Many years ago, Mark Bowden answered that question in a fascinating article about Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. While ostensibly a detailed day-in-the-life portrait, Bowden illustrates many of the paradoxes of power. This paragraph is worth reading in full:
Lest you think this is an edge case in the history of power, know that it is in fact the oldest story in the world. There’s even an ancient myth about it: The Sword of Damocles . We think a king is free… in fact, terror hangs over him.
The point of painting this picture is not to get you to pity the powerful; it’s to get you to ask some important questions about your own ambitions and desires. Are you sure the goals you pursue are what you truly desire? Are you sure you understand what success entails? Are you sure you have defined it properly? Are you sure it will make you happy?
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How To Respond To Circumlocution: Taking Action
- Simply call out the use of extensive words, and demonstrate to the other person that they are in fact saying nothing.
- When a direct question is being non-answered, directly point out the problematic behaviour in the person, by stating that the question hasn’t been answered.
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