Flattery, when performed properly, is the one of the surest ways of getting what you want. And what can be better than being treated as the most intelligent? Assuring anyone that they know more than you will always lower their guards because they think that they are always one step ahead of you. That assumption gives you room to scheme up something right under their noses. Because seriously, who would expect that an idiot is capable of deceit and deception?
Arnold and Slack were two prospectors who managed to pull of one of the most amazing jewelry cons, even managing to swindle Tiffany's and some of the biggest tycoons in the 1870's. They played on the news of the gold rush in the US and the diamond mines in Africa and announced the "discovery" of the new diamond mine in West America. They bought their own gems and everything to show the investors that they were real. Of course, all the big shots thought that they were "winning one over" the two by buying the mines when really, they were the ones duped. How did they manage to do this? By playing stupid.
Another good example of this is in poker. It's a trick called sandbagging, acting as if your good hand sucks. Poker has always been a game of probabilities. But I think it's also in your presentation. It's all about successfully buffing up your opponents' egos and making them bet more than usual.
But think about it... this law can't always work. Before even pulling off such a performance, you have to make sure that your cards ARE better than everyone else's. Otherwise, everything will be in vain. There are so many ways that this law (as well as all the others) can go wrong... is it really worth the risk?
Isabella Ocampo Hi18-K
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35 comments:
I like the difficulty of pulling out a great bluff. Everything rides on the gamble that others will be fooled, so the jester will have to put on his best tomfoolery as bait.
But what if a prince's reputation is undermined by pretending to be weak? Or, like in a game of chess, an exposed piece acting as bait, soon becomes a liability?
d valerio
hi18L
I like it how people would expect the least from you at first, and then after a period of time, you just wow them like BOOM! That gives kind of a wow factor there, right? But take a look at it this way. What if the enemy turns out to be someone who abuses power to its fullest extent, like someone who sees his himself as someone who has might 10 times more than you do and decides to lord it over you. Would things turn out the same for you then?
Chua Rojas, Serica
HI 18 - L
Generally, it's a pretty simple and good way of tricking your enemy and getting your way, since it gives you the element of surprise--people would probably never suspect anything from you. They'd underestimate or maybe even disregard you, and in so doing, not even think of protecting themselves against anything you have planned. But, like you all have pointed out, there IS that risk. It's really in the way you plan and execute it, I guess. In a game of deception and in war, though, one can really never be too careful..so whatever trick you use or plan to use, there will always be that risk. This law is as good a tool as any in a battle of wits or whatever.
Also, at Serica Chua Rojas..I don't think it would matter if the enemy lorded it over you. The main thing is that you get what you want and get the job done. Lording your supposed "stupidity and incompetence" wouldn't change anything as long as you accomplish your goal. What would his/her gloating about your supposed "stupidity" do to that victory then? Just my opinion :D
Kristina Tan
Hi 18 K
i relate this to what young filipino generations like to do "Fishing". We act as if we don't know what they're talking about for self-gratification. and self-assurance. Act stupid to hear the compliment or whatever HAHA. funny
One of the simplest tricks in the book, but I think there's something about this law that makes its implementation a little fishy to the target. When reading your example about the goldmine swindlers, I couldn't help but think that there might have been a lot of doors to leave open--submissiveness can be suspicious, and there's a limit to how much you can play dumb before a little light can be shed on your ulterior motives.
But that aside, I think this strategy would work by those blinded by their own greed and ambition, as stated in the case of Arnold and Slack. It's just a matter of determining how stupid your opponent is before you play stupid yourself, I guess.
Peep Warren
Hi18-L
this ties in with the first law -- never outshine the master. no matter how devious it sounds -- i always thought it was unethical to get ahead by any other merit than hard work -- the logic behind the law cannot be contested.
However, the law depends upon how much those Empowered believe you are, actually, less than you present. they were underlings before they raised themselves to power so it's safe -- not to mention, smart -- to assume that they know the Ins and Outs, the chaotic underworld of their subordinates.
Playing Dumb also indicates that you won't be trusted with certain facts -- no one lets a miserable, stupid employee handle large accounts. those in power -- those you work for, in this case -- aren't so complacent as to entrust possibly career-altering projects to unreliable underlings.
i believe this law is subjective -- it depends upon how Proud the master is and what gradient of Unreliable you portray. People grow wary of flattery.
Ironically, the application of this law depends, largely, on outsmarting your master, pulling the wool over their eyes, so to speak, which is only effective under specific circumstances.
Given the pros and cons, i don't think this law is particularly helpful -- the higher-ups, themselves, were part of the culture that brought them into a position of power and are familiar with the subordinates' antics.
kyra ballesteros
hi18 K
Playing weak or dumb to later on unfold yourself as someone capable of amassing a lot of power is one good strategy. Your opponent will underestimate you and feel complacent so he or she wouldn't do anything rigorous. Then in the end you'll surprise him, totally unprepared. However, before even playing weak or dumb, know your opponents strengths and weaknesses so you'll know your game plan. ryt?
Rhea Entuna
HI18-L
Makes a lot of sense. You can't win in poker without a good poker face.
But I wonder if it's worth being labeled a player; someone who can't be trusted. What's going to stop them from conning you?
Sam Bautista
Hi18-K
I like that you mentioned that this and not all the laws will always work. It is true because in the end, you may end up being the sucker. One who can pull this off will indeed be very powerful. :)
Gianina R. Fortun
Hi18 - K
Its true that you never know what will happen even when trying to trick someone.... like every venture, its a gamble... you really never know what can happen... what makes con-men great is their ability to play with your ego. They make seem like you are getting the upper hand of the deal... in a way like magicians. They make you see only one side of a much greater schem... but they do it in a way where it seems like they dint know it was gonna happen and are surprised as the rest of you...
Gabby Locsin
Hi 18 K
"I like the difficulty of pulling out a great bluff. Everything rides on the gamble that others will be fooled, so the jester will have to put on his best tomfoolery as bait.
But what if a prince's reputation is undermined by pretending to be weak? Or, like in a game of chess, an exposed piece acting as bait, soon becomes a liability?
d valerio
hi18L"
Its true that you can never know... but thats why you also always have to have a back up plan.... like in chess you dont just let the piece be bait without a reason... and the more contingencies you have the better prepared you are for a change in circumstance
Gabby Locsin
Hi 18 K
"Generally, it's a pretty simple and good way of tricking your enemy and getting your way, since it gives you the element of surprise--people would probably never suspect anything from you. They'd underestimate or maybe even disregard you, and in so doing, not even think of protecting themselves against anything you have planned. But, like you all have pointed out, there IS that risk. It's really in the way you plan and execute it, I guess. In a game of deception and in war, though, one can really never be too careful..so whatever trick you use or plan to use, there will always be that risk. This law is as good a tool as any in a battle of wits or whatever.
Also, at Serica Chua Rojas..I don't think it would matter if the enemy lorded it over you. The main thing is that you get what you want and get the job done. Lording your supposed "stupidity and incompetence" wouldn't change anything as long as you accomplish your goal. What would his/her gloating about your supposed "stupidity" do to that victory then? Just my opinion :D
Kristina Tan
Hi 18 K"
I agree with Kristina in the fact that you should disregard what others say about you, as long as you come out on top...
It is easy though to catch a sucker.... whats hard though is if your victim isnt as stupid as would be wished...
This law reminds me of one of the examples for my law.
Count Victor Lustig went to a hotel where no one knew anything about him except for the fact that he was very wealthy. One day, he came up to a Mr. Herman Loller, one of the lesser prominent residents in the hotel. The count engaged him in conversation and after some time, Mr. Loller confessed that he had money problems. Count Lustig gave him a solution. Purportedly, he had a money-making machine that reproduced legitimate money in any currency after 6 hours. Loller bought this machine for a large sum of money and after a few months of unsuccessful attempts at using the machine, he had to report to the police that he had been duped by the count.
Count Lustig was rich, really, but then he pretended to be poor so as to draw Mr. Loller in. He pretended to have problems. He also pretended that he had this moneymaking machine that he would sell Loller because they were friends. He pretended to be the sucker that would sell his money-making machine and Loller was a sucker for believing Lustig would actually do so.
And as you said There are so many ways that this law (as well as all the others) can go wrong... is it really worth the risk?
For a lot of people it is worth the risk. You get a lot of power if it all works out for you. And besides, if you don't risk anything, you might miss out. (Think stock markets. It's a gamble engaging in it, but it can have a high rate of return.)
Theresa Rosario Tan
hi18k
yeah i agree that the dangerous thing about trying this law is that you think he's underestimating you but he's really just acting As If he was going along with your affected stupidity/gullibility.
anyone can act stupid. the harder thing is learning to distinguish those who are merely acting dumb from those who unfortunately are for real.
monica ang L
This law may seem simple, but it can take a lot of acting skills to pull this strategy off. Moreover, convincing your opponent that you really are stupid may not always work, but if he buys it, then you're way ahead because while your opponent thinks you're dumb or far from beating him, you get his hopes for winning really high up while you work on a plan to get him down. And when you get him down, that's when HE, your opponent, becomes the stupid one. Not only does he lose; he gets embarrassed for being fooled.
Dana Cammayo
Hi18-L
i think it is worth the risk, as long as you are really sure that you have everything under control. you really have to seem believable genuine so as not to generate suspicion and doubt from the others. also, the people who you are dealing with must be people you can handle. or else, they might be able to easily see through your intentions and know that you are just faking things. you have to be certain that the people you will trick will fall into your trap, or else things may not go as desired.
-Philip Albert T. Verde
Hi18 K
For the "poker" case, if I were to decide, i am going to choose the safe way / I wont risk everything when I'm not really sure if I can win the game. Personally, i don't believe much on my luck, so I'd rather choose to be safe.
As for "playing sucker", again, if I am sure that I can deceive others and benefit from doing that, I would surely "play a sucker" but if there are also big possibilities that my deceiving plan will fail (which would bring me a lot of loss), I wouldn't risk my life on it.
I might sound coward, in terms of not wanting to risk something for the fear that I might loose it, but, I really would not want my achievements / preparations to be placed in risky situation.
For the "poker" case, if I were to decide, i am going to choose the safe way / I wont risk everything when I'm not really sure if I can win the game. Personally, i don't believe much on my luck, so I'd rather choose to be safe.
As for "playing sucker", again, if I am sure that I can deceive others and benefit from doing that, I would surely "play a sucker" but if there are also big possibilities that my deceiving plan will fail (which would bring me a lot of loss), I wouldn't risk my life on it.
I might sound coward, in terms of not wanting to risk something for the fear that I might loose it, but, I really would not want my achievements / preparations to be placed in risky situation.
Hong, Yu Chin
Hi18-K
Concealment is a valuable skill in a quest for power. Concealment of intention and of skill. Basically, the most powerful are adept in the game of deception (GMA?). The concealment of intellectual prowess can comfort your enemies and leave them complacent to your ulterior motives. This plays a greater role today where information is power, and the ones in power usually have a monopoly on the information.
Denis Flores
Hi 18K
I like this law. It sounds so simple yet it's so hard to execute. There are so many things that come with it. People have to buy all the acting. You have to be patient, very very patient. You have to act at the right time. And it only takes one thing to go wrong and everything collapses. Not to mention the time it'll take to foster that stupid-smarter relationship...
Jaime Lizada
Hi18 K
This law is sly and funny combined! It would be fun to pull of a trick like this and end up victorious after the deed. Although, I agree with Jaime when he says that this law is a simple law yet something that is difficult to accomplish. Something that's easier said than done. There are too many flaws to avoid. Of course, on must be really good when it comes to playing the part of a sucker. Make it believable lest you mind end up being the real sucker in the situation.
Krizia Javate
Hi18-K
Good one. I couldn't help but wonder if I have ever been fooled into thinking that someone is weaker than he/she actually is. I have to admit, there have been a couple of times when I've underestimated people. It leaves me thinking if those people did it on purpose as a tool against me or I merely judge them hastily without further enabling them to show me what they've got. If they did the former, well then, I have to admit that it's a good strategy, needless to say, a sneaky one.
Monica Copuyoc
H18- L
I find this law interesting because I'm used to laws restricting people from doing things which are illegal or things that may cause harm to others. However, this law somewhat encourages people to act someone who they are not just to get others off guard.
I'm one with you when you said that this law can't always work. First, you really have to know the game to become as successful as possible in achieving your goal. Second, there's no guarantee that your bait will be bought by the "sucker" for they too think and are also capable of distinguishing whether or not they are being tricked by you. Lastly, even though you become good at playing as a sucker, you can never be so sure. Who knows? Things happen and it can backfire at you.
Tom Manahan
Hi 18-K
There are also many ways in which this law surely cannot apply. In the context of the corporate world, if you act stupid and flatter everyone above you as being more intelligent, well say goodbye to the hopes of being promoted. A more general approach to this law would be "Kiss ass". By doing so, you don't necessarily sacrifice your intellectual status but you definitely keep the whole flattery thing. And to agree with Peep, most of the time, submissiveness can indeed be very suspicious. I personally find it very weird if a stranger acts very submissive. It's either they're up to something or they don't have enough self-belief to have their own stand on things.
This is a nice law. It plays on the specific weakness of people that they want to feel superior, that they have the upper hand. There are many stories of this kind of thinking in many cultures called trickster tales where in they pull one over on the nobilities and high ranking officials. One example of this in the Philippines is the Pilandok tales.
Sean Co
Hi 18K
It is true that most people will at some point feel superior towards other people... But isn't it more satisfying that you had to play an inferior role to show your superiority? the irony is fun and funny...
Take the angler fish for example, it uses it's small, glowing body part as a bait..to lure smaller creatures near it when in fact a huge, looming creature is right underneath it?
Gail Lim
Hi 18-K
Fundamentally, we are compelled to tell the truth. That's why there are people who construct verbal syntax in such a way that they can capitalize on the aforementioned tidbit. You can call them sly, cheating, deceitful, fraudulent, snakes or whatever. I don't know about you guys but all I know is that these guys have burnt pants. :p
Joey Palma
Hi18-K
I agree with you when you say that "flattery, when performed properly, is the one of the surest ways of getting what you want." When people are flattered, they start too feel good about themselves, a sense of complacency comes over them, making them vulnerable to a surprise attack. A pretty good strategy, if you ask me. However, what Serica said is true. Sometimes, it's difficult to read some people, and you may just be underestimating someone's oppressive and abusive nature. I completely agree with what you said earlier, "Before even pulling off such a performance, you have to make sure that your cards ARE better than everyone else's." :)
Elise Noelle Anne Lim
Hi18 Section L
Flattery is indeed a powerful tool in getting what one wants. This tool is more effective when used on greedy egotistic individuals. So the people this law is used on may as well be one of the important factors that should be kept in mind.
I agree that this law may not go right all the time, but if one were to develop the skill to genuinely make others believe in what they're trying to do/sell/etc., then that person would go a long way with this particular law.
Paolo Banaga
Hi 18-L
I agree, who would expect such an idiot is capable of control. I think I've already read and watched this law; as this is mostly applied to sidekicks turned evil villain type novels and movies. Particularly, it does not work out on those examples. Trying to please someone to provide the advantage is very tricky. I agree that the person has to be assured that his cards are far much better that everyone else's. If executed correctly and efficiently, this would definitely work out well.
Czarina Kathryne Masagca
Hi18-L
Airing unpredictability seem effective and reflects wittiness and provides convenient strategies. Although, this may also provide the idea of cowardne in a way. If the opponent is unguarded, not ready and was attacked then the war would be a success. But what if they were ready? Would the situation turn out the same? It is a smart way to guarantee a win and make the people doubt the security of the enemy. This however not assure the strengths of those who attacked in stealth. But then again, a strong army is a strong army.
Czarina Kathryne Masagca
Hi18-L
For the post above:
*idea of being a coward in way*
Ooops, sorry! Wrong law for the last two comments. Sorry!
That's coz people like people who they think they can show up. It's a natural defense mechanism.
nikka du, L
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