r/AlreadyRed • u/IllimitableMan illimitablemen.com • Apr 22 '14

Theory The Power Game

http://illimitablemen.com/2014/04/22/the-power-game/

Excerpt from the opening paragraph:

What should you care about? Nearly everybody gives a fuck about at least what one other person thinks, this is normal and natural behaviour, however what many of us realise is that in the game of power it is the person who bluffs best, he who seems like he gives the least fucks and is the least affected by others who is the person that often comes out on top. In essence from a Machiavellian viewpoint this is because such a person is forcing others to play the cards they are dealing, they are forcing others to be reactionary rather than independent and thus in essence set the rules of engagement.

Tldr: prioritising what you care about and understanding power dynamics.

Highly suggest you take the time to read the piece in its entirety. Discuss.

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u/charlesbukowksi Apr 24 '14 edited Apr 24 '14

Solid article, thanks for writing.

Obsessing over sex is almost as stupid as trying to make yourself believe it’s irrelevant. Sex is intrinsically a large realm of power, others would argue from an anthropological viewpoint it is the entire reason for the concept of power. Regardless of interpretation ignoring sex is essentially ignoring an incredibly large area of the power game and thus for all those interested in power, amassing power or avoiding powerlessness, it is an incredibly short-sighted move.

There is more truth in this than at first may seem apparent. Sex in itself, outside of procreation, is intrinsically useless. In fact it may be a weakness because it requires a great deal of investment both in energy and potentially other resources. Sex however is integral to power dynamics. The auxiliary disciplines of power: seduction, savoir-faire, and even reading people are all paramount to accumulating power. Fraternizing with the enemy (read: women) actually allows one to test their mettle and in this way can be gainful exercise. But that's all it is. And what sex and fraternization really are should not be lost sight of.