MALICIA AS A GAME OF POWER (10/28/24)

Welcome to MALICIA AS A GAME OF POWER. This blog series aims to delve deep into the realm of Strategy. Throughout the series, we will explore various aspects of dealing with certain people, offering insights on effective communication, conflict resolution, and building meaningful connections. Additionally, we will provide valuable tips on avoiding scammers, protecting oneself from online fraud, and maintaining a secure online presence.

Navigating the world we live in can be challenging. In this series, we will share practical guidance on making informed decisions, embracing opportunities, and overcoming obstacles on the path to success. Whether it’s negotiation, identifying manipulation, or honing leadership skills, this series will equip you with the knowledge to thrive in interpersonal dynamics and strategic decision-making. We will also explore personal branding, self-presentation, and managing online reputation, empowering you to craft a compelling image in today’s digital world. Join us as we unravel the complexities of power dynamics and relations, arming you with the expertise to emerge victorious in your pursuits.

In this installment, we will explore the 12th law of power in the book, the 48 laws of power by Robert Greene. You can but a copy by clicking HERE.

One sincere move will cover over a dozen dishonest ones, creating a profound impact that can reshape perceptions and build trust in a world often marred by deceit. In a society where skepticism reigns, honesty can bring down the guard of suspicious people, fostering an atmosphere where genuine connections can form in the most unexpected circumstances. This powerful act of sincerity opens doors to authentic relationships, encouraging individuals to share their vulnerabilities and experiences without fear of judgment. When you approach others with transparency and integrity, you not only open their shield with honesty but also set a precedent that encourages reciprocal openness, creating an environment where they feel safe to lower their defenses. As people begin to feel valued and understood, the foundation of mutual respect solidifies, enabling deeper discussions and collaborative efforts that can lead to greater understanding and compassion among individuals.

Once that barrier is removed, it becomes possible to engage in deeper conversations or, in a more manipulative sense, to deceive. This strategic use of vulnerability and truth invites a complexity in interactions that can ultimately lead to either strengthens or undermines relationships, depending on the intent behind the initial honest gesture. The rawness of shared experiences can create a profound sense of connection, fostering empathy and understanding between individuals. However, this openness also carries the risk of exploitation; when someone presents themselves as vulnerable, it can be an invitation for others to take advantage of their honesty. Furthermore, the dynamics at play often hinge on the context and the history of the relationship, making each interaction unique. As individuals navigate these intricacies, the potential for miscommunication increases, adding another layer to the already delicate dance of human connection. Ultimately, the balance struck between authenticity and manipulation shapes the very foundation of trust and connection in interpersonal relationships.

The 12th Law of Power, Through the Eyes of an Angoleiro: A Study in Strategic Obliquity

—–Part I: The Law According to Power

Robert Greene’s 12th Law is an instruction in sophisticated deception. It dictates that to truly manipulate someone, a continuous pattern of deceit is often less effective than strategic, momentary honesty and calculated acts of generosity.

The Core Principle:

• Selective Honesty: A single, genuine act of truthfulness—especially one that seems to go against your own self-interest—builds immense trust. It creates the illusion that you are a person of integrity, lowering the target’s guard for the inevitable larger deception that follows.
• Calculated Generosity: A sudden, unexpected gift or favor is an investment. It not only establishes a sense of obligation (the universal human desire to reciprocate) but also paints the manipulator as benevolent and non-threatening.
• The Disarming Effect: The combination of these two elements dissolves suspicion. The “victim” (or opponent) is blinded by the veneer of goodwill and openness, making them psychologically and emotionally vulnerable to the actual strategic move.

—–Part II: The Angoleiro’s Interpretation: The Roda as a Laboratory of Strategy

The Angoleiro operates within the roda (the Capoeira circle) where the movements are slow, low to the ground, and deeply rooted in Malandro (trickster) strategy. Unlike the rapid, acrobatic movements of Capoeira Regional, Angola is a protracted game of mental and physical chess. The 12th Law, therefore, is not about outright manipulation, but about Strategic Obliquity—achieving an objective indirectly.1. Selective Honesty: The Ginga as a Truthful Facade

In Capoeira Angola, Ginga is the foundational, rhythmic swaying movement. It is the Angoleiro’s dialogue with the space and the opponent.

• The Honest Reveal: The Angoleiro might intentionally present a vulnerability—a slight overcommitment to a movement, a momentarily exposed flank, or a predictable rhythm. This is a form of selective honesty. It says, “Look, I am flawed; I am predictable in this moment.”
• The Disarming Effect: This “honest” reveal is a bait. The opponent, seeing an opening, is drawn in and speeds up their attack. The Angoleiro has truthfully shown them a possible action, but the true intent lies in the reversal or counter-attack that the opponent’s reaction enables. The honesty of the bait disarms the opponent’s caution, causing them to abandon their own strategic patience.

2. Calculated Generosity: The Offer of Space and Time

Generosity in the roda is often expressed as the deliberate offering of space or time.

• The “Generous” Movement: An Angoleiro may perform a slow, beautiful, almost theatrical movement (floreio) or hold a position that appears to concede ground, giving the opponent ample time to respond. This is the calculated favor. It is a “gift” of initiative.
• The Strategic Obligation: The opponent feels compelled to accept this gift by attacking or making a move. However, the generous posture is not a retreat; it is a meticulously crafted trap. The seemingly slow movement is a highly unstable equilibrium, allowing the Angoleiro to execute a lightning-fast transition (chapa, rasteira, or cabeçada) the moment the opponent commits to the attack. The generosity forces a commitment that is then exploited.

Part III: The Philosophical Convergence

The application of the 12th Law by the Angoleiro transcends mere manipulation; it speaks to the deeper philosophical foundations of Capoeira Angola.

Greene’s Law of Power	Angoleiro’s Strategy (in the Roda)	Underlying Principle
Use Selective Honesty	Feigning Vulnerability (The Bait)	Control is achieved by directing the opponent’s perception of reality.
Generosity to Disarm	Offering Initiative/Space (The Trap)	The quickest way to defeat a patient opponent is to force them into impatience.
Goal: Long-Term Control	Goal: Mastering the Flow of the Game	The true power is not in the strike, but in the opponent’s reaction to your action.

Ultimately, the 12th Law, when interpreted through the profound philosophical lens of an Angoleiro—a practitioner of the traditional and foundational style of Capoeira Angola—transcends a simple directive. It crystallizes into a practical lesson in malandragem, which is far more than mere street smarts; it is the art of the cultivated trickster, the strategic rogue who operates in the nuanced space between overt action and veiled intent.

This principle is fundamentally not about the vulgarity of outright lying, but rather about the sophisticated presentation of a perceived truth that is meticulously crafted to serve a larger, overarching strategic falsehood or deception. The Angoleiro, in the execution of their game, consciously employs the inherent aesthetic qualities of Capoeira Angola—its striking beauty, its deliberate slowness, and the deceptive aura of apparent openness and vulnerability. These characteristics are not weaknesses; they are the bait.
By inviting the opponent into a false sense of security, the Angoleiro seduces them into a fatal strategic miscalculation. The slow, grounded movements, the seemingly unguarded stances, and the theatrical flourishes of the dance are all part of an elaborate psychological ruse. This masterful control of perception ensures that the true source of power, the decisive counter-movement, remains completely obscured. Power, in this context, does not arrive from a predictable, direct confrontation. Instead, like the sudden and devastating rabo de arraia (the whip-like stingray kick, a hallmark of Capoeira Angola), it manifests from an unseen angle and materializes at the most unexpected, surgically precise moment, completely dismantling the opponent’s strategy and position. The 12th Law, therefore, is the code of the strategic illusionist, where the dance is the mask and the rhythm is the countdown to an unforeseen consequence.