The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene Law number 32: Play to People's Fantasies
The truth is often avoided because it is ugly and unpleasant.
Never appeal to truth and reality unless you are prepared for the anger that comes from
disenchantment.
Life is so harsh and distressing that people who can manufacture romance or conjure up
fantasy are like oases in the desert: Everyone flocks to them.
There is great power in tapping into the fantasies of the masses.
Such is the power of the fantasies that take root in us, especially in times of scarcity
and decline.
People rarely believe that their problems arise from their own misdeeds and stupidity.
Someone or something out there is to blame—the other, the world, the gods—and so salvation
comes from the outside as well.
To gain power, you must be a source of pleasure for those around you—and pleasure comes
from playing to people's fantasies.
Never promise a gradual improvement through hard work; rather, promise the moon, the great
and sudden transformation, the pot of gold aka the lose-16 pounds-in-a-week diet, the
6 minute abs, the 4 hour workweek, become a millionaire overnight & the congratulations
you're our millionth visitor, you won an iPad-popup.
It appeals to us so much, because the marketers behind these know our fantasies too well.
No disrespect to Tim Ferris, I love this guy...
I will certainly take on his books as well.
Anyways.
1570 Venice lost the valuable island Cyprus to the Turks.
Once one of the wealthiest of places, Venice found itself in poverty.
Thinking of ways to turn the economy around Venice got notice of a man called 'Il Brigadino',
an alchemyst who could turn worthless objects into gold with a secret substance.
This man would be the solution, he was invited to reside in Venice at the expense of the
states treasures.
Il Brigadino would have gold coins clinking in his hands, accompanied by two dogs at all
times.
His palace, the state provided, would have golden plates, golden watches, buttons and
what not.
Everyone was pleased to see this magical man in their neighborhood.
They would buy coal, and books on Alchemy, learning how to do it themselves.
Would not be concerned about the practice, Il Brigadino himself.
The state became impatient, some advicing not to push him over the edge.
So, Il Brigadino gave a demonstration, creating gold dust out of a mineral in his hands for
everyone to see.
After a while, the doubts grew and Il Brigadino explained he could double all the gold right
away, but if they waited for 7 years the gold would multiply many times more.
A part of the city formed an angry mob, choosing not to believe this sorcery anymore, Il Brigadino
stated that they had betrayed him and left Venice, continuing his deception in different
areas living like a noble prince.
What the people had not noticed, of course, was the little tube of glass he had hidden
in his sleeve, that poured the gold dust.
His image, his actions, his bold appearance, the fact that he was wanted by other states
had set Il Brigadinos reputation as a true Alchemyst in stone.
People wanted to believe, so badly, they threw away all rational thoughts and like like little
children believing in the tooth-fairy preferred not to see the truth behind this Charlatan-like
figure.
Here's my perspective: ironically Il Brigadino or by his real name, Cypriot Mamugna, did
know how to turn something into gold, though the gold would only be for himself and the
ingredients were not objects that you can touch with your hands, but people's fantasies
& beliefs.
Does that make him any less of an Alchemist?
What is there more profitable than a persons wishes, dreams and fantasies paired with strong
belief?
Once we choose to believe something; we will stick with it, because we rationalize our
actions.
Not to do so, would be like betraying our own judgment and if we cannot rely on our
past decisions, that would mean facing... confronting the sad and ugly truth.
It would be too painful to admit we have been fooled, we've made bad, wrong, poor decisions,
we've followed a cause led by a fraud, who took our money.
It's too much of a shame.
Sadly, this behaviour, this utter denial and justification of our wrongdoings sticks with
so many people for their entire lives.
Once we choose to pursue our career ladder by traditional means, in slavery, the chain
around our neck being a tie, we come to despise everything else.
We cannot believe in entrepreneurialism being real, being an option, because if it was,
we'd get our hopes up and we're afraid, very afraid of that.
With each year that goes by, we reinforce these ideas, everytime we choose safety we
reinforce fear.
That is it for this law...
Be sure to check out Part II, Reality versus Fantasy as always thank's for watching.