Every Situation Provides an Opportunity for Learning

So what can be gleaned from our current state?

I am an idealist. I think that is obvious to all who read my previous treatise. Don't be fooled by my complaints of unfulfilled expectations. I am aware of how one survives, yea, even thrives in a world ruled by predators. I am familiar with the canons of dominance. I have read The Art of War link and the Holy Bible [no link needed].

I thought it might be fun to list here some of principles I see in play as I scan the media.

In no particular order I give you:

How to Thrive Among the Animals

Rule Number One: Take What You Want

No matter how you pretty it up, survival among the animals is just a matter of taking what you want, or getting others to give you what you want. Actually the second one is the preferred option because it may require less work in the long run. If it makes you feel better, say it's not a want, but a need. That changes everything. Or not.

Establish yourself as a risk-taker and person of action.

The less aggressive among us will give way to the more aggressive. The person of action's action helps to off-balance the situation. Action forces others to pause to assess. Rapid multiple actions serve to reduce resistance. Keep moving, moving, moving.

Make allies by telling them what they want to hear.

Keep no qualms about exaggeration or outright lying. The need of the moment dictates what is said. Of course some thought is given to unwanted consequences of promises made. Keep things as vague as possible for as long as possible. If people think you are their ally, that is all that counts.

Keep your opponents off balance.

Who are your opponents? Everyone who does not actively support your aims. Being unpredictable is a proven strategy.

Strengthen alliances by providing a common enemy.

Nothing creates unity like a common enemy. If you think your allies are too weak for their own good, make yourself a threat. They will bunch up tighter and will become a more formidible force.

Always plan more than one payoff for any single action.

If you have only one win scenario in mind when you start down a course of action, you're thinking too small. There's always a chance you may not get what you wanted, and so everything you expended is now wasted. If you plan multiple ways of winning, when things don't turn out exactly as you hoped, the effort will not have been in vain.

Keep your weapons sharp.

This is true for everything from knives and spears to technicians and armies. Boredom is to armies as rust is to a blade.

Command fear from any who oppose you.

Anyone who opposes you is an enemy. It doesn't matter their nationality or where they live.

Loyalty and respect are reserved for those who are stronger than you.

It is in your best interest to keep that list as small as possible. Loyalty and respect can be expensive.

Appease those with resources.

Those who have what you may need in the future must be made to believe they are in your inner circle. Everyone else should be kept at arm's length.

Subject those without recourse.

The weak pose the least threat, and will be subject to someone. It might as well be you. There are any number of great tools to use to keep the masses under subjection. Fear is the most powerful. Fear of you, fear of the government, fear of the wrath of God. Take your pick.

I think that's enough.

So that ends my list of life lessons scraped from the media content of our advanced civilization's status quo. Maybe I have all this out of my system now. I certainly don't plan to write any more like these last two any time in the foreseeable future. All this reminds me of an old saying about a pig in a dress . . .

I keep looking for things that work. Hand me a wrench.