The Greater Good
I turned on the TV this afternoon and saw the last 45 minutes of "Saving Private Ryan".
It occurred to me that most of this movie is probably incomprehensible to Comrade Krasnov, who simply can't understand why people would sacrifice themselves for the greater good. To him, there is nothing greater than the fulfillment of his own desires, the accumulation of wealth, the exercise of power in the service of petty grievances, the feeling of nasty satisfaction obtained from being able to destroy an entire nation.
A film like that is no doubt also meaningless to Musk, who is ignorant of American history, oblivious to patriotism, and unable to identify with people who want to help others.
After his life is saved, Private Ryan is advised that he should try to deserve what his comrades did for him, and he takes that to heart, striving to live a righteous life, to be a good man. Krasnov and Musk don't feel obligated to make such an effort; in their minds, they are entitled to have all life on earth sacrificed for them, simply because they have "good genes".
Ancient History
Caligula Appointing His Horse Incitatus to the Consulship, unknown author, 1616–1669. Source: The Art Institute of ChicagoThe Roman emperor Caligula ruled for only four years before he was assassinated. Caligula was hated by the Roman people, and historians hated him, too. The tales of his madness and misdeeds are likely exaggerated, and sometimes invented, just to show what a monster he was.
In any case, it seems true that he was mentally unbalanced. He declared himself a god. He spent a fortune on his palace and put up statues of himself. He forced the Senate to watch him dance in the middle of the night. He passed laws to keep people from looking at his bald spot. He mocked and insulted people. He was also a sadist. Among other things, he sometimes locked up the food supplies so the population would starve. He really made politicians mad when he announced his plan to appoint his horse to the Senate, making it clear that he thought an unqualified beast could do just as good a job as anyone else.
His unpopularity reached its peak, and officers of his own Praetorian Guards conspired to kill him. Led by a man Caligula had mocked for having a squeaky voice, they stabbed him to death and then declared his uncle Claudius the new emperor. That's how they did impeachment in 41 A.D.
To this day, Caligula is remembered as a cruel, narcissistic, depraved tyrant. Unqualified political appointees are sometimes compared to Caligula's horse.
'
Let's Make a Deal
I asked Grok, Elon Musk's AI chatbot, "What are the characteristics of a person who is good at making deals?"
This was the answer.
A person who excels at making deals typically possesses a combination of interpersonal, strategic, and intellectual traits. Here are some key characteristics:
Strong Communication Skills: They articulate ideas clearly, listen actively, and adapt their language to suit their audience. Whether negotiating terms or persuading someone, they know how to convey value effectively.
Emotional Intelligence: They read people well—picking up on cues like tone, body language, or hesitation—and adjust their approach accordingly. Empathy helps them understand the other party’s needs and motivations.
Confidence: They project assurance without arrogance, inspiring trust and credibility. This allows them to hold firm on key points while remaining approachable.
Preparation and Research: They come armed with facts—knowing their own bottom line, the other party’s likely priorities, and the broader context (market trends, competitors, etc.). Knowledge is their leverage.
Adaptability: They think on their feet, pivoting when negotiations shift unexpectedly. Rigid dealmakers lose; flexible ones find win-win solutions.
Patience and Persistence: They don’t rush or buckle under pressure. They’re willing to wait for the right moment or push through resistance to get the best outcome.
Strategic Thinking: They see the big picture—anticipating objections, planning concessions, and knowing when to walk away. Every move serves a purpose.
Persuasiveness: They frame their offers in ways that appeal to the other side’s interests, making it hard to say no. Storytelling or highlighting mutual benefits often plays a role.
Integrity: While they play hard, they don’t burn bridges. A reputation for fairness keeps doors open for future deals.
Resilience: Rejection or setbacks don’t faze them. They learn from losses and come back sharper.
Think of someone like a seasoned entrepreneur or a diplomat—say, a Chris Voss type (the ex-FBI negotiator) or even a fictional Tony Stark. They blend charm, wits, and grit to close the deal. Does that paint the picture you’re looking for?
Can You Translate That, Please?
Some countries have more than one official language, in recognition of languages spoken by indigenous people or different ethnic groups within the country, or because a particular language is seen as useful for communicating with large numbers of people and with representatives of other nations.
There is no requirement that individuals use the official language for personal conversations. For example, French is the official language of France, but when my husband and I traveled there, we spoke English to each other in public (and sometimes to local people, if they spoke English). Nobody yelled "Parlez Français!" at us, and we didn't get arrested or deported. Our experience was similar in Germany, where the official language is German, and in Italy where it is Italian (although I do speak a little Italian, which seemed to please people).
Some countries have ten or more official languages, and may also try to accommodate many additional languages and dialects used by different groups, as well as whatever it is the tourists are speaking.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)