Okay.

I read Art of Seduction. I really liked it and I thought it was pretty good book. Despite its sort of evil undertone for manipulation it was pretty good and honest book. I sort of have the opinion that it should be renamed the art of love.. because i believe seduction is love and when you put all that time and work into a long term seduction you become attatched because it was hard work.

I recently baught 48 laws of power. I did not read the whole thing yet. I have read a lot but not all of it. I have to say that I do not like this book as much. Although the historical stories are awsome I find the ethics in this book to be pretty bad. This book dives into the manipulation even more and is quiet frankly a little disturbing and weird. I just want to say especially to the younger kids on the forum that do not take this book seriously. Although it does have some good information in it that is true.. a lot of it is pretty fuckin ridiculous.

for example

Law 7: Get Others to do the work for you, but always take the credit

This is the worst advice i have ever read. If you start practicing this kind of morality and conduct all you are going to do is create enemies and piss off people in higher positions than you.

as I read somewhere else in a review this book should be re-named "How to get fired in a hurry"

try this shit at work and see what happens.

In the end I believe that this book preys on the people who are vulnerable to the belief that there is some secret way of getting to the top and its a dark secret. like a sith lord from starwars or something and this book is the answer.

Practice these negative manipulation fake persona tactics and you will probably dig yourself in a deep hole.

practice the art of being a good positive person that creates genuine relationships with people and you will get somewhere.


as I said before some of the things in this book are great and there is good advice

but how about the law "learn to keep people dependent on you"

give me a break


i would love to hear other peoples thoughts. agree/disagree dont matter

Can you give some examples of good things from it as well? I haven't read it, but I've heard a few people say it's good and from what you're saying I can't imagine why.

_________________
"The 'Brick Walls' are there to allow you to prove how badly you want something!" ~ Randy Pausch

~ Rye

Here is an example of a Law that I find useful and not so unethical as some others are

Law 4: Always Say Less Than Necessary

When you are trying to impress people with words, the more you say, the more common you appear, and the less in control. Even if you are saying something banal, it will seem original if you make it vague, open-ended and sphinxlike. Powerful people impress and intimidate by saying less. The more you say, the more likely you are to say something foolish.


this goes back to what style always said in The Game.

"a rich man doesn't need to say he's rich"

This is good information and it is true I think. However again, the book emphasizes the philosophy too much that the best way to gain power is to use everyone in your path for selfish reasons...

in my little, but very real experience, the best way to gain power is through a selfless and positive attitude..

just as emotions are contagious so is positivity and selflessness.. give and thou shall receive. You help others and they will help you.. (usually)

i believe you do good..and you receive good.

karma baby

again though.. the historical aspects of this book are fun and interesting reads.. I still have yet to read the whole book.

I like that one. I try to use it, but fail a lot, because I'm very verbose and open. I see it less as trying to seem intelligent and not common, but more as the fact that the more you say, the more chance there is for you to miss-step somewhere. When you're having a conversation, it is a bad idea to talk for a long time without getting at least a confirmation that they are on the same page, because you may say something they HATE and just keep on going and dig your own grave without realising it until you're already long buried and the grass has grown over.

Ever watched a tv show, where there is a couple in a relationship and one person says something like "It's over" or "Let's end this" when they're having an argument and then the other person let's all this stuff out about how they really should break up, often with tons of stuff that can't be taken back. Of course after they admit to all sorts of things they wouldn't have without having thought the relationship was over, the other person says, "I meant 'let's end the argument...'" but it's too late.

_________________
"The 'Brick Walls' are there to allow you to prove how badly you want something!" ~ Randy Pausch

~ Rye