Avinash Patel (week 11): What is the best type of power
According to Erin Eatough in an article on BetterUp, there are different types of power, and many people think of it differently. For example, "Some people see power as something they receive from an external source. This could be an assigned title or position that gives someone control and authority over others". Many believe this because to have power over something there needs to be "something." For instance, for you to have power over a dog, you must have a dog first. So in a way, the dog gives you the power because you would have no power without it. I agree with this statement because it is applied everywhere. For example, if there were no one in the United States, then the President would have no power, if nobody listened to Hitler, he would have no power; if there were no drivers, signal lights would have no power.
However, "Other people believe power is an innate quality that can be cultivated internally and that manifests externally. In this sense, a person's personal power grows as they develop". The individuals who support this argument say that you cannot have power if you are quiet in a corner with no confidence. But if you take control of a situation, you have power. They also say that if you have no internal power, then you will have no external power. I would say that if there is nothing to have power over, how can you have power. I would like to see what you guys think of this in the comments.
Hi Avinash, I read your blog, and I found your take on what determines power to be very insightful. One form of power, power to exert influence and control over others, only works if there are subjects to exert this power on. If abused, this power can prove dangerous, as seen in dictatorships in totalitarian states. However, when exercised correctly, leaders can use this power to benefit both themselves and the subjects.
ReplyDeleteHi Avinash, I think that you brought up a good point, being that any sort of power asserted has a higher power above that as well. This ties back to powers being interconnected with one another, and your blog does a great job displaying that by using examples. I also agree with you when you say that taking control gives you power; if you don't take control, how can anything be done? There is so much power in just words themselves.
ReplyDeleteHi Avinash,
ReplyDeleteThe two points you brought up were interesting, and I would actually say that I agree with both of them. I don't think the two ideas are mutually exclusive—there exists power that can only be exerted over "something," as well as power that exists innately and that is developed internally. But ultimately, what we perceive to be power is a matter of perspective.
Hi Avi,
ReplyDeleteI find the two contrasting viewpoints that you brought up very interesting. I had a similar argument with one of my friends about the impact of other's influence on our lives. Considering the phrase "Do things for yourself, not for others or because someone told you to", what does this really mean? If we take a closer look and break it down, technically everything we do is derived from others or for other people. For example, if someone wants to start a charity, they are doing that to help other people. If someone wanted to play the piano, the music that they are learning is coming from other people. It is interesting to see different takes on various subjects.
I agree that something that can be overpowered must exist in order for power itself to exist. However, this also creates the paradox you mentioned as it gives the thing being overpowered power! It seems that no matter how you see it, power is nothing more than control. Thus, I agree with both of the points you discussed to an extent. There are exceptions to both of them, but they are also equally interesting and insightful.
ReplyDeleteHi Avinash, I found the two perspectives of power you brought up in your blog to be a very interesting take on power. I agree with the first form of power that if you are in a position of power over something, you must have that "something." The second type of power is also a very important one. Without self-confidence and a sense of self-control, people are powerless to make change both to themselves and the world.
ReplyDeleteHi Avinash, this is a quite interesting blog. I agree that it would be difficult to exert power if there is nothing to exert power on, however, power is not something you only exert. power can be confidence, your abilities, your knowledge. In that, I think power can be independent of everything. I think there is a requirement for power, and that is someone to perceive it. If you can perceive your own power, then you need no one else. If not, then it is up to others to give you power.
ReplyDeleteHey Avinash, I believe that exerting power is hands down the most impactful type of power. Like you had said with hitter he had exerted his power over others to kill and take command of Germany eventually exerting his power to kill millions of people because he didn't like them.
ReplyDelete