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To clarify, you recognize the existence and significance of other dynamics in human relations, but you just find them far less interesting? This seems alright,

To clarify, you recognize the existence and significance of other dynamics in human relations, but you just find them far less interesting? This seems alright, as I can't fault you too much for what you find interesting. But this does directly contradict your earlier statement: "Basically every personal behavior is a manifestation of power dynamics." It would probably save you some trouble if you would have said the other thing from the outset :) Edit: Regarding complaints, I think by definition they are going to be about some form of human conflict! Textbook selection bias. It doesn't directly tell us anything about other human interactions.

nostrademons 9y ago
Yeah. Except I don't find anything contradictory around the idea that people can cooperate to achieve common interests, AND there can be power dynamics at play within the cooperation. Few ventures concern just one issue: it's possible to both feel that the venture as a whole is highly beneficial for both of you, while being non-aligned on specific points within the venture. Mutual cooperation can govern the relationship as a whole, while power dynamics come into play for certain situations within the relationship. Think of a startup taking venture capital: you both want the startup to succeed, and the startup is much more likely to succeed if it has money than if it doesn't. However, the investor may want you to spend that money quickly to grab market share, while the founder may want to shore up customer satisfaction first. You can do both, but they can't both be the #1 priority. Which activity takes precedence? That's dependent on the relative power dynamics between founder and investor, notably things like board control, personal relationships, trust, need for future financing, existing revenue, etc.
- dwaltrip 9y ago
  Fair enough, although interactions that occur in the professional sphere are only one slice of human life. It does seem likely that slice has a higher prevalence of power dynamics. I think interactions with family and friends are significantly less characterized by such dynamics. Also, in both broad categories, I would imagine there is rather high variance in the extent and particularities of the power dynamics.

nostrademons 9y ago

Yeah. Except I don't find anything contradictory around the idea that people can cooperate to achieve common interests, AND there can be power dynamics at play within the cooperation. Few ventures concern just one issue: it's possible to both feel that the venture as a whole is highly beneficial for both of you, while being non-aligned on specific points within the venture. Mutual cooperation can govern the relationship as a whole, while power dynamics come into play for certain situations within the relationship. Think of a startup taking venture capital: you both want the startup to succeed, and the startup is much more likely to succeed if it has money than if it doesn't. However, the investor may want you to spend that money quickly to grab market share, while the founder may want to shore up customer satisfaction first. You can do both, but they can't both be the #1 priority. Which activity takes precedence? That's dependent on the relative power dynamics between founder and investor, notably things like board control, personal relationships, trust, need for future financing, existing revenue, etc.

dwaltrip 9y ago
Fair enough, although interactions that occur in the professional sphere are only one slice of human life. It does seem likely that slice has a higher prevalence of power dynamics. I think interactions with family and friends are significantly less characterized by such dynamics. Also, in both broad categories, I would imagine there is rather high variance in the extent and particularities of the power dynamics.