This law actually encourages people to act like vultures. An animal that survives the jungle’s dire setting through devouring the animals that another predator or that nature had killed, thus obtaining nourishment from the fruits of another animals’ labor. All he needs to do is to acquire patience to circle above the jungle and wait for his prey.
Moreover, in order to be on top of others, you must learn not to complain about the injustice happening in our society. Doing such will not only render you helpless, but also leave you impoverished. Rather, learn how to thrive off of others’ skills and creativity. It is better to protect yourself and join the game. You only need to establish a power base and become a vulture yourself. Find people with the skills and creativity you lack to work under you and make them believe that their receiving enough while you simply take the credit from their work.
In the Philippine setting, this law is most apparent in our ways of doing business. Take for example the rise of “networking” here in our country. In this kind of business, there are two ways of earning money. First, you earn money by selling the products offered by your company. Second, you earn money through recruiting people who will work under you by recruiting other people while offering them a certain amount of incentive, much similar to the commission you get. In this business, you will earn more by recruiting people: the more you recruit, the more you earn. In addition, you obtain money from these people’s hard work. If you motivate them well enough and convince them that recruiting other people will also do them good, you will gain more. Once you establish a good foundation, you can just bum around and still be filthy rich.
Never do yourself what others can do for you…
Authority: There is much to be known, life is short, and life is not life without knowledge. It is therefore an excellent device to acquire knowledge from everybody. Thus, by the sweat of another’s brow, you win the reputation of being an oracle.
Sean Paul Baldemeca HI18 - N
32 comments:
In the hierarchical nature of modern society, one does not actually wish that the value of what he toils is the value of what he gets. Especially in working class societies where a boss demands work from his workers, don't expect to have a "one-to-one" correspondence of input and income. I do not know if this is still accurate, but around 20% of Filipinos get 80% of the country's money, while the 80% are made to accommodate the remaining 20%. Like the boss who gets all the credit, a leader should also exercise his power to command work to his subordinates, whilst getting all the accolades.
There's a term we teenagers use to refer to people who make full use of this law.
USER.
I agree with Janine. More often than not, the big bosses reap the spoils of their workers. Case in point: DepEd. There's been a lot of controversy regarding this department. It's one of the better examples of corruption in the Philippines. In Sulu, public school teachers went on strike because they didn't receive a salary for 3 months.
Let's face it. We all live in a society which believes that the only way to get on top is to step on other people. Why do you think people love having many connections? We use people everyday whether we choose to see it or not. It's just a matter of how you act on it that makes it acceptable or not. You can call it a favor, but just the same, we get the credit off someone else's work. This is yet another form of exploitation, and I believe that everyone has lived by this at least once in their life.
Marian Janelle Aliwalas
HI 18 N
We use this law almost everyday, if not everyday. We are simply unaware of it.
For example, when you cheat (although definitely a no-no), isn't that making others work for you and you taking the credit?
Or perhaps when people make full-blown exposes in TVs (like that of Imbestigador and XXX), it's not the researcher or the agent who did this or that who takes all the credit--the hosts of the said shows take the credit.
This is, I think, how the world really revolves. At times, you have to get people work for you and ending up taking the credit.
-Ian Cadelina
Hi18-N
it's not very wise to use people in such a way. most people are smart enough to know when they're being used and are doing all the dirty work while you get all the glory. trust me, they won't like that at all. let's face it, you can't be a god and playing god can lead to dire consequences. people these days are not stupid enough to think of you as some god-like entity or some gift from above; they know you're human too. if you're going to take advantage of others' skills, talents, and abilities, be sure to do your part. don't just sit around and do nothing or pretend to be "supervising" or "over-seeing" the work. be fair. give your workers their just rewards. don't fool yourself into thinking that your being powerful will keep you safe from being torn to pieces by angry, mistreated workers. they will find a way to get back at you. a true, good leader serves. when you help out, your followers will stay loyal and will find no trouble in working for you. a good leader also shares his glory. acknowledge and reward accordingly every worker for the work they've done. you avoid trouble that way. i'm pretty sure you wouldn't want your followers or workers going on strike.
Yes yes, but perhaps it would be clearer for you if I give you a bigger picture still.
In war, from the wars in antiquity to the modern wars of today, foot soldiers take the dirty work--they slaughter people, infiltrate this, conquer that and so on. The generals, on the other hand, take the credit for each victories they achieve--as well as the painful defeats.
True, one must give what is right, due to the workers, but then again, who takes the credit?
Another simple yet I can say good example is that of JFK. Remember the famous "Ich bin ein Berliner" speech? He acknowledged the efforts made by the translator who translated "I am a Berliner" to German, but then again, who takes the credit? The translator?
Think about it. This is how the way things work.
---
Ian Cadelina
PS: And by the way, JFK's translator made a mistake. What JFK literally said, in German, is "I am a doughnut".
Well with such mentality, don't you think that those people who worked for you will eventually go against you?
Camille's example of the situation in DepEd explains it well. We cannot use people to do our jobs if we do not pay them just, because if we commit injustice to them, chances are either 1) They will stop working for you, 2) The will go against you, or 3) tell others the injustice you have made to them, thus destroying your reputation.
In the end, you should still give credit to the person who has done the work for you.
Duey T. Guison
Hi18 N
This laws makes me remember of a scene in the Iliad, wherein Achilles was arguing with Agamemnon because Agamemnon always get the larger share, when it was mostly Achilles who does the work. It's like what Ian said, where it is usually the leader who gets all the credit, when it was in fact the warriors like Achilles who did the work.
Trixie Cruz
Hi18 O
Im not sure about this law though… what happens when people actually put you on the spotlight and ask you to demonstrate your skills in which you let others do it for you? I guess you’ll end up showing nothing and people end up hating you for being a poser. If ever anyone would want to use this law, I would suggest that you should at least have some experience in what you’re asking someone to do for you so that when the time comes when you’re on the spotlight, at least you would have something to show.
Perhaps the term "user" does not actually fit the law. Ask yourselves, "what is the spirit of this law"? Is it about using people?
The law says we must outsource if we can. That is how I interpret this law. Again, you give what is due to them, yes. But you in the end will, if not must, take the credit.
Indeed, I agree with Ian that this law is not about "using" others to do the deed for you..
Rather, this law revolves around Darwin's theory of evolution which is "natural selection". This theory states that people(or even animals and plants) are trying to adapt themselves in a particular setting in order to survive. It's more on adapting rather than using.
Which is why the author used the vulture as a metaphor for people who uphold the law since vultures only possess the ability to fly and the virtue of patience. They don't have any traits or whatsoever that could help them hunt their own prey. That is why, in order to survive, they tend to just wait and just eat the leftover from the prey of the other predators.
Sean Paul Baldemeca
HI 18 - N
Following this law entails that one has a significant amount of influence and credibility to begin with. First of all, to get others to do the work for you, either directly or indirectly, you must have the means, the cunning and/or the influence. To be able to take the credit thenceforth, you must be credible enough for other people to believe that you truly did the work.
From this view, I can imagine that the only person who will be able to pull this off is one who has worked hard enough in the past and has acquired a good reputation and control on others. I guess this law is not as much a tip on gaining power as it is a tip on sustaining it, particularly if you are already rusty or tired of doing the work.
The old saying goes that everyone is equal. Everyone equals others in certain aspects. But there is some ingenious way to disrupt that balance but one needs to be resourceful and cunning. If your arms are too short, use the arms of others. If you have too many things to do, delegate it to your extended head. It is just the matter of using the "resources" around you. Make the most out of them. Gain from them what you cannot reap from yourself. There are about 6 billion people in the world who are just waiting to be manipulated. It is up to you to use them wisely. But don't forget to always take the credit of what these extensions achieve for you.
Dexter Tanengsy, Hi18-N
Bloodsucker.
This law makes you feed on others' hardwork. You just sit there and wait for your workers to finish and then you attack. I think that this law is very cruel since you use people for personal gain. They work overtime and get exhausted doing your dirty work and yet you just sit there and watch, smiling, as they almost complete their task. After they are done, you enter the scene and take all the credit.
Alex Salaveria
HI18-N
I don't agree with what alex said.
You should not feed on their hardwork per se. Instead, you should give them their share fairly but you just have to earn more.. way more. It's your reward for being clever and being on that position. Everyone under you wants to be on your shoes and eventually, one of them will take over. So as much as possible, maximize the use of your position but don't forget to give your subordinates a fair share for their hardwork so they'll feel that they gained from what they plowed.
So is it just like being the boss of a company?
Alex Salaveria
HI18-N
@alex
Well, not really. But you have to be in power in order to maximize the use of this law...
And do you think bosses didn't use this law to reach their positions??
i think this is a cheap law. used to obtain cheap ends. manipulation plays a large role here, and it seems such a waste of effort just to make sure that all the glory is centered on you. I mean if it comes to manipulation then why not utilize your talents into observing the other laws? Of course, given an opportune situation, this law will definitely come in handy, but i think it's a waste of intellectual effort just to make sure you take the credit. There is a high risk of being countered as well. You have to be extremely careful to cover your tracks. For me it all seems a hassle and a waste of time to try and keep observing such a law. For me there are better laws to have power. The real powers do not need to resort to this.
Mark Bantayan
Hi18 N
It's all fun if you're the one employing this law , but when it's on you, not so much.
Once your people see how you take the credit for their hard work, chances are, they won't be as motivated to do their best. After all, why bother to exert your best when your efforts are not recognized? I believe the best way to establish power and have control over your subordinates is to gain their respect by setting the example. Work hard and push them to work as hard as you are. Then give credit where credit is due. This is one of the best ways to motivate and encourage them.
It's an effective way to achieve power, but you have to think at what expense you achieve this. It's actually difficult to employ this without risking damage to relationships and gaining the enmity of others. Because of this, it gets difficult to apply it in real life.
Patty Geollegue
Hi18-N
i agree with sean paul and ian said. we should interpret what the law says. For me, it just says that we have to find ways to maximize our output by minimizing the input.But for the workers who do much of the work, we should not neglect their efforts and give them what is due.
letting your employees/apprentices do the work for you doesn't mean that you stepped on their rights. As a leader you must order them to do so. Imagine giving bonuses to a thousand of workers. That wouldn't greatly deplete the company's income
Why break a bone when you can do things without even lifting a finger? Who does not enjoy reaping the fruits of another man’s labor eh?
A lot of these had happen, is happening and will continue to happen. Let’s admit it. The world is designed so that people could be unequal-- rise on top of another.
Though it may seem to sound so easy, the truth is, it’s not. One must first establish a power base. One must first prove himself worthy to be a vulture.
Katherine Conde
hi18 O
I think that this law doesn't have to be as evil as it sounds. I think that today, leverage is something everyone has to know how to use correctly and this is what this law of power is on. Putting in as little effort as possible and reaping as much benefits you can from it.
This law is the opposite of the law which states that let other people do the dirty work for you. In a good situation, you should take the credit. In a bad situation, let another person take the blame. Simple law which everyone should understand.
Alan Mamonluk
Hi18-O
I fully agree with what Patty said. It's only good when your the one playing the game, but when you're the one being played on, it's not extremely nice. In military principles, "What makes a good leader?" It says..
A leader is best
When people are least aware
Of his leadership,
Not so good when they
Acclaim and obey him blindly,
Worse when they despise him.
But of a good leader
Who talks little
When his work is done
And his aim fulfilled,
They will say:
“We did it ourselves.”
..I think you can still get the credit by being a good leader in your people and not being a vulture by not giving your men credit. They did something, therefore, they deserve something too. If you are a good leader to them, chances are, they will respect you, and acclaim you and will honor all their good works for you. In this way, you need not get it from them, they freely give it to you. Now, what's better than this?
Joan Medalla
Hi18 N
I agree with joan here. What good are you as a leader? What is your worth should you just take the credit from those who deserve it? In the end, should you follow this insolent value, all you will reap would be spite and eventual and cataclysmic downfall.
Heavy, ain't it? Spite because... well, you did take away credit due to your people. Eventual and cataclysmic downfall because since you never really did participate, you never learned much of anything. Which just means everyone else is better than you... Again, what good are you? now that you are the weakest link...
I agree with Camille Martinez and Alex Salaveria said:
USER AND BLOODSUCKER.
This law is not only mean, it is unjust.
Not only will you suck the energy out of the people who work for you, they will eventually lose motivation, and turn against you.
Eric Andres
HI 18 Section N
Although, yeah, ethically-- this law is appalling. But the world is harsh and as bad as this law may be, it's still an essential foundation of power. It's sad, but the world does not operate as what we want it to. As Mariel said, we live in a society which believes that the only way to the top is to step on other people.
It's survival of the fittest.
__________________________________
Patrick Reyes Hi18O
hehehe.....
USERS
That s smart but if ur noticed u mught gain he discredit ratherthan the credit....
This law sounds cruel enough and unfair for the workers but, yes, i admit it is power (TOO MUCH POWER) if you apply it.
Will you allow yourself to be step upon then? Look how many scientists were not given credit of their discovery because others had published it first. Take for example the discovery of oxygen. Joseph Priestly is famous to be related to this matter. Yet, it is not him who dicovered it first. Rather, it is Carl Scheele who discovered it in 1772.
That what makes the world a big competition. One would really do anything just to win even if the means would include "using" people SMARTLY.
:Joanne Atienza N
I think the law was taken in a negative way of thinking, thanks to how Robert Greene wrote it. The term "users" and "bloodsuckers" may turn to be the outcome of overusing this law, but then again, what does the law say? Or better yet, what does Robert Greene say in the introduction of the book?
Remember that everything must be done in moderation. That's one reminder we should always put in mind if we are to venture for power. Second, consider other laws written in the book. For example, overdoing this law will definitely will go against law 19 (something about do not offend the wrong person). Remember that people are assets--indispensable assets.
---
Ian Cadelina
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