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Shills and others argue we deserve disrespect for advocating for ourselves, but it’s actually our failure to do so that has led to this disrespect. When we choose to remain silent or passive in the face of injustice, we inadvertently reinforce the very narratives that belittle our worth.
By not standing up and voicing our concerns, we allow misconceptions and stereotypes to flourish, giving validity to those who dismiss our experiences. It is our responsibility to challenge these perceptions actively and demand the respect we deserve, for only through our advocacy can we begin to change the conversation and empower ourselves and others who share in this struggle. This journey requires courage and persistence, as we must confront not just the surface-level prejudices but also the deep-rooted beliefs that perpetuate inequality.
Every voice matters, and it is crucial that we come together as a united front, sharing our stories and experiences to highlight the realities of our situations. When we exchange our narratives, we not only validate each other but also educate those who may not understand the implications of their ignorance. In doing so, we pave the way for future generations to inherit a more inclusive and understanding society, one where diversity is cherished rather than marginalized. By fostering open dialogues, we create spaces for learning and growth, allowing people from all walks of life to engage with our realities, thus dismantling the walls that separate us.
Welcome to MALICIA AS A GAME OF POWER, a blog series that examines the complexities of strategy in our interactions. We will focus on effective communication, conflict resolution, and building meaningful connections, providing guidance on decision-making and overcoming challenges. The series will cover negotiation, manipulation, leadership skills, personal branding, and online reputation management, equipping you with the tools to navigate power dynamics and succeed in your endeavors. Join us as we explore these crucial topics to help you thrive.
In this installment, we will explore the 17th law of power in the book, the 48 laws of power by Robert Greene. You can but a copy by clicking HERE.
LAW 17: Cultivate an air of unpredictability
Keep people in suspense by being unpredictable; predictability allows others to control you. Inconsistent behavior can exhaust others, leading them to abandon explanations and second-guess their own perceptions of reality. When you keep those around you in a state of uncertainty, it creates an atmosphere charged with tension and intrigue.
This unpredictability can lead to enhanced engagement, as people remain curious about your next move and are less likely to take you for granted. This sense of curiosity can serve as a powerful motivator, driving individuals to invest more time and effort into understanding your intentions and the underlying patterns of your behavior. However, when taken to extremes, this approach can intimidate and instill fear, causing relationships to fray and trust to erode. Prolonged exposure to such unpredictability may leave individuals feeling anxious and unsure, ultimately pushing them away rather than drawing them closer.
Balancing the line between intriguing unpredictability and overwhelming inconsistency is crucial in maintaining healthy interactions while keeping an air of mystery alive. This requires a careful consideration of your actions and their potential impact on others, ensuring that your enigmatic nature does not cross over into detrimental behavior that alienates those around you. Effective communication and transparency can act as a stabilizing force, providing reassurance while still allowing for an element of surprise.
The 17th Law of Power Through the Eyes of an Angoleiro
The intersection of philosophy, strategy, and martial arts offers a rich ground for exploration, particularly when viewing universal laws through the lens of a specific, deeply cultural practice. This essay delves into an interpretation of the “17th Law of Power” – often understood in conventional terms as “Keep Others in Suspended Terror: Cultivate an Air of Unpredictability” – as seen through the perspective of an Angoleiro, a practitioner of Capoeira Angola.
Capoeira Angola is more than just a fight or a dance; it is an embodied philosophy, a game (jogo) played within a circle (roda) that mirrors the complexities of life itself. The Angoleiro operates within an established structure but thrives on the unexpected. The concept of unpredictability, therefore, is not a mere tactic of psychological intimidation but a foundational principle of the jogo and a key to survival, mastery, and strategic dominance.
For the Angoleiro, the 17th Law transforms into: Cultivate Malandragem and the Element of Surprise to Control the Roda.
Malandragem as Cultivated Unpredictability
Malandragem is a complex, untranslatable concept deeply rooted in Brazilian culture and central to Capoeira Angola. It signifies cunning, street smarts, trickery, and a playful, deceptive intelligence. It is the art of navigating the world through wit and improvisation, often turning a perceived disadvantage into a strategic upper hand.
In the roda, the Angoleiro uses malandragem to keep the opponent (o outro) in a state of perpetual uncertainty, a form of “suspended terror.” This is not achieved through brute force or overt aggression, but through:
The Deceptive Slow Pace (The Vadiar): The game often begins slow, low to the ground, with a seemingly lazy, indifferent posture (vadiar). This slowness is a deliberate mask. It invites the opponent to relax their guard, to underestimate the Angoleiro’s readiness, and to commit too early. The sudden, explosive attack (rasteira, cabeçada, or a swift transition to a high kick) that breaks the meditative rhythm is the manifestation of unpredictability.
The Interrogation of the Body: Every movement is an interrogation of the opponent’s intentions. The Angoleiro moves laterally, feints, and offers false openings. This continuous process of “questioning” the opponent’s defenses and emotional state is a method of control. The opponent is paralyzed by having too many possibilities to consider and too little information to trust.
The Mastery of Timing (Tempo): True unpredictability is about choosing the moment (o tempo) perfectly. It is not randomness, but a calculated delay or acceleration. The Angoleiro strikes not when the move is available, but when the opponent is emotionally or physically committed to a wrong assumption. The sudden change in tempo shatters the opponent’s equilibrium, ensuring that their reaction is always a step behind the action.
Strategic Implications in the Roda and Beyond
The 17th Law, when applied via malandragem, provides the Angoleiro with a profound strategic advantage:
Emotional Control: The power lies in maintaining one’s own composure while inducing confusion and doubt in the opponent. The unpredictable person is the one who is emotionally inscrutable. By constantly shifting their game plan—from playful trickery to sudden seriousness—the Angoleiro prevents the opponent from settling into a comfortable, predictable rhythm, thus controlling the emotional temperature of the roda.
The Power of the Unseen Angle: Capoeira Angola is a game of low attacks, evasions, and unexpected reversals. The Angoleiro understands that the most effective technique is often the one that comes from an angle the opponent has not considered. This mirrors the strategic need to constantly innovate and avoid routine in life and leadership, ensuring one is never a fixed target.
A Continuous State of Becoming: The commitment to unpredictability is a commitment to continuous adaptation. A predictable Angoleiro is a defeated Angoleiro. This philosophy translates to a life lesson: true power is fluid, residing not in the possession of any one strong move, but in the infinite potential for the next, unknown move. By never revealing their full, fixed nature, the Angoleiro commands respect, fear, and, most importantly, the psychological upper hand.
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.
Jogo Corpo Fechado 