The charm of superheroes largely lies in their abilities to perform gargantuan amounts of tasks with preposterous levels of difficulty effortlessly. Had they been cursed with a daily routine of going to the gym to maintain their strength and physique, then they would have been just another body builder. They are all naturals of the art of being super, and they never tell anyone about how they do it, save for their significant others and other obscure cases. And if further examined, it is in the exposure of their secrets and alter egos that their demise begins to be orchestrated.
John Lennon is a superhero who never spilled his secrets that even his stupidity is considered a genius. In My Life, considered to be the world’s most everlasting pop song, has always been widely credited to John Lennon’s supreme whiz, and yet, much of its magic in arrangement are done with the aid of studio production double-tracking, half-step, half-speed recording. The last track in Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band entitled A Day in the Life is said to be the pinnacle of the Beatles’ brilliance, mostly, of course, credited to John Lennon. Nevertheless, unknown to most of their listeners, the song is mostly arranged by their producer, George Martin, and the band spent no less than 28 takes on the song. John Lennon never blew these to the press during his time. In fact, much to everyone’s displeasure, John, during the late 70’s post-Beatle era, even denounced the geniuses of the songs, renouncing that they’re all “rubbish” and mere “childishness.”
As dreamers, we choose to believe in superheroes and be amazed by the unbelievable. Superheroes keep secrets in order to keep us bedazzled, and keep them as our heroes. But if we never know for ourselves how to save ourselves or how to do things, then we remain stupid. A man who relies on someone else to save himself, will never be saved for long. Is it then worth holding back secrets for the sake of power?
Rafael Sobrepena
Hi-18K
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29 comments:
Well, realistically, I definitely wouldn't leave a single inkling of my emotions seen. Weakness is a trait that shouldn't be placed on the table, but neither should your real strength. A blank face sends a confusing signal to your opponent, which could further intensify his/her confusion. At that point, you can just strike hard and beat the crap out of him by all means. :D What do you think?
Chua Rojas, Serica
HI 18 -L
I'd keep it a secret, to answer your question. I guess another premise that we'd have to add to this strategy is to expect failure sometimes, and also to be ready for it, and put up a blank, neutral front rather than an arrogant one, because arrogance may be a little easier to see through and destroy than facelessness.
Peep Warren
Hi18-L
I'd rather bluff it out to my opponents. If you reveal everything to them, they'll eventually just use that against you to topple you down. In every way, it's always a plus to add a mystery to whatever you're doing because it keeps your opponent from hitting you hard in your core.
Rhea Entuna
HI18-L
I'd rather bluff it out to my opponents. If you reveal everything to them, they'll eventually just use that against you to topple you down. In every way, it's always a plus to add a mystery to whatever you're doing because it keeps your opponent from hitting you hard in your core.
Rhea Entuna
HI18-L
the important, non-verbal part of the law states that one should never show weakness -- never show the chink in the armor, never expose the underbelly. the less your opponent knows about you, the better. you are more of a problem that way and, as a result, more dangerous.
however, with this law, people become more difficult to figure out -- a corollary involving how to read people who sport a poker face should be written.
kyra ballesteros
hi18-K
So how to counter these kinds of opponents? Keeping aware that they are out only to captivate, fool or control you seems the best solution. Watch and counter.
However, this can make us look unnatural in our movements as paranoia takes its toll. I think the best way is to let your opponents do their moves while you maintain your composure and do your own moves. In a sense, you are fooling them with grace and composure.
Kinda like playing chess with natural elegance. :D
Dylan Valerio
Hi18L
this law is pretty tricky. when you think about it, of course you'll marvel at someone who can do everything with no problems whatsoever. but after awhile, it gets old. everyone likes to see a struggle every now and then. it makes the "hero" easier to relate to... more human. and when that "hero" fails, people will just say: well, if he couldn't do it, it really must've been impossible, then leave it at that. as compared to someone who never shows that they're having a difficult time. people will build them up as if they're gods. then when they crash, they crash HARD.
i guess it's a risk that you have to be willing to take... that person must be someone capable of really really REALLY great things...
Isabella Ocampo Hi18K
"as compared to someone who never shows that they're having a difficult time. people will build them up as if they're gods. then when they crash, they crash HARD."
So self-made gods do have a weakness. Making oneself look more like genius in all aspects become more than humiliated when they fail. Especially more when their heads become bigger.
Then people must be willing to concede some right? Win some/lose some. Struggle itself is a victory.
Dylan Valerio
Hi18L
So what does this law imply? One should never fail? Or one should never show failure?
As for the intro about superheroes.. aren't they mostly super because of their powers? I mean, if Superman had to go to the gym, I think people would still respect coz, well, he is very strong and he can fly. So what if he has to go to the gym? It doesn't lessen his abilities.
As for Batman, he doesn't seem to have difficulty in doing what he does. But then, he's shown as the bad guy, at times.
I agree with D that at times, people should win some and lose some. At least if you lose, you don't lose everything. Like Isabella said, if you're so great, then suddenly you fail, that would be quite a blow.
Theresa Rosario Tan
hi18k
pretending everything for you is so easy can make others envy you, something which can make them hate you if you aren't seen humble or deserving enough. If people constantly think that you are undeserving of whatever you've been getting, they might think you were simply cheating your way - something which will undermine your success.
monica ang L
I agree with your line, "A man who relies on someone else to save himself, will never be saved for long." At some point in our lives, there will be times when the "superheroes" will be busy helping other people or they are also busy solving their own problems. When this time comes, one should be ready to face whatever problem is in front of him by himself.
Also, I believe that it will be better to keep one's superpoweres a secret. One doesn't really have to proclaim to the entire humankind that one is "The One" who will be there to ensure everyone's safety. A real superhero will help, even without the fame of what having super powers produces. With the help of one's extraordinary skills and one's willingness to help discreetly, one would be able to impose one's presence effortlessly.
Tom Manahan
Hi18 - K
i agree with what theresa said in response to your example of superheroes. what makes them superheroes are their powers and extraordinary abilities, things that a normal human being cannot do. even if they go to the gym, people will still marvel at them because they still have their abilities. they will continue doing great things. so i don't think going to the gym will change things...
i'm not too sure about this law because it can work to your disadvantage. okay, at first everything might seem cool and amazing because things seem to be done so effortlessly. but think about it. eventually, people who see someone effortlessly accomplish things will not be happy. they can become jealous or envious because that person is just breezing through things without difficulty or problem. especially if the person watching is someone who is unlucky and always has a hard time doing things, he might want to bring the person with the easy life down. he can easily be the target of many. people will try hard to give you a hard time because they know this is something you seemingly haven't experienced.
-Philip Albert T. Verde
Hi18 K
I noticed that almost everyone thinks of everybody else as their competitors / rivals.
Considering this, i would also keep it as a secret. Revealing my strategies would only help others achieve more than me. I think, being considered as a mysterious person (like the superheroes who never reveal their source of power / strategies) would benefit me in both short and long run.
Hong, Yu Chin
Hi18-K
Teresa,
The law implies that you should never show your secret to your success. Once people find out that you were able to pull a rabbit from your hat because there’s actually another compartment inside, it doesn’t seem as amazing as it was when you were innocent.
Hey, if I found out that Superman was SUPER because he’s an alien from planet Krypton, then he won’t be that super for me anymore. Case in point, Lex Luthor found out that he was indeed, a Kryptonian, he lost his amazement for his ex-friend. He even went to the extreme of trying to kill the guy. Again, if I found Superman going to the gym seven times a week, twelve hours a day, I’d feel sorry for the guy that I’d lose my amazement for him. If he was SUPER effortlessly or at least, I don’t know that he goes to the gym or he’s from Krypton, then that would definitely make me go WOW.
Hey, what if you found out that Batman makes an old man named Alfred do all the dirty work and make all the nifty sh*t, would you still be amazed at him? Yes, to some degree, but not as much as I used to.
Heck, they’re superheroes. Fine. Let’s veer away from the superhero thing ‘cause to a certain degree, they’d always be super, and they’d always have that place in your tiny little heart. Say, if you found out that your dad’s secret to success was that he always wore this lucky underwear every time he feels like having a promotion. Yes, that’s quite amazing. But if it’s your turn to do what he does, say you inherit the business, and you know that he has this lucky underwear. You won’t be as amazed as you were with him. You’d even downplay everything he did for the company because he “cheated” with his lucky underwear which you, being a girl, or being sane at any degree, would not dare to wear.
Hey, people should win some or lose some. That’s not mine to say. I’d never want to lose. Would you want to lose some battles? That’s a loser. I bet you’d never be a Nike endorser. If you don’t tell your secrets and you manage not to lose, then you’d be a god in no time. If you do lose and your secrets get spoiled and you fall from your ivory tower, then you have nothing better to do than to accept it. But you never did ask for it :)
Raf Sobrepena Hi - K
i think making your accomplishments seem effortless will make you look all powerful. this is a hard thing to do, but if you are able to pull this one off correctly, you may be able to establish an image of power for yourself. people will try to be like you, and by being an idol of those people, they are subject to your power of manipulation.
John Kristoffer M. Gomez
hi18 - section L
Scenario:
You and your pals are at the arcade playing Tetris (yes it's still 2009). One of your pals shouts out loud that he gets a high score of 5000. Oblivious to the rest of you, a mysterious stranger creeps up and swipes his card on the Tetris machine. While still holding his beer, he gets a score of 10,000. He then lets out a huge burp and walks back to his table to finish his beer. You and your friends have just wet your pants in awe.
Assuming that this scenario actually happened, the mysterious stranger has demonstrated the importance of execution. Someone who has a potential to do much more is someone to be feared, and to be feared is sometimes more important to be loved in the quest for power.
Denis Flores
Hi 18K
GMA. GMA. GMA. GMA. GMA.
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
She makes everything seem so simple. She gets away with everything. She cheats the election. She makes executive orders that are unconstitutional. She lets her husband and children steal money from the people. She allows the military to torture people. She makes people disappear. She stays in power. She does everything we hate and yet she's still in power.
People hate GMA but they don't do anything about it. The Church teaches us things about morality and social justice yet they are quiet. The judicial branch and the legislative who are supposed to be there to balance the executive seem to be under her (except maybe for a few like the Chief Justice). My point is, everyone seems to hate GMA but she's still there.
HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE!?!?!? it's possible because she got away with the first one. And the second. And the third. And she got away with them effortlessly. After a number of times doing those things she's managed to teach the Filipino people something. Learned helplessness. Why bother try and topple her when she can simply stop you? Try to impeach her? We all know how that can turn out.
You know we can all hate our president, but we must all admire her. She makes everything look so easy... even fooling the country.
Jaime Lizada
Hi18 K
Well realistically speaking, no one would really want to flaunt his/her incapability. But Serica made a good point. A person shouldn't flaunt his strength either. He should keep his opponent guessing as to what his next move would be. Otherwise, he will become too much of a humdrum that all of his efforts would go down the drain in a snap. By being mum about his plans, he would give off an aura of inscrutability; hence, leaving his opponents in speculation.
Monica Copuyoc
Hi18- L
I think one should consider showing a bit of weakness because if you perceive yourself to others as someone all mighty and all powerful what will happen if you can't meet their expectations? No one's perfect; thus, everyone can be subjected to criticisms and failures. At least when you're showing a bit of your weak side, people won't expect too much of you but still maintain the image of you as someone great. Moreover, you can be seen as someone more approachable that way and more human. Superheroes really only exist in the world of make believe.
Teri Marcelo
Hi 18-K
To isabella ocampo: I totally agree on your point that if a hero looks to be too perfect and strong, people get bored of it and as you said, struggles make it more interesting and people can relate to it more. In the context of the sport I play, there was a time, around 2005-2007, when Roger Federer seemed too perfect. No one could touch him and I lost my interest in watching cause he just destroyed everyone he played against. People got bored and so when Nadal came along to threaten him, everyone was on Nadal's side. Now that Nadal's number one in the world, most people want Federer to make a comeback. DEFINITELY making things more interesting. Indeed, when heroes fall, they fall hard. But when they surge back, having failed already, people tend to relate to them more and so, they garner everyone's support. :-)
Haha, i like how in other words, people usually admire what seems to come "natural" for you... It makes them think that you were born that way and though some are cynical of it, destiny will always take its course...Which is why some people seem to admire it when things are done effortlessly, they think its meant to be... This way, you can make them think that you're destined to have power, don't you think?
Gail Lim
Hi 18-K
Anyone who doesn't break a sweat while doing something great should be observed very carefully. Chances are, they're intrinsically gifted at what they do. But sometimes all it takes is the power of seeming to make a statement. It says, "I'm really good. So fear me." And chances are, there will be some bystanders who will cower in fear of this smooth operator.
Smooth and powerful - I bet we'd all like to put that on our resumes.
Joey Palma
Hi18-K
This is a cool law. And it makes a lot of sense. Making your accomplishments seem effortless makes it seem like you're so powerful, wala lang 'yun. It's why people are so much at awe at the great musicians, athletes, actors, etc. Like Michael Jordan, for example. He makes the slam dunks, hang times, circus shots, buzzer beaters seem so effortless that everybody loves him. There were probably a few better players, but nobody played the way he did. Nobody dominated like MJ: so effortlessly. That's why he's so great.
Sam Bautista
Hi18-K
I couldn't agree more with Isabella Ocampo. Indeed, perfection has a certain allure, but perfection is boring, and gets old pretty fast. Also, when something seems to perfect, it's usually too good to be true. People nowadays have a certain sense of reluctance and are not easily swayed by a 100kilowatt smile, chiseled abs, strong arms, and a cape. When imperfections are revealed (assuming they do not outweigh someone's awesomeness), it makes that person more "real" and believable. After all, isn't a "real hero" what we're all looking for? Not some pseudo-superman?
Elise Noelle Anne Lim
Hi18 Section L
To some extent I agree that people may get bored with those who consistently accomplish things effortlessly. But don't we have those people we never get tired of? Those we idolize because of the sheer perfection they seem to embody in the field they are naturally good in. In Ateneo for example, I have to admit that there are people who really impress me, when they balance varsity life, consistency in being DL students, and other extracurricular activities all at once. They never really cease to take away that amazing aspect I see in them, and they always leave me asking, "How do they do it?"
Paolo Banaga
Hi 18-L
The key to this law is how you make it work. Some people are so poor with it that it only backfires to them. It's like they're trying hard to be something that they are not. I remember going to the gym and I see this guy showing no bit of difficulty in lifting a weight twice as his. Eventually he drop the weights and shook his head as if saying "Too heavy for me, shouldn't have tried it."
Lambino, Mikail
L
Making one's accomplishment seem effortless is a definite ardous task. But making it seem hard might give out the wrong impression that a person does not deserve the power that he has. A master supposedly has to always reflect strength and stability. Then again, this isn't always the case, like what the others have said, no one should always emphasize the strengths because it would get boring. The ideas is to impress the people but not show arrogance. Once in a while, we appreciate the flaws and uncertainty of a superhero because it is one way of making them unique.
Czarina Kathryne Masagca
Hi18-L
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