‘We will coup whoever we want!’: the unbearable hubris of Musk and the billionaire tech bros
‘We will coup whoever we want!’: the unbearable hubris of Musk and the billionaire tech bros
Challenging each other to cage fights, building apocalypse bunkers – the behaviour of today’s mega-moguls is becoming increasingly outlandish and imperial
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Keltner’s The Power Paradox covers this phenomenon. As we rise in power and influence, it is very easy to lose those same qualities that allowed us to gain power in the first place.
What qualities?
My summary of his book is that people rise to power by contributing to the greater good. They empathise with those around them and are likeable. Power is thus given to them by others.
The paradox is that it’s been suggested by several studies that those that gain power (or those that feel powerful) tend to be less empathetic and focus more on themselves.
He does not prescribe to the Lord of the Flies world view.
My summary of his book is that people rise to power by contributing to the greater good
Like owning an Emerald mine? And be surrounded by influential people who help you, because you're filthy rich?
The paradox is that it’s been suggested by several studies that those that gain power (or those that feel powerful) tend to be less empathetic and focus more on themselves.
That's not a paradox, it's easier to get rich risking other peoples money if you don't give a shit about them in the first place.
This is completely missing the point. Because they don't lose the qualities that got them rich in the first place.
What they lose is their humanity and any shred of empathy, and even contact with reality, if they had it to begin with, which many didn't.