The End of Homo Sapiens Across time, wars have become responsible for less deaths. Sugar has become more dangerous than gunpowder. Whereas in ancient agricultural societies human violence caused about 15 per cent of all deaths, during the twentieth century violence caused only 5 per cent of deaths, and in the early twenty-first century it … Read more
Victory is gained not by the number killed but by the number frightened. Arab proverb Terrorists are born out of feelings of weakness and despair, and a conviction that the cause they stand for is worth the damage. A world where the powerful seem large and invulnerable, this kind of strategy becomes more appealing, in … Read more
It is not an enemy who taunts me–then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me–then I could hide from him. But it is you, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend……. My companion stretched out his hand against his friends, he violated his covenant. His speech was smoother … Read more
War can only be fought against an enemy who exposes himself. Infilitrate into your opponents’ ranks to accumulate valuable information – their weaknesses and schemes. Hide your hostile intentions, to take what you want, you cannot fight those who have it, but you must join them – either slowly make it your own or wait … Read more
Communication Strategies Communication is a type of war. You can trick some people by disguising your great ideas in ordinary form. Others, who are more resistant and dull need extreme language that is new. Avoid static language, don’t be preachy and overly personal. Your words should spark action, not passive contemplation. Alfred Hitchcock Hitchcock’s style … Read more
Never seem to ambitious, you will stir up resentment. Gradually take small bites, and before anyone knows it, you will have acquired an empire. It may seem that people are aggressive, given our history of never-ending conflict and war. But this is not true. Aggression is the exception to the norm; most people are conservative … Read more
The One-Upmanship Strategy Life is war against the malice of men. BALTASAR GRACIAN, 160158 Make your rivals hang themselves with their own self-destructive tendencies. The Art of One-Upmanship Your enemies are not only external, they are internal – they also close to you, they are your colleagues and rivals. Fighting on both fronts is exhausting, … Read more
When Napoleon tried to invade Russia, he was sure it was going to be an easy victory. In the past, his predictions had been accurate. But this time, things did not go so well. The Russian Czar, Alexander, had come to know Napoleon before the invasion, he knew that the French general was very aggressive, … Read more
Luther Martin Luther attacked the Catholic’s church by creating a law of morals against the pope. He criticized the lavish lifestyles of those who headed the church, and the extraordinary power they were given. He argued that the Bible had no justification for this behavior, and that the Catholic church was not a spiritual organization, … Read more
People expect you to conform to old patterns of behavior, which is why you never should. Instead, keep doing things they don’t expect. An unorthodox strategy that may have worked before should not always be used. Sometimes, an orthodox strategy is the most unexpected, and consequently, the most effective. Make a false move, not to … Read more