Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

People Without Meaningful Lives Seek Power Over Others
Mindset Shifts ^ | 24 Aug 2024 | Barry Brownstein

Posted on 08/25/2024 5:24:07 AM PDT by Rummyfan

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-39 next last
During the reign of Louis XIV, French mathematician and philosopher Blaise Pascal diagnosed why some lust for power. In his Pensées, Pascal wrote, “I have often said that the sole cause of man’s unhappiness is that he does not know how to stay quietly in his room.” Pascal explained that, out of the inability to sit alone, arises the human tendency to seek power as a diversion.

A thought piece for Sunday morning.

1 posted on 08/25/2024 5:24:07 AM PDT by Rummyfan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Rummyfan

Oh the tranquility of solitude.


2 posted on 08/25/2024 5:31:56 AM PDT by Track9 (If you want to know about human nature, read a power tool user manual. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Track9

You mean childless cat ladies?


3 posted on 08/25/2024 5:34:56 AM PDT by DIRTYSECRET
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Rummyfan

I can see this. When you see yourself as incapable, you want society to do it for you.


4 posted on 08/25/2024 5:35:13 AM PDT by Jonty30 (Genghis Khan did not have the most descendants. His father had more. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Track9
Oh the tranquility of solitude.

If only other people would leave me the hell alone!

5 posted on 08/25/2024 5:35:27 AM PDT by Sirius Lee (Trump/Vance 2024 or GFY)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Rummyfan

Describe’s today’s Left. (And some on the Right as well)


6 posted on 08/25/2024 5:41:21 AM PDT by Tench_Coxe (The woke were surprised by the reaction to the Bud Light fiasco. May there be many more surprises)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Rummyfan
Excellent essay. It puts into well written words thoughts I have been grappling with.

The idea of a lust for power as a means of diversion is a powerful one.

Similarly, hedonism as a means of not considering your life, as a diversion from thinking...

Good article.

Christians say Christ sets us free from being a slave to sin. Very similar notion.

7 posted on 08/25/2024 5:41:51 AM PDT by marktwain (The Republic is at risk. Resistance to the Democratic Party is Resistance to Tyranny. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Rummyfan

“And he can’t even run his own life
I’ll be damned if he’ll run mine, sunshine”


8 posted on 08/25/2024 5:42:43 AM PDT by kosciusko51
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DIRTYSECRET

I never knew that type to have peace of mind. More manic weirdness. Talking to themselves etc.


9 posted on 08/25/2024 5:43:26 AM PDT by Track9 (If you want to know about human nature, read a power tool user manual. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: DIRTYSECRET

Quit pickin’ on me. 😉 😻


10 posted on 08/25/2024 5:44:31 AM PDT by MayflowerMadam (I'm voting for the convicted felon with the pierced ear. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: DIRTYSECRET

Interesting article. Author leaves it to us to apply it to today’s circumstances. What did they call the clowns that entertained kings. Jokers?


11 posted on 08/25/2024 5:46:13 AM PDT by DIRTYSECRET
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Sirius Lee

“..If only other people would leave me the hell alone!...”

^THIS!!!^


12 posted on 08/25/2024 5:46:13 AM PDT by lgjhn23 ("On the 8th day, Satan created the progressive liberal to destroy all the good that God created..." )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: MayflowerMadam

Love your tag line. Great!


13 posted on 08/25/2024 5:47:16 AM PDT by Track9 (If you want to know about human nature, read a power tool user manual. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: lgjhn23

Not pickin’. I’m a dog man. Labrador-closest to humans in temperament.


14 posted on 08/25/2024 5:47:29 AM PDT by DIRTYSECRET
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: kosciusko51

I think it is a great tragedy that the 1960s youth movement turned into a Marxist, hedonistic, pro-government, anti-Christian, tribalist nightmare.

Up until about 1968, a lot of the beatnik/hippie/yippie culture was focused on anti-government, self-improvement, personal tranquility and simple social solutions to local problems. But that movement got blown out of the water and many activist Baby Boomers decided to push for Maoist solutions to everything. It became all about running other peoples’ lives, largely as a result of angry individuals who couldn’t run their own.


15 posted on 08/25/2024 5:49:47 AM PDT by ClearCase_guy (I think women should get out of women's sports before they get hurt.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Rummyfan
"A person able to exercise coercive power can use their morally undeveloped “wretched” mind to create endless misery for others merely because exercising power distracts them from their failures as human beings. "

This sums it up nicely.

16 posted on 08/25/2024 5:52:51 AM PDT by Indy Pendance (Jesus can't here soon enough!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ClearCase_guy

There’s more. In big companies the bosses would dare us to quit every morning we showed up for work. They did it through the newest policy or directive. Some would take them up on it and the cost of new-hires was managable. Those sticking with it were the stronger, more patient ones. First level supervisors were the real cowards as they had more pressure to buy into and knew where their bread was buttered. Throw in everyone having bills to pay, especially a mortgage. It doesn’t help that the more driven ones end up with the more attractive spouses and that consumers want too much of what they don’t need.

Take away the hostility and people get lazy. Another human condition.


17 posted on 08/25/2024 5:57:15 AM PDT by DIRTYSECRET
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: ClearCase_guy

That’s about the time the “red diaper doper babies” took over the movement.


18 posted on 08/25/2024 5:58:00 AM PDT by kosciusko51
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Rummyfan

Cat ladies, HR departments, bureaucRats


19 posted on 08/25/2024 5:58:45 AM PDT by FatherofFive (we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Rummyfan

I have come to the conclusion that people who are obsessed with controlling others do so because they have no self-control.

Since they can’t control themselves and live they life they want, they try to force others to live in such a way as to provide the life they want.


20 posted on 08/25/2024 6:02:57 AM PDT by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus”)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-39 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson