Keywords:: PermanentNote
Reference: R: The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
Your power is determined by the number and quality of connections you have.
We live in a universe where everything from the smallest to the largest entities is a network. If you look at the neurons in your brain under a microscope and then look at a night photoshoot of a big city from above, they will look very similar – millions of cells connected.
You are not just one person. You are the sum of all things that connect to you. Each place you visit, every relationship, and each idea changes who you are. These experiences create connections that enable and disable particular possibilities. Like with neurons in your brain, things that wire together fire together.
That said, a hostile environment (places, people, ideas) will impact you negatively. Each second spent there will tax your existing connections, thus changing you towards the negative end of the spectrum. If you want to grow and become more powerful, always look for a positive and productive environment.
People think in associations, therefore, you must become associated with positive things by the powerful. Find ways to inspire positive associations. In general, develop unique and useful qualities and never be the bearer of bad news.
PN: To persuade think in networks of associations: People think in terms of associations. Concepts that are linked together are more likely to be brought to our attention. If you're linked to positive things, people will think about you in positive terms.
Laws
Law 5: So much depends on reputation - guard it with your life.
Law 10: Infection: avoid the unhappy and unlucky
Law 11: Learn to keep people dependent on you.
Law 18: Don't build fortresses to protect yourself - isolation is dangerous.By isolating yourself you're cutting yourself away from valuable networks of people and ideas.
Law 20: Never commit to anyone.
Law 23: Concentrate your forces.
Law 24: Play the perfect courtier.
Law 32: Play to people's fantasies. Never tell the truth if it inspires negative feelings. Use fantasy instead. The more you are associated with positive things the better for you.
Law 34: Act like a king to be treated like one. By being royal in your daily acts, you inspire the connections that are linked to kings and queens. Features like power, confidence and respect.
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