The Desire For Power

The desire for power. Could it ever be a healthy thing?

The question struck my mind in regards to people around me. Especially those with certain titles. "Bosses" in respect to their occupations. Do these people see themselves as "bosses" or do they simply reluctantly apply the title in an effort to perform a job smoothly? Many would say that people enjoy being figures of authority. Some crave it. This has been said about police officers, often in scorn. "Those who were bullies in high school become police officers". However this statement reflects the person saying it more than the actual reality of the statement. People are nervous around police even if they haven't committed a crime. Why so? Well there is so much power in the same room. And it is out of our hands! It wears a uniform and firearm and is the embodiment of the law. We know the consequences of deviance. And those consequences are scary and harsh enough that we may sweat over absolutely nothing.

Some positions in life come with power and that is just how it is. How could a police officer perform the job well without power? No authority? No one would listen and the law would not be enforced. So some positions in life presuppose power and should hold power. This is just how society holds together. We need leaders and we need people in control. But other positions are a little less dependant on authority. Less power-related positions may simply be about "running the ship smoothly". Management roles would fit into this category. A management role is to ensure that whatever task needs to be accomplished is just that-being accomplished. And accomplished well of course. With as little "bumps in the road" as possible.

But i'm getting all tangled up in rhetoric. Let's attack this question "Do people crave power?" And I would say yes they do. But there is an irony in this craving that has been poking at my mind all day.

To crave power is to crave security. It is almost like a barrier against the ego. We want to reach positions of power in life because it's the "safe zone". We dislike being questioned, poked and prodded. Power comes in different forms. Some are healthy forms. To be humble, for example, is in my opinion a position of great power. That is, the control of our own emotions. However, insecurity is a plague for those seeking power.

I want to say that in order for someone to pursue power. They should first pursue humbleness. In fact, I am nothing before I am a writer. I am nothing before I cook. I am nothing before I do anything. I am nothing. Under this attitude I hold no ego. Any ego that may surround me is put on by others. People may like devon reid for various reasons. Friends-for company. Co-workers-for work ethic. Women-for love. etc etc. But that is what I would call "external ego". I do not seek these things. They have come to me through various avenues.

Of course i've struggled for positions of power. Hockey tryouts come to mind. I have sought affirmation of talent. Publishing poetry comes to mind. But over the years i've gained a sort of "love for devon" that is sort of my way of dealing with the inevitable shitfalls in life. Yes, life will throw curve balls. And not everyone is going to like you. Some may downright dislike you. Some may even want to beat the fuck out of you and possibly kill you! It's important to be able to make fun of ourselves.

I know those in positions of authority who don't seem to enjoy when the "jokes on them". Well you are even more of a joke when you can't laugh at yourself. Then we return to the irony of an insecure person seeking power. Nobody will accept your position while you show a degree of insecurity. This is the "wrong kind of power" i'm referring to. So this is the irony. Often those in positions of power are the most insecure in those positions.

There is nothing weaker than someone who cannot take a joke. Or someone who lies and creates a false image.

-dev