Can Power ever fade away

After Mondays lecture I think we have seen what Power has done in our lives and I wonder if there are any people who think that Power can ever fade away.
By Jared

Is Power a good thing or a bad thing?!

I agree with Adam...
And I think I have finally jumped off the fence! Power is a good thing!
It all makes sense after that last lecture!

Janna Cory

Not spefically about power....Just something to think about

Below is a link that i saw a few years ago that really changed the way i thought about my life.

I believe it to be true and ever since i heard it, i have seen everything differently.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERbvKrH-GC4&feature=channel_page

Is Power a Good Thing or a Bad Thing?

Power is a good thing. Without power nobody would ever need each other. Nobody would need to interact with anyone. Nobody would need to buy anything. Nobody would need anything. Power is life because life is need. Without power we would all die because we could not survive. Power is in a seed that is growing because the farmer needs the food that it will bear. Power is essential. Power gives opportunity, gives a meaning for survival, it gives a meaning for life. Power is need, but that is the essence of life. People live their entire lives devoted to religion because of a need to be something after they die. They are living for a need. Power is remarkable, it can be subtle, or it can be blunt. Power isn’t having a lot of money. Power is the need for someone else to want your money. Power isn’t knowing a lot of people. Power is having a lot of people that need you. Power is not in material things. Power is in having people that want to have those material things. Power is in being able to identify the needs of others and use that as leverage to gain what you need. Power a good thing because without it, nothing would have a meaning for existence or survival.
By Adam Haick

My passion

One of the things I have loved and worked hard for is cricket. I think that growing up it made me see that if you work hard for something you can be good at it. One of the players I admired was Shane Warne because he could win a match by himself and he was regarded one of the best spinners (which is a form of bowling in cricket). He could control a game by just talking and bowling at the same time. I think that's why I had decided to become a spinner because of him. But the unfortunate thing was that in his life he was caught with scandals that ruined his career. I think seduction was a major cause for this. But up to now many regard him as a legend of cricket. So do I.
By Jared

George Lucas

I think Star Wars is the best thing that ever the movie industry and here is a quote I found on some website which deals with quotes of people who have contributed a lot in society. I think George lucas has and here is his Quote from
thinkexist.com/quotes/george_lucas/

“You have to find something that you love enough to be able to take risks, jump over the hurdles and break through the brick walls that are always going to be placed in front of you. If you don't have that kind of feeling for what it is you are doing, you'll stop at the first giant hurdle.”
By Jared

Movies for Thought

I was thinking a lot about movies that revolve around power and I wanted to share some of my favourite movies for your thought. They are:

Requiem for a Dream - The hopes and dreams of four ambitious people are shattered when their drug addictions begin spiralling out of control.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0180093/

Lord of War - An arms dealer confronts the morality of his work as he is being chased by an Interpol agent.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0399295/

Batoru Rowaiaru (Battle Royale) – In the future, the Japanese government captures a class of ninth-grade students and forces them to kill each other under the revolutionary "Battle Royale" act.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0266308/

Schindler’s List - Oskar Schindler uses Jews to start a factory in Poland during the war. He witnesses the horrors endured by the Jews, and starts to save them.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108052/

Boiler Room - A college dropout gets a job as a broker for a suburban investment firm, which puts him on the fast track to success, but the job might not be as legitimate as it sounds.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0181984/

No Country for Old Men - Violence and mayhem ensue after a hunter stumbles upon some dead bodies, a stash of heroin and more than $2 million in cash near the Rio Grande.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0477348/

RocknRolla - In London, a real-estate scam puts millions of pounds up for grabs, attracting some of the city's scrappiest tough guys and its more established underworld types, all of whom are looking to get rich quick. While the city's seasoned criminals vie for the cash, an unexpected player -- a drugged out rock 'n' roller presumed to be dead but very much alive -- has a multi-million dollar prize fall into his hands.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1032755/

Hope you enjoy! Cheers,

Adrienne :)

Fidel Castro

As I have said before, the ever more sophisticated weapons piling up in the arsenals of the wealthiest and the mightiest can kill the illiterate, the ill, the poor and the hungry, but they cannot kill ignorance, illness, poverty or hunger.
By Jared

Muhammad Ali Quote

Hating people because of their color is wrong. And it doesn't matter which color does the hating. It's just plain wrong.
By Jared

Friedrich Nietzsche

Found this on wikipedia its really cool from someone who was considered great.

Even by virtue of my descent, I am granted an eye beyond all merely local, merely nationally conditioned perspectives; it is not difficult for me to be a "good European." On the other hand, I am perhaps more German than present-day Germans, mere citizens of the German Reich, could possibly be—I, the last anti-political German. And yet my ancestors were Polish noblemen: I have many racial instincts in my body from that source—who knows? [...] When I consider how often I am addressed as a Pole when I travel, even by Poles themselves, and how rarely I am taken for a German, it might seem that I have been merely externally sprinkled with what is German.
By Jared

Something Interesting

Evelyn Acoth Watta
The most powerful speech was made by Evelyn A. Watta, the young Kenyan delegate and one of only four women sports journalists in Kenya. She spoke of the courage and determination it took for her to break through as a sports journalist. Her editor and even her father at one stage advised her against it and she had to over come fierce opposition from her male colleagues, the male-dominated sports press in Kenya and from sports athletes and officials. She told of her most horrendous moment when she was accused of losing the home soccer team a vital match because she had to sit on the touchline and was seen as a distraction to the players!
By Jared

Nice quotes

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead quote
“Ambition is like love, impatient both of delays and rivals.” Buddha quote
“I have no particular talent. I am merely inquisitive.” Albert Einstein quote
By Jared

The Best Verse

Matthew 22:34-40 TNIV

The Greatest Commandment
34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
37 Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' [a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' [b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
By Jared

The past

Growing up I had many things that I loved and those things were movies especially Kung Fu movies because they were fun and showed us a Asian culture. American movies still dominated but Asian movies had that something that gave us inspiration and discipline. I had that 36 chambers of the shalion as the best Kung Fu movie. I think that Fist of Fury was the best because Bruce lee was in it. He is one of the most influential actors who paved the way adn what Kung Fu movies mean to us. He pushed the boundaries. But looking at it there are many factors of control in these movies and they show us that you have to make sure that you free yourself and your mind to do the right thing.

Violence is not always the answer but making a choice to do something is. The best movie I have ever watched is Laagan which was a Movie based in India which was all about cricket, I think it has components of all three Control, Influence and Seduction. I know that Hollyhood is the biggest in terms of amount of quality movies but Bollyhood in India and Nollyhood in Nigeria are gaining audiences around the world lets see what happens by 2050.
By Jared :) Power (CIS)

February 17 2009

Great class, I think we are now getting to what we are going to find out by next week in week . Wrtiting the consideration sheet was a great exprience in a sense that while I was writing the words I could see how power was used in my life. CIS is what makes us who we are. You got to love this class because it makes you think in more ways than one. I think that blogging is created to influence people so many of us should do it because its for free. Can't wait for 23 Feb 2009 its going to be a wonderful day.
By Jared

Friendship

Law 2

Never put too Much Trust in Friends, Learn how to use Enemies

Be wary of friends-they will betray you more quickly, for they are easily aroused to envy. They also become spoiled and tyrannical. But hire a former enemy and he will be more loyal than a friend, because he has more to prove. In fact, you have more to fear from friends than from enemies. If you have no enemies, find a way to make them.

I was reading the 48 laws of power and I think that this law is a very insightful one were it shows us what friendship means. By this I am talking about what happens when we have had friends in our lives. I'm sure there are many of us who have had friends and got betrayed by others to do the wrong thing then we ended up falling and doing the wrong thing. When they back stabbed up and used us.

But isn't strange that when we thought that the people who were our enemies ended up being our true friends isn't that the strangest thing you could ever experience. There is an example of the story of Michael the 3rd when assumed the throne of Byzantine Empire. He appointed someone who was his friend Basilius to be his head of the stables. To cut the story short Basilius kills Michael the 3rd and he had given the best life to Basilius. Shocking when you think about it.

By Jared

History Of Power

I feel that maybe power has not always been a good thing. One of the reasons why many people fight is that they have it in their minds what are they losing. I am taking International law and doing a group project on genocide. I think the reason why many people have fought is that they feel that they do not want to lose something valuable. The question of whats at stack and why do they want it. We hate been controlled more than anything but I think we love controlling people around us whether its direct or indirect.

Its part of life. Looking at genocide we have hated each other so much that we have killed each other over land and disputes. we need to think about what the future will bring to us. How may wars are we going to fight before we see that war is not the root to solving the problem. we need to make sure that one day we will compromise and make the right decisions(choice). But will that ever happen?

By Jared

Choice

Since Choice is such a big word there is one book I saw on the net and its called "The Paradox of Choice" By Barry Schwartz. I think that would be one book I would love to read when we get to what Power is and what choices can we make.
By Jared

My thoughts

I have been "thinking" about a lot lately. I have seen talked and made effort to try to make people see that even when they "think" they have nothing they have everything. I "think" personally that this year that its going to be a good year. Its 2009 and you are now saying to yourself that you do not want to carry on reading what I have to say.You are like there have been record number of job cuts. But "think" about what this year will bring in your lives and what it has brought many people before you. It will make you appreciative of what you have. Even if you "think" to yourself you have more than you dream off. There are billions f people who want to experience what you have and be in the western world.

Many of them believe that they can come here and still live the best possible life. What we "think" is that our lives suck but I don't "think" so we all have the best life here. 1st world is very different from third world. People dream and save their entire life wanting to just be in 1st world countries. First world countries have something which many people have to go through and that's hardship. We feel that we all have to go through hardship and yes we all do. But look at the mirror and from there look around what you have in your place. You have food, clothing shelter. How many people want that.

Some parents save up so that their kids come to countries like Canada. If you compare and see what others have and what you have you live like kings. "Think" about it and please do because its important you see that you have the best possible life imaginable. if you "think" that you live in hell now "think" what people who survive on a dollar a day live in. "Appreciation" is what I want you to feel and during Christmas this year remember that word it will make you "think".
By Jared

What do we desire?

Seduction Good or bad?

Looking at all the presentations I feel that I enjoyed them. I think that looking at it there are many things we desire. Looking at it I feel desire looks at what we want in life rather than what we need (Personal opinion) But does Power only happen when we need or want something?

Freedom

We all want freedom but when we compare with others I feel that we are all free to express ourselves. There are many devices to express ourselves. Those devices include Youtube and Facebook for example. But maybe looking at Freedom is a cultural thing. I think the fact that you can walk and say what you want even about the government is Freedom. I feel that dressing and having different types of clothes is freedom. Freed of choice many people want to expreince what others have but when we look at it Freedom is all around us. Freedom is when you can go and vote. Freedom is what we have and thats what counts. Looking at Life we are all going to dwell on what we have and what we have been given and that was making choices and seeing we have chances of getting what ever we want. "Think about It"
By Jared

Looking at life

I think what we have done in our lives is interesting for all of us. Looking at it we all have to see that we have used power to some extent to someone or some people. But if we all want it is good then. Because many people want but we can not all get it. Its so confusing now because I'm thinking to myself that maybe power is not a good thing if people kill each other for it. But thinking about it influence is a wonderful thing when used well, think of it we are influenced in many decisions we have made in life. We have relationships with our parents and loved ones. We have been influenced a lot but sometimes we feel that they were controlling us. Aren't we proud to always make the right choices, don't we feel good when we do good. Makes you think. Then there is seduction Robert Greene makes a point the reason why women used seduction well is that women did not have much and this is the only way they could express themselves. People do not realized that women in every culture have suffered that men so to say seduction is a bad thing is a complicated thing all together.
By Jared

Onhavingpower.com

Looking at Les website onhavingpower.com.When I looked at the seven questions it made me think a lot. The first one was where do I start? when did Power start, and did humans start it or was it before humans were there. This first question looks at Absolute truth. Control is an illusion. It has another interesting and that it says The only thing we control is how we respond to the circumstance. So does Choice always have to be factor for someone to control you. Does that mean it can only be response driven? Yes because when we are being controlled we are reacting towards that which is controlling us. This section was looking at Feeling. The second question is what is the source of power? The source of power is in the need within the subject. I think that when you have power others like you will want it. If there is not need then power can not exist. The needs of ones self are experienced as requirements , desires and attachments. Needs are complex , compounding and competing. The third one What is the power dynamic? Power is about the control, influence or seduction of that choice. The actor has a need the subject can impact. I think this part looks at relationships. The actor sees the subject as a part of the circumstance they must respond to. To create Power the actor identifies the needs of the subject. The actor applies a mechanism of Power to help or hinder the satisfaction of the subjects need. The subject experiences feelings of Power- Control, Influence or seduction. The subject experiences feelings of motivation. FEAR ANGER OR EXCITEMENT and we have seen these three for the past two weeks to which we had a situation which occurred before class for us to use as reference. You can see what power is like and maybe it will open up your eyes and see that we have all been powerful in our lives but people have also had power over us. Just like the needs that create it, Power Dynamics are complex , compounding and competing. The subject responds with a choice. The fourth one What is my need? Identify your operating needs. All of them. Look to your feeling. Control, influence and seduction Fear, Anger and excitement. look to the mechanisms they are using. Is it directed at you or someone else? Does it help or hinder? Is it actual or potential? The fifth one Why are they using Power? This is because they have a need. All Power Dynamics are Bipolar. They are driven by two sets of needs. So, what is their need? State their need. State the whole Dynamic. State it out loud. The sixth What are my choices?. I can comply resist or withdraw. I have overcome. I have choices I can make a choice. I now have power. The last one Where do we go from here? Two questions which are hard to answer, my point of view is Can we both get what we want? Can we work together in open honesty? All in all I think that Les has a good case and can Power be good or bad. I love influence because it is the most incredible out of all of them. Many people Have died for it Lincoln, Kennedy, Ghandi and Lennon all because of influence. So then if I was to ask is Power a good thing????
By Jared

Seduction

I was on Robert Greene website and he shows how seduction started and how people have used it. I thought it would pave the way for Tuesday's class here is the link. Some of the most renowned people have used seduction as a art form. Many of us around have been seduced without us knowing that we have been seduced. So does that mean Seduction is there to please your desires and everything you could ever think of or dream of having. Its going to be interesting in the future when we start applying what we have done in this class. When we start aiming to be powerful do we still want it. Can Power be controlled in such a way that we can all handle it. When we use things or tools to create power can we ever just be powerful without them. I think that looking at it Power takes us to a journey to which some of want and most do not. But some journeys are very stressful. I think that looking at it power has three elements to which you can be part of and that's control, influence and seduction.
http://www.seducersworld.com/history.html
By Jared

Influence

I was on this website and I think they use interesting concepts for how to be influential.
http://centrerion.blogspot.com/2006/01/5-ways-for-you-to-be-influential.html
By Jared

Seduction

Next week is going to be interesting and seduction is probably going to be a lot of fun. But today I was thinking is it possible to use all three and people know that you used all three towards them. Using Influence, Control and seduction. I think this would be an interesting debate. What happens to people when they use for good and what happens to people who use it for bad. Being good does not mean that everyone will like what you are doing especially if its mostly aiming for change. But only time will tell what power is and are we going to still want it or not.
By Jared

Influence is the most powerful

Looking at today I was trying to see of the three is the most powerful and which leaves an effect on you. I was think of all the people around us and how they influence in any way and how it feels like. By just walking around the school you can see how people get influenced. Just take five minutes of your day look at your clothes and your taste in music you might remember how someone influenced you. Makes you think doesn't it?
By Jared

Feb 3rd

This was a great class carrying on the topic of influence and how it plays in our hearts and how it has an impact on our lives. It was interesting how the class started with the music magazines, newspapers and with the class consideration sheet. Influence I guess is the most powerful and I saw why it is. We believe what people say to us. We can choose to resist control and say no to seduction but influence its another thing all together. I love this class and as the weeks go by I think Les just hits out of the park and everyone has interesting input. Next week is seduction and this will a great class because we have all been seduced to doing something we either wanted or did not want.

We have gone through 4 weeks and its been a great 4 weeks now we are left with 11 more of power I can't wait. But we are still going to be influenced for the rest of our lives, controlled and seduced as long as we have a grasp of power then I feel that we will make decisions that will take us to the next level. I think that people should express themselves that's how we can see how others feel and how power has played in their lives. Looking at it I think that this class has changed my life especially the movies when you put in Power into it. Thanks Les
By Jared

Believing

I think what separates many of us is that we have some people who believe in themselves and some who don't. Many people have big dreams and some small but in order for all of us to achieve it we have to first believe that we can.
By Jared

Feb 2 Class

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes..........................................................This is by far the best class I have had when talking about power. Its influence which is the role I like to play of which many people have played in my whole life. I think its bad and good at the same time. But you can not help what it can give you and what it can take from you. After watching Pump the Volume I feel that do we know who we are. I think I know who I am but many people have different views of who I am. I think I love this role influence influence influence This is my life goal towards people around the world I think I prefer doing this than taking control and seducing people. When we chose our Cd's, tool and book we all have been influenced by these ideas. I think that no matter what someone tells you, you need to think and pause and say to yourself is what I am hearing adding value in my life. If so then listen but if not still listen we can still influence even the people who we think hate us. We will always be hated by people loved by people but influence is the key to adopting and changing habits. I just loved the class. Who says that people are weird based on what? I think that we like to point fingers but when someone Else points them back we feel that they should not. I love Power and will always love it and I will be the way I am right now and I have been the way I am ever since and I will be the same when I leave this earth. All I am saying is that just think about what makes you happy and who influenced you. Make it your life goal to have a positive effect on people because its up to all of us to motivate people through thick and thin
By Jared