This law, I believe is perhaps one of the most versatile and happily satisfying laws, mentioned in the book. Why? It is a law for destined victors, entailing the various levels of manipulation and exertion of control over others. Though very simple sounding, and may seem like a law for lazy bums, the implications of making others come to you, benefit you in more ways than you may believe.
Its all about control and manipulation.
Why spend so much energy in looking for the opportune moment of victory, when you can have others reveal it to you themselves?
As was the ever dangerous and powerful Napoleon. Baited, taunted at the Isle of Elba, Napoleon, in his exile, practically ran himself to defeat at Waterloo. Forcing an already bankrupt France into a costly campaign at his return, Napoleon destroyed his chances of ever rising into power again.
And of course, to be able to fell such a great man, Talleyrand, orchestrated an elaborate trap, setting the bait, playing on Napoleon's pride, creating the illusion of an easy vengeance, while having full control of the environment, that finally brought the great beast to its knees.
But it does not limit itself to combat or war. A person who commands the attention and the presence of others, commands reverence and respect. It is same in the sense that an orator who gets flocked by numerous people, is easier to take seriously, than one who goes around looking for his audience.
You really just have to know what kind of bait you're going to prepare.
Know your target, find that bait you just know they can't resist. Be it a promise of conquest, revenge, welfare, riches, safety or love.
And watch as they slowly come to you and walk right into the palm of your hands. Its as if they pick up and attach the strings themselves. Make them believe that they are in control, make them think that they have the opportunity to strike.
All you have to do is wait and keep yourself safe within your home and watch as everyone becomes your eager quarry.
Mark Bantayan
II BS MIS
Hi18 N
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
23 comments:
Following on the "theme" of the piece of supposed "manipulation", this particular law tells us to spread your influences on others, and let your people do what you want them to do. If you don't like the hassles of attacking and conquering, just wait in your throne and watch them come to you like Amazon girls in an Axe commercial.
As a communication major, this law reminds me of the theories we discuss in persuasion in advertising.
There are always two types of products, one is the one people really need, and the other one, is what people do not really need. Products that people need oftentimes are not unique in the market because a lot of companies have already produced it. And products that people do not need? What are those? Those are the ones unique, those are the innovations.
But how can you sell it if people do not need it? Then, make them need it. Use baits -- money, sex, appearance, beauty. These things oftentimes are the ones consumers wanted to get. Incorporate it in your product, and before you know it, people have already come to you.
What are the other instances you think that makes use of this law in this modern age?
Joan Medalla
Hi18 N
I agree with what Joan said.
That's why money and beauty are such powerful tools. "What matters is what's on the inside?" Sure. Okay. But, if you know how to utilize your assets, you stand to gain quite a lot.
As what camille has said, I also believe that assets play an important part in gaining power. Imelda Marcos, for instance,had beauty that's why she was able to marry Ferdinand Marcos, but nevertheless, luck is also a vital part of success.
Joan Medalla
Hi18 N
This reminds me of (1) appealing to other people's self-interest and (2) controlling the options of others and (3) exploiting enemies. All of these require "using bait" to lure others into doing things your way. Bait can be in the form of wealth and security, just as was used by Emperor Sung to trick his enemy generals into submission. Bait in this form can also appeal to others' self-interest, as it is human nature to want more or anything. We are all materialistic and what we want is instant gratification, or the "Bait," as described. It is all a matter of making an offer the other party cannot refuse. Make it seem worth their while. If it is enticing enough, the people might even end up fighting over who gets to do the favor.
Marian Janelle Aliwalas
HI 18 N
i agree with camille and joan. it's all a matter of utilizing your assets. and camille's right, the inside doesn't really matter in this case. use what you know will attract everyone or at least a majority, such as beauty, sex, and money. i guess this is how and why media sets up stereotypes. law 8 is somehow related to law 32, playing with people's fantasies. lure people with the things they want or desire and you can get them to do what you want them to do.
True. This law works on the premise that no one is invulnerable. And everyone has its own weakness. Even the greatest one will succumb to something, and using that bait would be perfect in gaining power. The question is, how will you know the right bait to use?
Joan Medalla
Hi18 N
well this idea is interesting on the premise that the person accepts the bait, of which doesn't occur 100% of the time. You may use this technique though, but there is a certain limit to it. Once a person refuses this bait then it is time to stop using such technique as continuing to do so can lead to bigger problems like war.
This is another one of those laws wherein you have to really know your enemy well first before baiting him. You have to know what he's capable of, and how he reacts, so that tricking him would be successful. It all lies on how well you know the enemy and how well you planned it out.
Trixie Cruz
Hi18 O
The advantage of using this tactic is efficiency and effectiveness. As Mark stated, one need not use a lot of energy to succeed in this law. It requires the least amount of effort for the same or even better output. All that one must do is know their targets. For instance one's pride, you can use that against them. Anger them and wait in the comforts of your home. Give effort to what's due to people. If they are foolish individuals then this law will work perfectly fine.
Dexter Tanengsy, Hi18-N
Janine Cindy Santiago:"If you don't like the hassles of attacking and conquering, just wait in your throne and watch them come to you like Amazon girls in an Axe commercial."
I would just want to say that Cindy has a good example for this law. Every Axe commercial has girls flocking over men wearing Axe and the men look as if they're innocent.
I also think that the laws 27 and 32 are quite similar with this law. They all play with people's beliefs and use false promises to make them follow you.
Alex Salaveria
HI18-N
It's like trying to swat a seriously annoying fly that has been whizzing past you for quite some time but you keep on missing it because it simply is too small and too quick for you to catch. But, if you try to sit still and wait, more likely than not, it will stop whizzing past you and will settle down on some surface. Add a bait if you want, food or whatever, and it'll come to you. The perfect moment to strike then presents itself to you.
I guess to cut it all short, you simply need to KNOW what you're dealing with---what is it, how does it think, how does it act, how does it responds to certain situations, etc.
It's not actually about how dumb or foolish the other party is. It's more about whether or not you can outsmart the other, if you know his weakness and can use it against him. I don't think just because someone bit the bait (or whatever the supposed term for this is) he can be considered foolish. Everyone simply has their own weaknesses. You just need to be skilled and good enough to find it. Be smarter.
Jennifer Stacy Tan
Hi18 N
@duey
If the person does not accept the bait, then you do not lose anything
the point here is to have them exhaust their own resources and energy in coming to you. which is basically, you being a lazy bum, dangling whatever bait you have created in front of your target.
Its about out thinking others anyway. not all laws are fail safe, but this law is special because it is particularly a defensive one, with offensive intentions. which kicks ass. Once you see that aggressive action won't help then it's time to apply this law.
and it doesn't have to be subtle mind all of you. you can subliminally lure them, or.. pardon my made up neologism, superliminally lure them.
need some extra allowance? You ask him but he won't budge? Well just make him THINK you deserve the money.
hahahah although i doubt my example was an effective one.the point is this law has NO downside, when it's applicable.
NO DOWNSIDE.
If it works then you win. if it doesn't. you don't lose.
on the otherhand if you do it stupidly, like say, luring something you can't really handle,
or into an environment that you have not established a control upon
then that's just you being stupid. right?
with this law, even if the bait is not taken you still get to live to attack, or bait, another day. :D
i dont agree whn you said that this law is for lazy bums. In order for the bait to work as the others said, you should know very well your bait and of course your target. knowing the right time and strategy for your attack is the key to success
marion adalia
bs mgt
N
@marion
yes that's all true.
I guess what i meant by being a lazy bum means, you get to sit comfortably in your own controlled zone. with all your controlled factors. possibly it is also a key component of the "make people play with the cards you deal law(31)". which is also the key strength that you gain from observing this law.
you strengthen yourself and weaken others.
it's defensively offensive! yey :D
Mark Bantayan
Hi18 N
I have great respect for this law because it can easily be underestimated to be someone who is a "lazy bum", but in reality, this law will never fly with a lazy bum.
The strength in this law comes from the cleverness and wittiness of person. It think it is the greatest victory to not exert physical energy.
I think this law is applicable to internet shopping phenomenon. Internet shopping has gained popular just over the past couple years. We have moved from an age of sales men knocking at your doorstep trying to sell you the newest greatest product. Now we have the internet where producers have access to millions of people at one time. The only problem is, how do you get people to come see your products.
A lot of innovation has been made to tackle this problem. Some that have worked are, email spams, pop ups etc. We can see that the strategy of getting people to come to you and using bait is better than knocking on every single door of the neighborhood.
Niko Falcon
Hi18-N
Aside from what the others have already mentioned, I believe working on the hearts and minds of others plays a key role here. In marketing, for example, it is a prime requirement that one does a market study first before deciding on other factors that are essential to the 'bait'. It pays (and it really does, in money terms) to know who your recipients are, what they hold dear, and what they fear.
Indeed, this law will never fly with a lazy bum since it needs patience, timing, determinatin, and skill to pull the right strings and become what some may call 'the puppeteer'. Hostage-taking can be a very good example too, where the hostage-takers should know what the right threats to issue are and how 'liquid' the other side is (I remember Ms. Jalandoni saying that ransoms should be based on how much you think the other side can pay, since you are after all expecting them to pay, and not on how much you hate them).
It takes a lot of hard work to know who you're dealing with.
It's not too late!
"Its all about control and manipulation."
Yeah, I totally agree about that manipulation thing. Learn to use 'baits' to see people come to you.
Baits. Baits. Baits.
As Ms. Santiago said, it tells us to spread our influence.
Influence is one thing that people unconsciously follow. For example, by teaching people how to fish, you give them your influence, then they will come to you. People want the one who will give them the knowledge how to fish, not the fish itself.
It's also on Richard Bach's "Illusions". In this novel, Richard was very interested on the Messiah thing, then Shimoda used that particular interest of Bach to manipulate him(Shimoda) and let him(Bach) need his teachings.
-Miriam R. Reyes
Hi 18-O
I think your law is closely related to the law which states that you should make other people dependent on you. This bait may be a need that the people would want and would make them do your every will. It is a great way of getting power over other people.
Alan Mamonluk
Hi18-O
Judging from the title, it sounds rather desperate--"use bait if necessary" -- but upon closer inspection, the law does sound reasonable. By inviting other people to your home court, you have the upper hand.
This reminds me of the hills of Rome and how it gave other tribes a hard time to conquer because of its terrain. Having the advantage of fighting in a place that's familiar to you does help a lot.
Eric Andres
HI 18 Section N
This is somehow related with another law, the one about appearing weaker than you actually are. But in that law, your weak appearance is the bait.
And yeah, I agree with Mark; there is absolutely no downside to this law. You don't have anything to lose if you fail at it--it's risk free, thus making this law really effective.
______________________
Patrick Reyes o
I do not know if it's just me or if perhaps everyone else experiencing issues with your blog. It appears as though some of the text on your content are running off the screen. Can someone else please comment and let me know if this is happening to them as well? This could be a issue with my web browser because I've had this happen before.
Cheers
my webpage learn more
This posts make me run away from person like you. I prefer to stay away from people and prefer that people leave me alone. It is best to not care about people.
Post a Comment