48 Laws of Power

spiraldinosaur · 2023-03-09T15:15:04+00:00

Honestly if you want to understand social dynamics, go and socialise. I really don't think a book like this is going to help you make your life better. It's only going to encourage the very over thinking and analysis which is most likely making socialising difficult for you in the first place. If you want to be able to socialise better, you don't need to understand power dynamics and social dynamics and all of that, you need to stop thinking too much about it and just be in the moment with the people you're with.

baiser_vole · 2023-03-09T14:10:01+00:00

I think it is helpful to read almost anything as long as you keep a critical view of things, rather than to approach it in attempt to learn something.

As for the book in particular, eh... I don't think it really should be taken as a guide, but as a way to understand some people or some actions of people. A potential problem that I see is you trying to be someone who you are not. You will have to realize who you are, and embrace the person you are in a healthy manner before diving deep into such book I think.

If you do not feel powerful, the best advice probably would be to grow a backbone. I actually found an advice given to a woman here that I think would apply to men as well.

https://www.reddit.com/r/exredpill/comments/11m156s/comment/jbfp8o0/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

SweelFor- · 2023-03-09T17:12:07+00:00

If you want to read social psychology, my advice is to read things written by social psychologists.

AssistTemporary8422 · 2023-03-09T18:12:19+00:00

Keep in mind this book isn't based on any research studies to see if these tactics actually work in today's world. They are based on his interpretation of historical figures. I suggest you just read a book summary online and look at opposing perspectives.

incredulitor · 2023-03-09T21:41:56+00:00

That book might give you different ideas on surface-level behaviors, but one thing I can tell you from having read it myself and known a lot of people who have is that it's not going to change the shame you feel. It's not going to change your self-esteem. It's not going to address the fundamental feeling of unworthiness you seem to be expressing in comments like "who I am has to change" or "it must be something about me that I'm getting treated this way".

However true or not those comments are, whatever concrete evidence there is in your life for or against them that we don't necessarily have access to reading this thread, they reflect a consistent negative bias in what sort of reactions you assume other people are having to you and how their behavior reflects on you. If you go into this book with that, there might or might not be valid advice there, but it's going to be filtered through that lens. You might find some way to assert yourself or persuade/coerce/manipulate another person that gets them to, for example, show up to a date you agreed to, and then what? Maybe it works out, maybe it doesn't. Maybe when it doesn't you're left thinking it's still something about you. Maybe it does work out and you're still haunted by the same old thoughts that you're not good enough, there must be something wrong with them, it must be that they're fooling you/playing you/in some other way not representing what would otherwise be credible positive feedback about yourself. What then? What do you do with the ongoing hole of self-esteem that even one or five positive dates still might not fill?

Not asking this rhetorically. I would love to be able to help, while I also understand that it's a deep and sticky problem. How do any of us ever trust that there's anything good, worthy, admirable etc. about ourselves when there's also a feeling lurking about it that maybe others' input fundamentally can't be trusted? I don't have any certain answers, but I hope you get somewhere on it.

anthonyrecenello · 2023-03-09T20:01:33+00:00

Robert Greene is a psychopath, and the original incel.

Wirez30 · 2023-03-10T16:04:28+00:00

@OP Hey Brother, I just had a quick glance/look at some of your replies, and I have to say, Read the book. it wont hurt. If you feel it may help you, read it, because it might. Dont listen to these people putting you down when they dont know your situation. Youre smart enough to know whats moral and immoral, so you should be able to see what teachings from the book you are ok with applying and which are not. believe in yourself, and BE SELFISH. No one cares about you as much as you do, no one is going to help you. and it sounds like you need to be a bit more selfish in what youre doing. Once you see results and can take of yourself, then you can worry about others.

AllTooHuman65 · 2023-03-19T18:04:00+00:00

One argument I've heard about 48Laws is that it can be a guide for recognizing manipulation.

Other criticisms though are that at least today, the Laws only work if 1) you're a social expert, 2) the people you're trying to manipulate are idiots, or 3) both.

There's a great review on Goodreads where the reviewer claims that the kind of people who use this book seriously, are socially stunted weirdos who probably "thinks you owe him a Wookie life debt because he picked up the lunch tab".

MrNeoCortex · 2023-03-10T09:26:11+00:00

Its a good book just read it.

propyl21 · 2023-03-09T14:30:03+00:00

I listened to the audio book. At the end of the day, it's whatever you want it to be. If you desire to gain insight in how to manipulate, then that's what you'll see and gain from it. If you want it for empowerment of the self, that too is applicable. It's why the book is highly touted because it speaks to us.

There are parts that are considered 'amoral' and critics have labelled the book as 'psychobabble' - but that's just how it goes when times change since the book was written. For example the new age of social media has actually made Robert Greene worried that the younger generation will solely look at the book for gaining methods to manipulate, which was not the original intention of the book. Times change.

The book does a great job of keeping each law as a separate entity with examples of historical figures who have successfully used the laws to gain powers be it through moral or immoral/amoral methods.

If I can recommend anything, it would be to also read another book alongside this called King, Warrior, Magician, Lover which talks about archetypes. It will begin to make sense why we choose the paths we do in our lives. Why one person is obsessed with wealth while the next is simply seeking peace within, compared to the next who wants to see the world burn.

2023-03-09T22:04:22+00:00

it seems bad to me... it seems rigid obsessive compulsive disorder - ee

Least_Ring_6411 · 2023-09-28T05:04:48+00:00

I recommend “The Laws of Human Nature” by the same author, Robert Greene. That book will teach you so many fascinating things about human behavior.

Title	48 Laws of Power
Author	Lighthero34
Upvotes	9
Comments	57
Date	March 9, 2023 1:54 PM UTC (3 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/ExRedPill
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/exredpill/comments/11mss0o/48_laws_of_power/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/ExRedPill/48-laws-of-power.1173033 https://theredarchive.com/post/1173033

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