Power. What is it? Who has it? Do they use it well?
What does ‘using power well’ mean?
I finally watched Clint Eastwood’s J. Edgar Hoover this evening. Along with finding Leonardo di Caprio is actor enough to age and look very saggy, I sat and wondered about the sort of power a man will seek. Personal power over others. That seems to be how to do it. But at what cost to one’s own integrity?
Letting my tiny mind go wandering around in the rather dim recesses of my memory (always a sport fraught with danger and mishap) I was digging through slivers of remembered books, newspaper and magazine articles about various people (usually men) and how they came to, used and abused power.
I began to despair; have there ever been men of power who didn’t abuse it – usually for themselves? Or is the very nature of power such that it must constantly be gathered and used to remain in existence?
Democracy, government by the people, for the people? Is that possible when it’s really all about who has the POWER?
More despair. Not a good evening in the recesses of the tiny mind!
So the next question is, do all people seek for the same type of power in the same way. I do hope not.
I know for many women, their definition of power, is the power over themselves, to be who they want to be without having to compromise constantly with the demands of others.
And are there men who seek no power? If so what do they seek, knowledge, happiness, excitement?
I think it may be time for some warm milk and bed.
Viewfromtheside's Blog 
I think that power-seekers are in it mostly for the control they have over others and also for the money.
Maybe I think this way because we see so much of it in SA.
Good night 🙂
But what does that power over others do for them inside themselves, happiness, or something else?
Perhaps to make up for other short-comings?
That may well be it. Seeking externally what they don’t have inside?
Something like that, yes 😀
Er quite a post you have there. I think it’s fair to say that yes, there are some guys out there who don’t want power – thanks the hats for variety!
definitely, imagine a world in which everyone was power hungry. no co-operation, no music, no art,,,,
Just, er, gravy trains and luxury 4x4s (nearly said fat cats but that would mean insulting the cat) – btw I was sure I cancelled this reply. Sometimes it safer to sit down – before I hurt myself?
Yes sit down and be safe.
Naah, go for a run
So that you can try canned-hunting me again?
yup! and with a cati
but NO ball bearings?
hmmmm, I have to decide, maybe deer droppings?
Would help if I need camouflage
hehehe, deer splots brown?
and splotches of green from all the spinach – maybe some orange from carrot juice?
getting colourful for a twinkly
But of course! Also, you get different shades of glitter 🙂 Do you think it advisable to roll in glue before being dusted in glitter?
if you become a vampire I believe you get your own makeup artiste, otherwise i guess glue and glitter it will have to be 😉
I enjoyed that movie. As for power, whoever said “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely” knew what he was talking about.
power does seem to be self-increasing. abuse to gain more power, more control. not good
Now I want to see that movie. 😉 It sounds fascinating. I’m sure that the majority of guys aren’t power hungry. It’s just that the ones who are, make it into the limelight.
It is interesting. so many years, so much good done and so much damage done especially in terms of the political pressure. he definitely believed he was doing what was needed to ‘save america’ but there are always many viewpoints about peoples rights
I tried to think of somebody who hasn’t abused their position, and I can’t think of anybody. Actually I came up with Winston Churchill, what do you think?
Hmmm, do we know all he did? he forced through decisions he wanted. Part of keeping and using power
that’s the thing, I like to believe he was upfront and honest, but a sneaky part of me says maybe he wasn’t
how do you know when a politician is lying. watch closely – are their lips moving?
LOL!
I wonder if power-seeking men are a type: my boss is just such a person. It makes him seem very small, conversely.
i suspect it could be to fill some personal void?
I really and honestly think that the world would have been a better place with women-rulers. Go figure 🙂
me too