MINUTES of a MONDAY #78

#minutesofamonday

Brain Food > Anarchy to Hierarchy

"So the idea is: To escape anarchy, you create a state and that means you go from anarchy to hierarchy. The problem, in international politics, is that there is no world-state, there is no hierarchy. And if you have no hierarchy and you're in an anarchic system, you have no choice but to try and maximise your relative power to make sure that you are - as we used to say when I was a kid on New York city playgrounds - the biggest and baddest dude on the block. Not because you necessarily want to beat up on other kids, or on other states, but because, again, that's the best way to survive."

John Mearsheimer speaking to Lex Friedman. You can read a deeper profile on him here.

Soul Food

“Those who seek to achieve things should show no mercy.”

Kautilya, 3rd Century B.C., Indian philosopher

LOL

Ricky Gervais’ awards advice to Kate Winslet.

Appendix

“Some would argue that in the long run it would be better to show some leniency. The problem is, your leniency involves another risk - it may embolden the enemy, which still harbours a grudge, but now has some room to operate. It is almost always wiser to crush your enemy.”

Robert Greene, on ‘Law 15 Crush Your Enemy’ from his book, The 48 Laws of Power

A.O.B.

Thanks for reading this week. I hope there’s something in there for you.

And, as always, mind how you go out there.

Niall