s mind and trick them into thinking it was their idea. Even if you already have the authority to tell someone what to do, this technique encourages them to become much more passionate about whatever it is since they believe it to be their idea and hides your own agenda. In a sense, it is very humbling to allow others to take credit for your ideas, but there is a certain power from being in this position. Delegating in this way allows you so much influence over others because they feel indebted to you for leading them to this revelation of theirs and because you can manipulate their pride to advance your own interests. Is manipulation evil or just a necessary quality of a good leader?
Don’t know why this is what I decide to post on here, but here’s to all nighter’s and adderal.
Haven’t posted in awhile, here’s some economics
“Short of winning the lottery, education is the best route to a change in class status. Yet, because of the obsolete, factory-like nature of high school, which fails to propel at least a third of its students, and the confiscatory cost of college, the next rung up for 18-year-olds is becoming another haven for the rich.”
-Timothy Egan, New York Times
Full article: http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/14/downton-and-downward/?ref=opinion
This quote ties a couple themes together that I’ve touched on in earlier posts. First of all, our economy sucks mainly because of the horrible combination of inequality and exploitation that comes out of capitalism. If you don’t agree or don’t understand please read Marx and Engel’s Communist Manifesto and Marx’s Capital. Secondly, our education system - grade school especially - is completely fucked up. The combination leaves the disadvantaged with no chance at rising out of their social strata and no choice but to be exploited by those who are fortunate enough to be born into wealth and power. The few who do make it out only do so through sheer luck, or at the least, heavy reliance on it. Any who actually succeed from hard work and merit are quick to conform to the status quo of ignoring the unfairness at the top for fear of losing the fruits of their labor.
If I didn’t love my family and owe my life to making theirs as wonderful and worthwhile as possible then I would abandon the meaningless pursuit of wealth and make some real changes in this world. #sigh
The "UnaBomber"
I resent that people reject Wikipedia, it’s such a great source of information. Anyways, read about this guy. If you don’t let his crazy actions turn you off, you can actually find some value in what he has to say. Particularly, look at the section titled after his manifesto, “Industrial Societies and its Future.”
