Power Corrupts
Hail and Well Met!
I was browsing today, as I often do... but this time, not on pages with the word "coed" somewhere in the title. I reviewed the posting of a friend - Mr. Gin and Tonic, whose blog can be found on the links to the right here --->
His thoughts on the state of the massess, and subsequently, the state of the union, give one pause. His central tenant was that the massess are sheep, and it is our challenge, perhaps our duty, to guide them, at a minimum, and perhaps exploit them for our own gain (if possible). He quotes another blogger pal, addressing Machiavelli, and how his thoughts on power and lifestyle are handy even in today's modern world.
I gave thought to Machiavelli, while standing before his tomb in the Church of Santa Croce in Florence, and wondered about his words. Mr. Gin and Tonic writes that one could live according to his precepts today. I agree, as much as one may take some of these great models of socio-political thought, and apply it to one's daily life (one should then also read up on Sun Tzu's Art of War, as well as some fine books on the social contract theory, and of course, The Prince).
The central Syndicate lesson here is - WAKE UP !!!! Don't be one of the sheep. It would be great to embrace the ideals of living boldly; but honestly, not all of us jump out of airplanes to get to work each day. However, one can live boldly - purposely. Without setting aside goals, plans, ideals for "tommorow."
Surely there is something you have on your to-do list that you simply haven't done because there is always tommorow - What are you saving space in your life today for? Why haven't you met that friend for drinks? Send an email to that person who you've meant to call? Gone online and ordered that Ronco combination juicer, deydrator, teflon coated shaver, fishing pole and vacumn sealer?
What are you waiting for?!
It doesn't matter if its learning a language, picking up a BOOK to READ, looking online to see if you can figure out where on a map this whole Iran place is and why people are so pissed off, or even just sitting down with a nice copy of the Mr. Boston's guide and practicing the fine art of perfecting the martini.
Dust off that to-do or wish list. Start living.
I was browsing today, as I often do... but this time, not on pages with the word "coed" somewhere in the title. I reviewed the posting of a friend - Mr. Gin and Tonic, whose blog can be found on the links to the right here --->
His thoughts on the state of the massess, and subsequently, the state of the union, give one pause. His central tenant was that the massess are sheep, and it is our challenge, perhaps our duty, to guide them, at a minimum, and perhaps exploit them for our own gain (if possible). He quotes another blogger pal, addressing Machiavelli, and how his thoughts on power and lifestyle are handy even in today's modern world.
I gave thought to Machiavelli, while standing before his tomb in the Church of Santa Croce in Florence, and wondered about his words. Mr. Gin and Tonic writes that one could live according to his precepts today. I agree, as much as one may take some of these great models of socio-political thought, and apply it to one's daily life (one should then also read up on Sun Tzu's Art of War, as well as some fine books on the social contract theory, and of course, The Prince).
The central Syndicate lesson here is - WAKE UP !!!! Don't be one of the sheep. It would be great to embrace the ideals of living boldly; but honestly, not all of us jump out of airplanes to get to work each day. However, one can live boldly - purposely. Without setting aside goals, plans, ideals for "tommorow."
Surely there is something you have on your to-do list that you simply haven't done because there is always tommorow - What are you saving space in your life today for? Why haven't you met that friend for drinks? Send an email to that person who you've meant to call? Gone online and ordered that Ronco combination juicer, deydrator, teflon coated shaver, fishing pole and vacumn sealer?
What are you waiting for?!
It doesn't matter if its learning a language, picking up a BOOK to READ, looking online to see if you can figure out where on a map this whole Iran place is and why people are so pissed off, or even just sitting down with a nice copy of the Mr. Boston's guide and practicing the fine art of perfecting the martini.
Dust off that to-do or wish list. Start living.
posted by Mitch at 10:47 AM
1 Comments:
I started to read this thing, but it's a bit long. I'll get to it tomorrow.
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