Law 21 is saying that one must play dumb while remaining smart; play the fool to gain an advantage. How does that work? When made to feel superior, people tend to get complacent. It is a very rash thing to show your superiority to others. Playing dumb is all about the goal of manipulating the sense of security of others.
Intelligence is the obvious quality to downplay, but why stop there? Taste and sophistication rank close to intelligence on the vanity scale; make people feel they are more sophisticated than you are and their guard will come down and when it does, it becomes the perfect time to strike.
One example of when such strategy was employed was during the Trojan War, the war that the Greeks fought against the city of Troy. This war is believed to reflect a real war between Greeks and the Troad inhabitants. The siege lasted for ten years and ended when the Greek warriors employed treachery. The Greeks made it seem to the Trojans that they were giving up. The Trojans—feeling superior to have made the Greeks leave—were caught off-guard when the Greeks gained entrance by hiding in the Trojan Horse and subsequently ransacked and burned the city.
The strategy of playing dumb is still widely used. Several books on cross-cultural business warn westerners when engaging in business with Asians. These books give the impression that Asian businesspersons opt to hide their capabilities and bide their time until a chance to surpass the rest arises.
Have YOU ever tried to play the wolf in sheep’s clothing?
Roshmia T. Pundato
Section L; 11:30-12:30
30 comments:
Example of those that adhere to this law are foreign businessmen. Some of them would, at meetings with foreign executives or representatives, would pretend to not know the medium of exchange and would "require" interpreters. This would give them the advantage of having their counterparts think that it is safe for them to say or perhaps reveal things, thinking their guests won't understand them.
Sometimes, when i simply can't be bothered to invest into the conversation, i pretend to be a kid or woefully ignorant of the topics so i would be left alone.
monica ang L
this law is useful because it allows you to make others feel good about themselves and where they stand, make them feel that they already got things in the bag, and make them feel as if they were at a good position and advantage. nonetheless, one must not let acting dumb get in the way of his or her own goals. one must always be aware that he or she needs to succeed at the end of the day. seeming dumb or low to others is an effective way to get things done because people around you will not see you as a threat. acting dumb can make people think that they are better than you. in effect, they can get complacent just as you said. they might let their guard down and not keep an eye on you. when this moment arrives, one must be ready to strike! you must attack them during moments of weakness so that you can easily and quickly get the job done and succeed.
in acting dumb or inferior to others, one must really appear convincing and believable. you don't want people to realize that you are only creating a front because in that case, they could end up playing you without you knowing it. people must really not see you as a threat so that you can do your thing and reach the top.
-Philip Albert T. Verde
Hi18 K
maimai...
play the fool to gain advantage. that's a good one.
i think we could relate this to keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
AnneAndreaLacson
Hi 18 K
Interesting point. Although most people I know rarely apply this law in real life (certainly not a lot of people actually want to be labeled a dimwit), I realize its relevance.
When people see that they are wiser or better than someone else seems to be, they wouldn't really do anything to outshine that person. This ultimately gives him/her an advantage since he/she could be the one to beat that person in the end.
Monica Copuyoc
Hi18-L
Maybe you don't really have to be labeled a dimwit for this law to apply. It just says seem dumber than your mark. Maybe if the person is of high intelligence, you can just seem to be of "normal" intelligence. Just appear to be lower. Don't appear to be a threat. Again, this will lull your enemy into a false sense of security. It's easier to take advantage of your opponent when they're off guard so "playing dumb" will definitely put you at an advantage.
Theresa Rosario Tan
hi18k
Forgive the comparison, but I can't think of a better epitome of this law than Paris Hilton. The heiress looks dumb and acts dumb and makes people believe she's dumb, but if you think about it, maybe she's using this front to make her image sell. She's widely criticized and panned by people, yet the same people keep BUYING the image. From a dumb heiress, she has become million dollar tabloid fodder.
If you think about it, maybe she's smart enough to be able to manipulate people to buy her image of ignorance and stupidity. Oh, and she makes money out of it. Pretty impressive, if you ask me.
Chio Cebrero
Hi 18 L
Hi chio! you know, you've got one interesting point there..and you know what else? Ive seen a tv show before saying the exact same thing about paris. it does seem like she's acting it all out. she acts "dumb" 'because that's what brings money into the table.Its a "cliche" to have "dumb blondes" on TV and she's trying to play on that. I think it's pretty clever.
She's playing dumb to catch the sucker...and who's the sucker? THE WORLD.
Raizza Encinas
Hi18 Section L
I agree with this law, it’s just like saying “attack when they least expect it”. The thing is, you also have to know when to attack. I think timing is a key element in executing this law. You have to know when to stop acting dumb and acting like that smart person that you are.
Mara Liboro
Hi18-K
*and starting acting like that smart person that you are.
Is this the same dumbing down which some girls to catch the attention of boys, so that those guys won't feel challenged or whatsoever? IF it is, then I disagree with this law.
When you play like a sucker, not only would your rival think that you're a lousy slump but also those around you (those that have the potential to be your allies or trade partners). With your image being a sucker, any army could attack you with boldness for they'd think that you're such a joke. Maybe you can lay low but seeming dumber that your mark might be detrimental in areas concerning economy and trade.
Gliza Marasigan
Hi18-L
I have used this tactic unintentionally on my friends (now that I realize it, I do feel bad, because they might have gotten the wrong impression afterwards). I am naturally inquisitive, and now that I look back at it, they could have seen me as "dumb" or "simple-minded". But when I suddenly blurt out things that contradict what they say, they get stumped or surprised because in their subconcsious minds, they don't really see me as a person like that. Of course, I did it unintentionally.
~Sydney Arbilo
HI18-L
Being a know it all can annoy people even if it was not your intention to do so. Consequently they avoid you and you lose the opportunity to actually know their thoughts. I think playing it low allows you to acquire the ideas of people and incorporate them into one strong tactic.
Rhea Entuna
section L
I like this law, because it's less cunning than deception however it still leads to the same effect: power. It's different because it involves you showing complete ineptness regardless of the strength and potential you have inside to conquer your rivals.
Alan Ortiz
HI18 K
It may seem like a stupid idea to play dumber than your opponent. So it may seem. the trick here is actually not to be dumber to your opponent but to make him or her assume that you are dumber. This will again give you the upper hand against them thus giving you the power and eventually the success if you play your cards right. By doing this you make your dumber opponent seem dumber than hi or she actually is.
Richard Hahn
L
I think this rule could be one of the most effective ones proposed by the book. the beauty in it comes from the ability to break your opponents defenses from the inside. it may take some effort to downplay your actual level of intellect but you nevertheless reap what you sow in how you are able to gather information about your opponent which you could soon use against them to get the upper hand.
-Angelo Mendoza, His18-L
“Playing dumb is all about the goal of manipulating the sense of security of others.”
I think this is a perfect summary of this law. I also think another wording for this law is: “Be very, extremely humble – and strike when least expected.” The Trojan War is a great example. Greeks acted like they surrendered and later caught Trojans off-guard
An important thing to remember about this is that you shouldn’t be full of yourself and boast your achievements, but instead make people think they’re more superior to you. Let your pride go.
Chris Macalinao
Hi18 – L
Playing dumb may be effective but this could also turn out the worst. And besides, no one actually wants to be labeled stupid because it coheres to weakness and instability. Especially now in our country where power is crucial, people act smart in order to gain the advantage.
Czarina Kathryne Masagca
Hi18-L
playing dumb is one of those classic moves to lull the enemy into a false sense of security and confidence. if done right, this law will allow you to make the enemy underestimate you, which is always a good thing, since they won't really give it their all when they attack you.. they might not even attack you at all, since it will look as though you aren't even worth the effort.
kristina tan hi18 k
I Think that this book doesn't improve the people and doen't make them better, because alot of the laws are one's without morals or they can only be used in WAR...nothing else, and if there is a competetion, u should win it honorly
If you read the book you will learn the story of the countryboy gold prospectors who fooled the world's "most ruthless financiers" into paying them $700,000 (at the turn of the 20th century) for rights to a worthless property while ruining another individual's reputation and costing everyone else much money.
-Philip Albert T. Verde Hi18 K
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