Welcome to MALICIA AS A GAME OF POWER, a blog series that explores the strategies of human interactions, including communication, conflict resolution, negotiation, and manipulation. It discusses leadership, personal branding, and online reputation management, providing practical strategies for influence and relationship-building. Through analysis and examples, the series aims to help readers navigate interpersonal relationships successfully.
In this installment, we will explore the 31st law of power in the book, the 48 laws of power by Robert Greene. You can buy a copy by clicking HERE.
Law 31: Control the opinions: get others to play with the cards you deal
Control the opinions: get others to play with the cards you deal. The best deceptions seem to give the other person a choice, creating an illusion of freedom within a carefully constructed framework. By presenting options, you not only avoid confrontation but also encourage engagement, making them feel involved in the decision-making process.
Each option should be enticing, leading them to believe they are steering the course of events. This strategy ensures that no matter their choice—whether they select option A or option B—you win, as both paths ultimately serve your interests and objectives. Through this method, you can subtly influence their thoughts while maintaining the guise of generosity and independence, making your ultimate control less apparent. By framing the options in a way that appears to prioritize their preferences or desires, you enhance their engagement and investment in the process. In doing so, you create an illusion of freedom and choice, which can foster a deeper emotional connection to the decisions they are making.
This psychological manipulation allows you to guide them toward a conclusion that aligns perfectly with your goals while they remain blissfully unaware of the underlying orchestration at play. Through various techniques and strategies, you can subtly introduce thoughts and ideas that seem to stem from their own reflections, thus reinforcing their sense of independence. Ultimately, it is a delicate balance of persuasion and influence, where you orchestrate their journey while appearing as a facilitator of their autonomy. By skillfully crafting your words and employing an array of social cues, you not only lead them to their destination but also cultivate a profound sense of trust and rapport, making the entire process appear natural and organic, as if they were always meant to reach this particular conclusion on their own. As they traverse this path, the intricate web of your influence remains hidden, allowing them to feel empowered, even as you gently steer their thoughts and decisions.
The 31st law of power, through the eyes of an Angoleiro:
In the intricate, often veiled, world of Capoeira Angola, the ancient and profound Brazilian art form, the concepts of power, strategy, and self-preservation are not merely academic—they are embodied, lived, and danced. The “Angoleiro,” a practitioner of Capoeira Angola, views the conventional laws of power not through the lens of a courtroom or boardroom, but through the crucible of the roda—the circle where the game is played, the history is remembered, and the deepest secrets are exchanged.
The 31st law, often interpreted in a general sense as “Control the Options: Get Others to Play with the Cards You Deal,” takes on a specific, visceral meaning for the Angoleiro. It is the mastery of controlling the rhythm, space, and emotional climate of the roda to guide the opponent toward a predetermined vulnerability.The Application in the Roda
For the Angoleiro, this law is practiced through:
1. The Control of Tempo and Ginga:
The ginga, the foundational sway or movement, is the Angoleiro’s primary tool for dealing the cards. It is deliberately slow, low, and deceptive. By controlling the tempo (the speed and rhythm set by the berimbau and the ensemble), the Angoleiro dictates the pace of the encounter. A slow tempo forces the opponent to also move slowly, limiting their high-impact, fast-strike options. This creates a psychological pressure that encourages the opponent to break character and rush, thus making a predictable mistake.
2. The Use of Malícia (Malignancy/Cunning):
Malícia is the intelligence of deception. The Angoleiro doesn’t force a move; they lure it. By leaving a perceived opening—a slightly raised hand, a momentarily exposed flank, or a seemingly precarious balance—they offer a ‘bait’ option. The opponent, seeing an easy win, commits to this option. However, this is the very card the Angoleiro has dealt. The moment the opponent executes the predictable attack, the Angoleiro is already executing the contra-ataque (counter-attack), utilizing the opponent’s committed momentum against them.
3. Mastering the Art of Chamar (Calling/Inviting):
To control the options, one must first invite the interaction. Chamar is the act of gently or playfully drawing the opponent in, often through non-aggressive, exploratory movements or eye contact. It is a verbal and non-verbal agreement to play a certain way. By initiating the conversation, the Angoleiro establishes the theme of the game—whether it will be a high-risk, acrobatic match or a low-to-the-ground, strategic encounter. The opponent who accepts the chamar has tacitly agreed to the set of rules, or “cards,” offered by the Angoleiro.
The Philosophic Corollary: Paciência (Patience)
The power of controlling options is fundamentally rooted in paciência. A true Angoleiro understands that rushing to an advantage is the quickest way to lose control. The 31st law, when interpreted by an Angoleiro, becomes: “Wait for the perfect moment to present the onlyoption the opponent is willing to take, and then be ready to negate it.” It is not about overwhelming the opponent with choices, but about narrowing their perception until only one path seems viable—a path that leads directly into the Angoleiro’s strategic trap.
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