Sunday, November 23, 2008

Law # 18: Do not build fortresses to protect yourself – isolation is dangerous

Somehow, the security of a citadel overlooking an urban sprawl below seems to be the safest place for a sovereign leader to reside forever. On the contrary, it will prove to be his/her greatest mistake as it leaves him/her vulnerable, exposed and fixed at a single spot.

Cut off from everything, an isolationist risks the country from civil disorders. Without a firm hand to guide them, appointed ministers start to lose faith and establish their own fiefdoms. Townspeople look at the citadel as if it is the devil. Left alone, the isolationist starts to lose perspective, grace and communication – the very traits that should enable him to rule.

Qin Shi Huang united China from its past of warring states. That China has its many wonders and remarkable organization is attributed to him. However, he retired with himself in Hsien-yang with only a few subjects knowing his whereabouts. To add to his mistakes, he challenged the teachings of Confucius and retreated more in seclusion that instead, his eunuchs ruled the country. Even in death he was isolated.

Power is dependent on social structures and interaction. Therefore, isolation is no way to gain it. A prince needs to be permeable, floating from circle to circle and seeking information and contacts whenever possible. Mobility counters plotters. A strong visible leader captivates. Ladder-climbers are held in place by promises of later ascendancy. Conformity binds everyone to a central point.

Louis XIV made all the nobility stay with him in the palace of Versailles. His rule was that everything should revolve around him. Nobles were humbled because of conformity and fear of the Panopticon – a system of total surveillance. People are awed by the order and grace of the state. Because of this, he ruled 72 years, making France the dominant state in his time.

Other people that are successful because of this law are Cicero (born of a low nobility yet was able to climb up), Shakespeare (he knew the hearts of the people), Talleyrand (blending in different regimes) and Darius I (organization of satraps and “eyes of the king”).

We are then left with a dichotomy of the watchmen and the townspeople. If you are a townsperson, are you willing to subject yourself to a policy of the Panopticon – total control? If you are a leader faced with this quandary, will you choose to be the watchman?

Dylan Kemuel Maynigo Valerio
Hi 18-L

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately, I don't think I'd be a very cooperative townsperson given the set-up of a Panopticon, once I find out about it. Privacy is a big deal for me and I can't just have some person watching my every move. And as a leader, I don't think I'd want to be the watchman either. After a certain extent, I believe in "ignorance is bliss" and "there are some things better left unsaid" or in this case, "unknown". Everyone is entitled to their secrets. So long as those secrets don't put anyone in harm's way, then it's fine by me.

I think this is the first law that doesn't involve some type of deception or detachment. I agree very much with "mingling". It's always easier to gain people's trusts and insights by living among them, talking to them, interacting with them. On the other hand (if that's the way you want to deal with things), it'll also be easier to manipulate them because you have their trust and opinions. So, it's a win-win situation. The problem is finding that balance of being "part of them" and still being the respected leader.

Bea Ocampo Hi18-K

Anonymous said...

For me, I believe that the Panopticon set-up is tolerable as long as it has its limitations. I mean, it can and should only be used to uphold peace and order among the community.It should never be abused by the watchmen, especially now wherein we are living in a world where advance technology (satellites) allows people to watch anybody's movements.

And if whenever this panopticon system is abused, then I think it is actually more dangerous than being alone and isolated.

Tom Manahan
hi18-k

Anonymous said...

I don't think I can ever be under that kind of rule. I'd go crazy and get killed.

As a watchman, I would not want to subject my people to a Panopticon rule as this would generate fear - too much fear - that people would rebel and try to overthrow me. Even if I did not abuse my power by calling out my enemies or whatever, the people would still fight against this rule. Freedom is something essential to every man's life.

("Better even to die free than to live slaves." by Frederick Douglass)

---------------
Although this law's explanation has many good points, it also clashes with the law 16 -(use absence to increase respect and honor).

By not socializing TOO much, you can create an aura of mystery about you which would make others want to court your attention more to try to find out anything they can about you.

Besides, the more time you spend around others, the higher the probability there is that you'd blurt out something bad/disadvantageous or make a faux pas/socially crippling action.

Aside from the contradicting law I mentioned, isolation can also give you a better perspective of the situation as a whole. it can also give you the advantage of appearing to be neutral/harmless in times of political vendettas on both sides, granting you safety for the time being.

-monica ang
hi18 L

tightfit said...

i agree that a leader must be seen and experienced to be powerful -- this is partly why great Orators most valued by the ancient Greeks were so untouchable, why they were listened to and why they were powerful.

However, a certain mysticism exists around Leaders. we can get close but we can't get too close. i think we have to make them signify Ideals in order to communicate who they are -- sometimes, WHAT they are -- without having to consider them as persons. As a society, the awareness that people are falliable shouldn't cross-over to Politics. we don't want to know that our leaders are just like us -- we want them to become separate from us.

(sometimes, singular, uncomplicated, uncompromising ideals such as Obama crafting an identity out of the concept of Change and its numerous connotations -- his association with Change necessitated the juxtaposition of a no-less powerful, no-less recognizable ideal: Tradition. McCain got the short end of the stick)

aside from NECESSARILY striking a balance -- How close is Close Enough? -- and recognizing when one becomes less effective -- the law also brings out a Leader's vulnerable position. In this law, at least, those in Power must fear the subjugated. (because of the Law's mention of protecting the empowered) which, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT -- means that those being dominated are also powerful.

--kyra ballesteros hi18K

Anonymous said...

So how does this (law) apply to the Japanese Isolation before the Meiji Era?

- Bjorn Umali Hi18-L

Anonymous said...

As a townsperson I think it would be really frightening not being able to have a say in what was to go on in my life. If I had a tyrant as a leader and had no choice but to follow him, I'd probably be living in fear everyday wondering what could be in store for me.

However, I do not agree with not building fortresses. Isolation is indeed dangerous, but I believe that a leader puts himself in a really compromising position and to have power is often, to have enemies as well. A smart leader would take necessary precautions in ensuring his or her safety. Obviously too much protection can turn into paranoia, but just the right amount is fine. I think that it is in a way common sense to want to protect one's self and even more for someone in a dangerous position.

Regina A. Yulo
Hi 18 L

Sean said...

Ching Shih Huang Di used to be open to his subjects. Right after he united China, he took a tour of China. He went places and met people. He only became secluded when people tried to kill him. If you are being targeted for assassination wouldn't you want your enemies to not know where you are? Or be protected by walls or in this modern age bulletproof glass and bombproof cars?

Sean Co
HI 18K

Anonymous said...

i agree with bea that privacy is very important. there are times when people must be given their own space, and we have to respect that. also, not everything in a person's life can easily be shared and disclosed to others. some matters are just too personal and sensitive. also, there are times when people learn better when alone. it can give them more focus. however, too much privacy and isolation can also be bad. it is important to be involved in the goings-on around us so that we can cope. in this world, i am sure that there have been many successful people who arrived where they are at right now due to their PR skills. it really is important to interact with others, and find out how you can help and be helped. having ties and connections with others can make you stronger. working with others can make you get things done easier and faster.

it's all about balance.

-Philip Albert T. Verde
Hi18 K

chiocebrero said...

Indeed, balance is the key to succesful application of this law. Isolate yourself too much and you risk losing your power as you fade into obscurity.

Make yourself too visible, however, and you risk losing your authority. A leader should always keep a certain distance to assert his position. When a leader becomes too close for comfort, he may be being treated as an "ordinary" citizen. While this set-up probably works in some cultures, I believe that the traditional power relation dichotomy of ruler-ruled is still the best leadership system.

Chio Cebrero
Hi 18 L

Anonymous said...

i think being isolated can make you a magnet to speculation. i mean, being isolated will make it more obvious that you are indeed hiding something. speculation will be the first step in blowing your cover and thus revealing everything that you are trying to hide.

maybe a more effective idea than this is to deceive the enemy, make them think that you are showing everything you've got but in reality what you are flaunting is just the tip of the iceberg.

John Kristoffer M. Gomez
hi18 - section L

Anonymous said...

I most certainly agree. Isolation is for the cowards who only want power for the sake of it. To be a leader is to know the social structure of the people. What's the power and control for anyway if one only hides himself? People will only continue to realize how unimportant their leader is because his *isolation. I don't think, however, that is should be on the policy of Panopticon. It's too much control. People would like moderation, structures rules but with democracy. As they say, 'too much of something is bad'

Czarina Kathryne Masagca
Hi18-L

jaimelizada said...

Reading the post, these group of sentences stood out.

"A strong visible leader captivates. Ladder-climbers are held in place by promises of later ascendancy. Conformity binds everyone to a central point."

At this point in time, it doesn't really matter if we're separated from each other. The world wide web and media has allowed distance to be a concept left in the past. There are so many leaders now in hiding but are still very much influential. Leaders of the JI, people such as Bin Laden, though hidden still have huge influence, another would be Aung San Suu Kyi. So maybe the name of this law isn't that applicable anymore but I have to agree that isolation still is dangerous. The thing is, again, with the world wide web and the media, it's just so hard to be "totally isolated".

Strong visible leaders really do captivate. We've become people of doubt, and we have to see it to believe it. We have to see our leaders preach their words so that we'll trust them. Web videos will do by the way.

Lastly, conformity binds everyone to a central point. Bravo. Well said.

Jaime Lizada
Hi18 K

Anonymous said...

The problem with building impenetrable walls around yourself is that as much as everyone else is kept out, you are kept in. Starving to death is a likely possibility. Also, movement is essential in warfare. While standing there all strong and unbreakable and taking blows may seem like the macho thing to do, when you evade attacks you sustain less damage on the whole. Also, warfare is two sided. Defense can only work with effective offense.
"Power is dependent on social structures and interaction." --> I love that you pointed this out. It's all about power, and we forget sometimes about how the dynamics of domination and submission govern all human behavior (if you agree with that). Besides, the book is about power. And shutting yourself in like a scared hermit crab does not make you powerful. It may keep you safe in the short run, but ultimately, it might even make you more vulnerable to the unpredictability of nature.
Du, L

krizia said...

speculation will be the first step in blowing your cover and thus revealing everything that you are trying to hide.

I agree with John. It's as if you are allowing someone to anticipate for something to surface from the deep. Being a mystery to people has its advantages but when chosen as the only strategy could ruin you completely.

It's pretty much how entertainment works. Hollywood stars try their best to hide their worst deeds but sometimes, the more they hide things, the more it gets obvious. It becomes more evident as they continue to become more avoiding which definitely encourages speculation. As people create numerous hypotheses, eventually only less and less will become sensible until the truth finally comes out.

krizia said...

Krizia Javate
Hi18-K

Anonymous said...

Perhaps, in the sense that I'd want to be part of the Foucaltian Panopticon in order to conform to certain standards of social order. The watchman's angle is useful for law enforcement, education, and other things they relate to.

With regard to isolation, in some ways it's a little better than having to face an overwhelming diaspora, but if you become isolated enough to skew your notions of common sense and perception, then that really is dangerous.

Peep Warren
Hi18-L

Unknown said...

employing an isolationist policy has its ups and downs. Looking at Civ 3, and isolationist policy somehow decreases the rate of technology advances since there is no trading of techs. Then again, one can be independent and self-sustaining. I think though that it's better to open your doors, and if you feel uncomfortable with trading technologies, just kill off your competition before they take you out. >:)

Denis Flores
Hi 18k

sambau said...

No man is an island, as they say. But I think this law shouldn't be viewed in black and white. You can't isolate yourself, but you can't expose yourself out in the open for everyone to see. That will leave you just as vulnerable, possibly even more vulnerable to your enemies and ill-wishers. You have to put up your set of walls, just don't build them too high so if a fire starts, you can still get out.

Sam Bautista
Hi18-K

sambau said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
danaceline said...

A powerful person/leader is someone who is dominant over people, not away from them. And yes, "Power is dependent on social structures and interaction", that's why isolating oneself doesn't make a person powerful at all. Isolation is not only dangerous; it makes a person look like a coward. Keep in mind that one of the best ways to gain power over people is to earn their trust, and this will never be possible if the person isolates himself.

Dana Cammayo
Hi18-L

Anonymous said...

lky [url=http://www.celineluggagetotediscount.com]Celine Handbags[/url] lgh http://www.celineluggagetotediscount.com yiu [url=http://www.celinehandbagsdiscount.com]Celine Bags[/url] bop http://www.celinehandbagsdiscount.com tue [url=http://www.celinebagxiao.com]Celine Bags[/url] ojx http://www.celinebagxiao.com szr [url=http://www.celinehandbagswe.com]Celine Handbags[/url] mkh http://www.celinehandbagswe.com rsf [url=http://www.drdrebeatsname.com]Dr Dre Beats[/url] ruq http://www.drdrebeatsname.com zpd

Anonymous said...

gys [url=http://www.beatsbydrename.com]Beats By Dre[/url] smv http://www.beatsbydrename.com isz [url=http://www.cheapbeatsbydrelo.com]Beats By Dre[/url] bhl http://www.cheapbeatsbydrelo.com iek [url=http://www.drdrebeatswe.com]Cheap Beats By Dre[/url] efh http://www.drdrebeatswe.com lol [url=http://www.cheapbeatsbydrewe.com]Cheap Beats By Dre[/url] tfy http://www.cheapbeatsbydrewe.com ost [url=http://www.beatsbydrewe.com]Dr Dre Beats[/url] yrn http://www.beatsbydrewe.com lyz [url=http://www.celineluggagetotediscount.com]Celine Bags[/url] hxq http://www.celineluggagetotediscount.com osw [url=http://www.celinehandbagsdiscount.com]Celine Handbags[/url] gbq http://www.celinehandbagsdiscount.com qjh

Anonymous said...

It's amazing for me to have a website, which is useful in favor of my know-how. thanks admin

my page; cash advance savannah ga

Anonymous said...

fem [url=http://www.hollisteroutletnamee.com]Hollister Outlet[/url] oen http://www.hollisteroutletnamee.com afm [url=http://www.hollisterjeansname.com]Hollister Clothing[/url] oze http://www.hollisterjeansname.com qzj [url=http://www.hollisteroutletname.com]Hollister Jeans[/url] udm http://www.hollisteroutletname.com kpr [url=http://www.hollisterjeanswe.com]Hollister Outlet[/url] chi http://www.hollisterjeanswe.com mxf [url=http://www.cheapbeatsbydrename.com]Hollister Jeans[/url] voh http://www.cheapbeatsbydrename.com aau [url=http://www.celineluggagetotediscount.com]Celine Bags[/url] bib http://www.celineluggagetotediscount.com iys [url=http://www.celinehandbagsdiscount.com]Celine Bags[/url] xbv http://www.celinehandbagsdiscount.com zku

Anonymous said...

whr [url=http://www.celineluggagetotediscount.com]Celine Handbags[/url] uvq http://www.celineluggagetotediscount.com ykw [url=http://www.celinehandbagsdiscount.com]Celine Bag[/url] vsv http://www.celinehandbagsdiscount.com huf [url=http://www.celinebagxiao.com]Celine Handbags[/url] lom http://www.celinebagxiao.com ene [url=http://www.celinehandbagswe.com]Celine Bags[/url] rul http://www.celinehandbagswe.com hhd [url=http://www.drdrebeatsname.com]Beats By Dre[/url] zjz http://www.drdrebeatsname.com kbr [url=http://www.hollisteroutletnamee.com]Hollister Outlet[/url] quk http://www.hollisteroutletnamee.com rfl [url=http://www.hollisterjeansname.com]Hollister Jeans[/url] xhu http://www.hollisterjeansname.com pik

Anonymous said...

duk [url=http://www.celineluggagetotediscount.com]Celine Bag[/url] bnb http://www.celineluggagetotediscount.com dfc [url=http://www.celinehandbagsdiscount.com]Celine Handbags[/url] pig http://www.celinehandbagsdiscount.com yed [url=http://www.celinebagxiao.com]Celine Handbags[/url] lrm http://www.celinebagxiao.com fqz [url=http://www.celinehandbagswe.com]Celine Handbags[/url] vyk http://www.celinehandbagswe.com ndo [url=http://www.drdrebeatsname.com]Cheap Beats By Dre[/url] aqn http://www.drdrebeatsname.com ffl

Anonymous said...

e cig, smokeless cigarette, smokeless cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, e cigarette, electronic cigarette brands