Robert Greene and Magic - Vol 1

[Steerpike]

This is an idea I've been sitting on for a while, and want to work on over the next few months. For those not in the know, Robert Greene is an American author who has written three books on the dynamics of strategy and sociopolitical manipulation. His three books (The 48 Laws of Power, The Art of Seduction, and The 33 Strategies of War) read as manifestos reverse engineering the tactics and actions of great historical figures both good and evil and what led to their respective successes.

The books all have a detached, amoral tone that invites the reader to consider the ethical impact of every strategy or law and whether or not it meshes with their personal moral compass. This naturally has made Greene something of a polarizing figure with people either hailing him as a genius or a crook.

However it has always been my belief that controversy begets deeper thought. To that effect, I'll be putting up random tidbits from his books in discussion threads like this one irregularly (read: whenever I feel like it). A brief explanation will be given and discussion is open from there in how we can take this idea and apply it to our hobby/trade as magicians.

Let us begin.


Law 34 - Be Royal In Your Own Fashion: Act Like a King To Be Treated Like a King

This comes from The 48 Laws of Power and it's all about selling yourself. Do you think any one of the presidents of the United States became that way without first deciding that he deserved the title? Success comes from the anticipation of success, the feeling that you deserve to be rewarded for your work.

If you act intelligent, poised and confident, then it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy as other people will believe this about you as well. Eventually that confidence will be internalized and you'll find yourself able to gain the support for your endeavors because you believe and thus others will believe in your imminent success. It's something of a feedback loop of security.

No matter how outrageous a request, it seems plausible if you can say it with a straight face and conviction. But there is another side to it.

In The 48 Laws of Power, Robert Greene puts forth the assertion that what truly killed the monarchy in France was no violent uprising against tyranny, but the incompetence and affectations of one man: Louis-Phillipe who was commissioned to wear the French crown after Charles X abdicated.

Louis-Phillipe never acted like a king though. He dressed like a bourgeois and spent more time associating and socializing with bankers and wealthy businessmen than with the aristocracy and his ministers. To the people of France, it was an insult to have a leader who didn't act like one. When his incompetence and false affectations grew to be too much for the French, they rebelled. Before the order to abdicate could reach the king, he'd already fled for England with no successor or regent appointed to govern in his stead.

The argument is that the key to a royal demeanor lies in great expectations, ambition, and dignity in the face of adversity. Franklin Roosevelt, Haile Selassie, and Alfred Hitchcock were all men who faced incredible challenges in their respective fields but had nerves of steel and always remained cool and dignified when under pressure or attack. It made people gravitate toward them as leaders, people with answers to a crisis and who would not give in to circumstances or enemies.

Now... how can you make use of this as a magician?

 

[Chase]

Steepike, just when I write you off again as a total bully a$$h0!& you go and post something awesome.

I'm going to write some immediate thoughts/reactions, then maybe come back later after some thought and make some more reasoned arguments.

First, I'm reminded of some advice I got from a screenwriter friend who says never to go to a pitch meeting dressed as a business man. Let the executives you are pitching to wear the suits. YOU are not a suit. You are an artist, and these "Suits" are all harboring high hopes of finding the next great "artist" they can exploit. It behooves you to play the part of the artist. This should not be interpreted as "behave unprofessionally", but your appearance and demeanor should suggest some of the eccentricity that "suits" expect from an artist. Behaving as an artist can go a long way in getting you hired as an artist.
I think this is valuable advice for a magician in many (not all) instances. Many clients will expect a magician to be a little... well... offbeat. NOT socially inept, unkempt, or reeking of body oder, but an artist/performer of the unexplainable. This is also applicable to your audience.

Second, a danger of this assertion is all the a$$clowns who will misinterpret what "Royal Behavior" translates to as a magician. I'm reminded of a lounge singer I saw a couple of years ago who, while only mildly talented, schmoozed the audience as if he were Sinatra. He believed that acting like a "Star" would make him a star. In reality he was behaving like a douchebag which made him into an enormous douchebag. If you want to apply this idea you must make very judicious decisions about what behaviors will lead to a positive feedback loop.

I believe it's also important to define WHY you want the power that this "law" could potentially bring. This is an important question considering Greene's amoral stance. Men are NOT amoral. Your motivations can determine whether your "Royal Demeanor" is perceived as expectation, ambition, and dignity or as unrealistically demanding, egotistical, and aloof.

 

[dragon521]

As for what it means, well on the surface it simply means that we are what we project. As magicians, being confident and projecting an aura of confidence gives you a big advantage before you even perform any effects. Without words you're telling the psectators that you know what you're doing. But I'd argue that it's not only about projecting confidence. If you're really a good, intimate performer, one that really connects with your audience, you can project darkness or light-heartedness as well. I'll have to think about any deeper applications.

 

[jonraiker]

Delighted to see we have the same taste in books. I will be reading - and probably bookmarking - every one of these threads.

 

[Steerpike]

Second, a danger of this assertion is all the a$$clowns who will misinterpret what "Royal Behavior" translates to as a magician. I'm reminded of a lounge singer I saw a couple of years ago who, while only mildly talented, schmoozed the audience as if he were Sinatra. He believed that acting like a "Star" would make him a star. In reality he was behaving like a douchebag which made him into an enormous douchebag. If you want to apply this idea you must make very judicious decisions about what behaviors will lead to a positive feedback loop.

Hence the importance of dignity in your demeanor. Arrogance communicates insecurity. Confidence communicates the opposite.

I believe it's also important to define WHY you want the power that this "law" could potentially bring. This is an important question considering Greene's amoral stance. Men are NOT amoral.

That depends on whether you believe people are inherently good or inherently evil.

 

[Flyspazz]

Steerpike, I think both you and Chase nailed it. I would add that sooner or later one will be unable to "pretend" any longer and will be called on the carpet and have to prove it.

Also, while I agree that Mr. Greene does have an amoral stance in this writing and most men are moral, I find that different work environments carry different battle grounds. However big or small they may be. Depending on what your goals are, if you not in the fight your not moving forward.

All of this is subject to so many factors and much can and has been said about Greenes writings. In general, I tend to like the mans work. I dont agree with everything but thats like most others.

 

[Steerpike]

I would add that sooner or later one will be unable to "pretend" any longer and will be called on the carpet and have to prove it.

Of course, the clever among us can delay that as long as need be through some deft maneuvering.

All of this is subject to so many factors and much can and has been said about Greenes writings. In general, I tend to like the mans work. I dont agree with everything but thats like most others.

My belief is that people are fundamentally good, but some of the techniques he describes in his books are the work of the aberrations. And if you don't have the heart to use them, you must remember that you may very well encounter someone who does. Better to be prepared than get blindsided.