Jaiganesh Nagarajan - Week 9 - The Power We Hold
Power is highly perspective. An idea that dictates the lives of many people whether it be directly or indirectly. The most common form of power is usually seen in the form of legitimate power or government rule. Power can be gained through many ways. You can earn power from working through positions such as in a workplace. You can also inherit power from someone in your family or have it bestowed upon you. Each type of power has its own dynamic, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The following image shows the different types of power.
These dynamics can be used to achieve an end goal, to negotiate status, and to make a hierarchy in an environment. This power can easily be abused though. When given power with no restriction, many will begin to use their power to either help themselves or to help others. The first option is the most likely to happen however. An unhealthy environment is often caused by an abuse of power. The abuse of power can disrupt the dynamic of the hierarchy. For instance, imagine a thriving ecosystem. When an invasive species is introduced into the ecosystem, the environmental hierarchy is disrupted. The invasive organism will overtake the other species in the same trophic stage and eventually will cause the ecosystem to fail. In the same sense, when someone gets the sense that they should use their power to their advantage, it topples the entire social environment or work environment.
Overall, the power we hold is very easily abused but can also be useful when used in the right situation.
Hi Jaiganesh. I was very interested in the multiple perspectives you detailed in this blog post about power. I agree with your ideas on the inconsistency of power, and how quickly one can lose power. I think that power can be seen as a mental and physical state. The example you discussed about an invasive species relates to physical power in an environment. However, I think there can also be mental power that is created in the way one acts and thinks. If someone is confident in their capabilities, then they have power over their mind. Having power over one’s mind is essential because no bad thoughts or negative comments can infiltrate the mental peace. This is a very powerful spiritual technique since mental power is controlled by our mind, and no one can give it to us or take it away.
ReplyDeletePhysical power, on the other hand, can be changed by other people. Because of its reliance on others, physical power can be dangerous. If we get too attached to physical power, we can get frustrated when someone takes it away. Similarly, losing a job can cause one to feel the loss of power.
Therefore, it is best for people to rely on mental power to maintain their state of happiness. While physical power can be pleasant, it is more important to base our happiness on something we can control. I agree with your statement about abusing power. I think physical power can definitely be abused very easily, and it is much better to not be attached to it.
Hi Jaiganesh, I like your unique view on how there are different types of power. I would like to focus on the two examples you mentioned in the beginning: some people earn power through positions in the workplace while others may inherit it. I think that those who start off from humble beginnings and work their way to power typically use their position for the good of others and do not abuse it. This is because they understand how it is to be at the bottom of the “food chain” and are able to sympathize with those people once they’re in power. For example, in the movie Hercules, Hercules lived as a mortal and had a normal childhood. As he trained and got more powerful, he used his power to save the world because he could sympathize with humans and felt like they mattered. On the other hand, those who are born into power are more likely to abuse it and exploit it because they have never had to experience how it is like to live without power. They are less likely to understand the privilege they are given and therefore, do not care to use their power to help others. In the same movie, Hades was a god his entire life and always wanted more power than he had. In order to gain ultimate power, he tried to destroy the world and rule it. This lack of awareness of others and selfish qualities are most prevalent in those that inherited power.
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