4 ms·

The world is run and shaped by "jerks". Whether you like it or not. If we look past 21st century culture and look back upon history... - Caesar (killed/ensla

The world is run and shaped by "jerks". Whether you like it or not. If we look past 21st century culture and look back upon history... - Caesar (killed/enslaved 1 million+ gauls) - Augustus (killed anyone who posed a political threat, killed a lot in general) - Genghis Khan (killed... well, he killed a lot) - Napoleon (got hundreds of thousands of people from every European nation killed) - The list goes on. Name one famous historical figure who had power of some sort who didn't do anything "jerk-like". The problem with the "jerk" definition is that the author nor most people have ever been in a position of great power. He does not understand how difficult and stressful it is to be the CEO of a big company or a top political leader. I believe that in a position of great power, the power holder is forced to do some "jerk-like" things. You gotta make harsh decisions. E.g. if Augustus didn't kill off all his political opponents (including Caesar's supposed only biological son), it is likely Rome will be thrown into more civil war. Every guy has a "jerk" inside of them, and when put into a stressful situation, they are capable of using it.

watwut 6y ago
> I believe that in a position of great power, the power holder is forced to do some "jerk-like" things. You gotta make harsh decisions. One of your examples is Hitler for God's sake. Everybody else eventually bundled to fight him, including second biggest murderer of the time. And no, Hitler did not done what he done because he had no other choice as a powerful man. Seriously. You literally collected the biggest psychopaths and claim "this is how leaders must be". Nope, we as a whole do very well when people like these are under control and don't get power. We really really don't need Hitlers and Napoleons.
ceejayoz 6y ago
> Name one famous historical figure who had power of some sort who didn't do anything "jerk-like". That’s a straw man. Everyone is a jerk sometimes. There have been great people who changed the world without a predominantly jerky reputation. I don’t find much evidence Einstein was considered one, for example. His letter to Marie Curie is a good read. https://www.brainpickings.org/2016/04/19/einstein-curie-letter/ https://www.brainpickings.org/2016/04/19/einstein-curie-lett...
shervinafshar 6y ago
It sound apologetic to me to write their jerkiness to stress and high responsibility of leadership. > Name one famous historical figure who had power of some sort who didn't do anything "jerk-like". Since the list are of kings, I namedrop Marcus Aurelius. Add power and stress to unchecked emotional and psychological deficiencies of the susceptible person of power strong enough to derail their sense of ethics and morality and one comes face to face with a war criminal, a psychopath dictator, or a jerky maverick CEO. Increase or decrease elements to get Caligula or Steve Jobs.

watwut 6y ago

> I believe that in a position of great power, the power holder is forced to do some "jerk-like" things. You gotta make harsh decisions. One of your examples is Hitler for God's sake. Everybody else eventually bundled to fight him, including second biggest murderer of the time. And no, Hitler did not done what he done because he had no other choice as a powerful man. Seriously. You literally collected the biggest psychopaths and claim "this is how leaders must be". Nope, we as a whole do very well when people like these are under control and don't get power. We really really don't need Hitlers and Napoleons.

ceejayoz 6y ago

> Name one famous historical figure who had power of some sort who didn't do anything "jerk-like". That’s a straw man. Everyone is a jerk sometimes. There have been great people who changed the world without a predominantly jerky reputation. I don’t find much evidence Einstein was considered one, for example. His letter to Marie Curie is a good read. https://www.brainpickings.org/2016/04/19/einstein-curie-letter/ https://www.brainpickings.org/2016/04/19/einstein-curie-lett...

shervinafshar 6y ago

It sound apologetic to me to write their jerkiness to stress and high responsibility of leadership. > Name one famous historical figure who had power of some sort who didn't do anything "jerk-like". Since the list are of kings, I namedrop Marcus Aurelius. Add power and stress to unchecked emotional and psychological deficiencies of the susceptible person of power strong enough to derail their sense of ethics and morality and one comes face to face with a war criminal, a psychopath dictator, or a jerky maverick CEO. Increase or decrease elements to get Caligula or Steve Jobs.