12 Raw Truths About Gaining Power & Respect - Robert Greene (4K)
16 Sep 2024 (2 days ago)
Robert’s First Appearance on Modern Wisdom
- The discussion is about a book with a special design where the edges of the pages, when fanned out, display images.
- The designer of the book, who researched and implemented the 18th-century technique used for the design, is Dutch.
- The designer found the speaker and provided him with support while he wrote his first book.
The Problem With Modern Philosophy
- Modern philosophy has lost its connection to everyday life and practical application.
- Many contemporary philosophical works are seen as overly abstract, lacking direct relevance to daily living and personal growth.
- Academia often promotes a culture of oppositional stances, where philosophers gain recognition by reacting against existing ideas rather than seeking multifaceted truths.
Knowledge & Skills Are Like Gold & Silver
- Knowledge and skills are valuable assets that can be transformed into something greater.
- Acquiring high-level skills requires time, dedication, and a rewiring of the brain, ultimately leading to opportunities and success.
- Humans possess an intuition and a sense of fate that guides them towards certain paths and helps them make decisions, even if they are not fully aware of it.
Why You Shouldn’t Be Cynical
- Cynicism can prevent individuals from experiencing the world with a sense of wonder and amazement, which are qualities that many people value.
- Cynicism can lead to a reduced ability to appreciate the complexities and beauty of life, as it often simplifies everything to a negative perspective.
- While some sarcasm might be tolerated, people generally prefer to be around those who exude enthusiasm and positivity rather than negativity and cynicism.
Stupid People Are More Dangerous Than Evil People
- More harm is caused by incompetent people than by evil people.
- People become stupid when they are certain they have all the answers.
- Negative capability, the ability to hold two contradictory thoughts in mind simultaneously, is the essence of creativity and real thinking.
The Power of Your Reputation
- Reputation, whether real or perceived, can influence others and create an aura of power, even before any actual interaction or competition takes place.
- Maintaining a consistent and strong reputation is crucial, as inconsistencies can make one appear weak, untrustworthy, and lacking a core identity.
- It is essential to safeguard one's reputation and not allow others to define it, as negative perceptions can spread rapidly and are difficult to reverse, especially in the age of social media.
Your Weirdness is Your Strength
- People are afraid to be different, but all powerful people are unique and stand out.
- People should embrace their uniqueness and weirdness because it allows them to contribute something new to culture.
- People should find and appreciate role models who embody the traits they are afraid to express.
How to Stop Wasting Your Time
- Humans evolved to be creative and strategic under pressure, and without pressure, they can become bored and unfocused.
- Creating pressure, such as setting deadlines, can be beneficial for productivity and focus.
- Setting challenging but achievable goals is important for maintaining motivation and avoiding boredom or becoming overwhelmed.
The Curse of Immediate Success
- Early success, especially without prior hardship, can lead to overconfidence and a lack of preparedness for future challenges.
- Experiencing failure provides valuable lessons about an industry, personal weaknesses, and the importance of strategy and perseverance.
- Surrounding oneself with individuals who provide honest feedback, even if critical, is crucial for long-term success.
Why You Should Relish Being Attacked
- Being attacked provides an opportunity for growth and self-improvement.
- Pressure and doubt from others can fuel personal and professional development.
- Overcoming challenges and proving doubters wrong can lead to increased self-confidence.
Use Absence to Increase Respect
- To gain more admiration and have people talk about you more, you should temporarily withdraw from a group you are already established in.
- If you make yourself scarce, people will start to wonder about you and your presence will have more of an impact.
- To create a viral effect, you need to create absence and then return after a period of time.
Most Important Lesson From Machiavelli
- People often achieve elevated positions due to specific qualities that make them stand out, but as times change, these qualities may become less relevant, leading to stagnation if they cannot adapt.
- Machiavelli, contrary to popular belief, emphasized the importance of fluidity and adaptability, likening it to water and the ability to flow and change with the currents.
- Machiavelli was a multi-faceted individual, skilled in politics, diplomacy, seduction, playwriting, and poetry, demonstrating his embodiment of the Renaissance ideal.
Advice for Young Men Who Feel Lost
- Many young men today feel lost and uncertain about their place in the world.
- There is a cultural problem where traditional masculine traits like competitiveness and ambition are viewed negatively, leading to confusion and a lack of positive role models for young men.
- It is important for young men to embrace their masculinity, but to do so in a healthy and controlled way, channeling their energy into positive pursuits and developing self-control and discipline.
Robert’s Forthcoming Book
- A new book is expected to be released in 2026.
- The book is intended to challenge readers' perspectives and perceptions of the world.
- The combination of pain and pleasure, awe and terror, creates a "vibratory effect" described as the sublime.
Where to Find Robert
- A 25th-anniversary edition of the book 48 Laws of Power is available for purchase.
- New content is frequently being added to a YouTube channel, which is approaching 2 million subscribers.
- A conversation with Ryan Holiday, described as a stoic philosopher and former student of Robert Greene, is recommended.