Robert Greene on Chapter 1, The 50th Law

[polymath7]

Robert Greene is still alive?

He must be what, well over four hundred years old.

Don't think the world ha forgotten yo shit talkin' 'bout Shakespeare; that "tiger's heart wrapped in player's hide" was in indeed as well able to bombast a verse as the best of you.

Maybe this is a different Robert Greene...

[croydonkidd1]

Someone please explain to me what Robert Greene meant from 0:30 - 0:40 ???? I really don't understand that and need clarification and how it would benifit me if I chose to do so

[Visionary0001]

I absolutely love the infographic visuals that they've included in this series of videos. They're very well designed (probably using CGI), and they do an excellent job of exemplifying the message that Robert Green is conveying.

Well done.

[VirtuoStarEnt]

Never forget Mr. Greene that what is happening to the music business will eventually be the norm in the book publishing industry. If people are OK with pirating music, then they'll do the same with literary works. Adapt.

[VirtuoStarEnt]

Never forget Mr. Greene that what is happening to the music industry will eventually happen to the book publishing industry. If people pirate music, they'll do the same with books. Adapt.

[MeetMagicJones]

48 laws of power, 33 strategies of war, the art of seduction etc Are about communication.Could people be any more idiotic? Why bring god or religion into it?

[omaribarguen]

Robert Greene para mi ha sido uno de los mejores autores tengo sus 4 libros y creanme que he vivido cosas que realmente me han confirmado sus analisis sobre el mundo y este mundo y no entiendo porque mucha gente apesar de haberlos leido se cierra ciegamente a la realidad a la verdad de las cosas

[bertha272]

por favor, subtitulos para este video, mil gracias.

Colombia.

[Tmanning29]

I love all his books.  I used to be naive but now reading his books I can truly see the world as it is and not the way my irrational emotions wants it to be. I can truly say that Robert is my mentor.

[115breno]

@Tmanning29 true that

[1jilu]

I know kids who are tougher then Mr50

infact word on the streets is

50 is a for a lack of a better word a Coward and Snitch

[HardTimesHardBodies]

Seriously, great videos! This is like a TED talk.

[damthatriver09]

but what use is this book if everyone reads it and becomes incredibly knowledgeable about power? then wouldn't everyone be applying the same strategies against each other

[AdaptiveMentoring]

@damthatriver09 This is such a great question, and a central one behind the creation of the Mastering The 48 Laws of Power Apps we’ve designed. We'’ll address this question directly (and indirectly) on the official site once we launch, but as kind of primer, consider what would happen if you had a community full of blackbelts in karate. Would you expect more fighting, less, or no fighting at all to occur?

[1staffpro]

@AdaptiveMentoring

Some people hear/read about power but don't know how to use it or get face to face with there enemy and freeze up. Only the knowledgeable use these tactics in business. Not only the street because in reality it's all the same getting to the top....

[PiercingTruth]

@AdaptiveMentoring good example also, but if everybody was a black belt, it would'nt be the highest belt anymore

[115breno]

@PiercingTruth black belts can go up to 10th dan

[PiercingTruth]

@115breno ya but if everybody was a black belt in karate, then they have to start kung fu :D

[davidgsr2k]

@damthatriver09 I would say no, knowledge is useless with out action..most Americans and people alike lack this motivation and accept the easy way out which does not improve but settles.

[SpekStarz]

@damthatriver09 The height of power isn't control over others or your environment...it is control over yourself...to be free of the inhibitions you have been programmed with by society and the media, to structure your life the way you see fit. My advice to everyone with these fears; acquiring power is only part of your life experience, seek further knowledge, power is not the be all and end all...broaden your mind, the more you know and are able to apply to your life, the better.

[damthatriver09]

@SpekStarz I thank you for the time and effort put into this response. I agree with what you are saying and it seems like the more effective way to utilize this book.

[bleacherbum102]

@damthatriver09 Just because a person knows the laws doesn't mean they have what it take to becoming a succes in the world of business.. Think of this way.. You may know the ins and outs of how to hit a fastball in baseball but to stand at the plate in the majors puts what you know to task.. It's always differnt levels to what can be applied once you've gotten the nessary information.. Out of 10 readers not everyone will interpt or even understand how to use it in a real life situation..

[kthapar01]

@damthatriver09 Some people are just more effective than others.

[dirtydeedsdone]

@damthatriver09 Reality is that most people are not aware of how to truly use those laws. Nor are people comfortable enough to utilize them fully.

[fuckem13]

@damthatriver09 in fact I concider this statement incorrect, because yes, we do learn about the same concepts of power but have you conciderd PERSONALITY TRAITS that make us different? in psychology you may follow a certaine decipline but the APPLICABILITY varies with each person. A community full of black belts... but none will end up fighting the same mechanical tactic.

[damthatriver09]

@fuckem13 damn, your spelling is horrible. That's a sure sign that you did not read or comprehend the material in this book.

[fuckem13]

@damthatriver09 ahh... you felt attacked... let me play a sad violin song for you...

leave your defense mechanisms aside and accept criticism.

[damthatriver09]

@fuckem13 Hey what are you talking about? You should go to school more often. 

[fuckem13]

@damthatriver09 haha... who needs schooling? you are the one who does not understands.

i'm a psychologist, i live in mexico... my english is not perfect... but i try...

p.s. i love robert greenes books and in fact they helped me alot with my vocabulary.

[damthatriver09]

@fuckem13 I highly doubt you learned anything from the book. Why am I even responding to a retard from mexico?

[kano8506]

@damthatriver09 reading is very diffrent than applying, not every one has the ability too aply what they read into practical appliction. most people just read an forget about it, the wise ones actauly apply what they read into there life.

[damthatriver09]

@kano8506 Honestly, lots of it is based on genetics. You would have to be financially strong or have dominant male genes to apply these rules effectively. Short guys won't get anything out from reading these books.

[kano8506]

@damthatriver09 maybe, lol sucks for short guys, wait im 5,9 is that short lol

[YurAllStupid]

@damthatriver09 Everyone won't get it. Other people will call it bullshit and not peruse it and the rest have never heard of it. Example: There's a chick that reads from the 48 laws book on her youtube channel. She doesn't understand what she's reading, and when she's done, she relays her stupid interpretation to other people. Like a disease. There would only be a small percentage of people using the books lessons effectively.

[damthatriver09]

@YurAllStupid Very small percentage indeed. You'd have to have parents who are already in a strong political position. Look at that CEO who were fired from yahoo recently, she got disowned because she was a female.

[YurAllStupid]

@damthatriver09 One of the main points of the book is that ANYONE can apply these laws. So, having powerful or rich parents is besides the point. And I'm not too sure what point you're making about the yahoo CEO. I'm not too familiar with that incident.

[115breno]

@damthatriver09 the thing is, in reality, even if everyone reads it. hardly anyone will use it. It takes time and effort to develop these skills, and people are lazy and have small attention spans. They will simply get bored and move on to the next thing that they think will get them what they want with no effort. Marketers rely on this fact to keep charging for the same shit over and over, they just rehash it, repackage it and give it a new name, but its all the same shit.

[coolgreek84]

@damthatriver09 .. obviousely yes, however the aforementioned will not happen since 90% of the population do not have a desire or the mindset to learn. That's like saying, "But what if everyone desired to make 10 million per year?" Stop right there because most people simply dont have the desire no the willpower. The same goes for the acquisition of knowledge

[coolgreek84]

@coolgreek84 nor the willpower***********

[Michaelcorleone71]

KEEP IT UP ROBERT!

Don´t Listen to Weak Jealous People;

[stali28]

This book helped me recognize in a unfiltered way how this country really gained and substained its power,and it also help me recognize a "smiling serpent" lol

[ilovepalestineee]

@stali28 explain further.

[stali28]

@ilovepalestineee Well basically the book gives examples on how the powerful disguise there true intentions.

[ilovepalestineee]

@stali28 and how has this new found knowledge enriched your life? I have ordered the book but I am eager to know :)

[stali28]

@ilovepalestineee for me personally it helped me gain confidence in the work place because of the historical examples they give throughout the book....you just gotta say to yourself ..."if this person (50) can make seemily terrible situation turn into a gold mine,I can do good at this meeting tonight"

[SorenK1987]

I love the infograhpics

[workingclasssociety]

crack cocaine was trafficked in by none other than the CIA and our Government.

[LordBifford]

Greene says you must be an intense realist to succeed in life. Trouble is, everyone thinks they're realists. People may admit that they are ignorant or lack certain technical skills, but few will accept that they are irrational and stupid (and those that do typically do so as non-serious humor).

The real question is what mental exercises you should force upon yourself to make yourself more rational.

[unworld]

@LordBifford Mental Exercise = Alchemy

[ColdGripHandle]

I think Robert Greene is a genius how he is able to draw things out.

[jlbarg1234546]

I have read all his book and not pretending to make judgements of which one is the best (all of them are very good) I personaly would say that the 50 law is his master piece. That is life, is pure realism reflected in each of the historical examples given and not given in the book. We can not adopt a blind perspective towards history.

[in2mobile]

What I here this guy talking about is the "American way". Individualism is what makes America, America. An American author is going to view the world from an Americans point of view. The pursuit of wealth, power and prestige, is what fuels the world. When was the last time you heard someone tell there kid to make it their goal to be selfless and to put others needs before their own? Christ Jesus, taught this, not the world. I'm not saying this is right, but it is the truth.

[TimeGod12]

What does Robert have to say about the fact that his books promote Individualism over Collectivism, selfishness over selflessness, hatred over love, making enemy out of everyone over friend, dividing people rather than uniting them ?

Robert's books promote everything negative about mankind as if it should be made normal.

[AdaptiveMentoring]

@TimeGod12, thanks for your comment. We do not speak for Greene, but apparently he gets an email such as yours on a daily basis. In our experience, we have yet to meet a reader who did not have similar thoughts and feelings the first time reading Greene’s books. They are shocking and counter to many notions of correctness. The biggest concern we have heard is not that they, themselves, will adopt any of the behaviors that you list, but rather what impact the book could have on those around them.

[pedanpontif]

@TimeGod12 Robert tells it like it is. This is a world where big fish eat little fish. Be brave, but don't go looking for trouble. It's about building the skills you need to survive and thrive. He doesn't say to kill anybody. However, if you have to get rid of somebody, he tells you how to do it and keep your hands clean. And if they couldn't see it coming, then it's natural selection my friend.

[BorsodFace]

@TimeGod12 interesting view, but I think Robert isn't promoting nothing negative. a lot of people IS greedy, IS selfish and IS shady. he and 50 just teach you to see things how they are and show you what to do if you want to be successful.

[SIRHENNY1]

@TimeGod12 Yea thats the business industry for you.

[OctoBox]

@TimeGod12 -- I can't speak for Greene, but the "leaders" he loves to study were not "individualists" (each of them were collectivists and rose to power by a collective movement). Collectivism IS the corporate structure, in each case there is a dictator, first line generals (VPs) and so on.

Individualism pushes the power quotient out to "each" individual -- no form of "gov't" can produce individualism nor any ballot-box movement, nor a rebellion of arms.

[ColdGripHandle]

@TimeGod12 His book says " Beware oft the passive aggressive type who try to cunningly use morale etc...to get leverage because they are basically in the competition for power as well in this power hungry world:"

So I guess thats you

[ColdGripHandle]

@TimeGod12 Also I don't think he is :promoting" anything except his book. Reality promotes itself. You can be delusional and live in a fantasy world or you can look at life the way it is. And when you tell it how it is rather than how you want, wish or think it suppose to be then you are the one who is blind.

[TimeGod12]

@ColdGripHandle Thanks for attacking people who actually care about the well being of this world and try to do some good. I wonder if your assumptions about me brought alot of peace to you.

We already have so much insanity, war, hatred, misery in this world but to promote all these things by media, books is terrible.

[ColdGripHandle]

@TimeGod12 You assume the contents of the book is a promotion I disagree I say its reality. The book itself needs promotion of course for commercial reasons.

We all wish this were a better world where love is champion , peace and harmony.

But its not. You yourself admit we have misery , war, hatred etc... So don't you think that at some point ppl are going to have to find a way to cope with this reality?

Why attack this book when you can attack those who really are causing the world dooom?

[ColdGripHandle]

@TimeGod12 This book has nothing to do with none of your comments. You need to read it before you speak.

The greatest problem with the world , since you are on that, is people don't communicate well because no one listens well.

Even the good book say 'All men are sinners' and that doesn't mean you treat them bad it means that you don't expect them to be angeles either.

This book only deals with the harsh realities of life. Uninhibited , unrepressed reality

We have to be accountable to the facts

[TimeGod12]

@ColdGripHandle I am not attacking anyone. I am just "questioning".

Many naive, young people can turn out to be selfish, arrogant fools if they become indoctrinated with the ideas of warmongers and people who say nonsense like warmongering is normal.

Alfred Kinsey first promoted the nonsense that American men are perverts and women should give up chastity before marriage.

And look how many people were influenced with that stupidity.

America has 50% divorce rate & pandemic of teen pregnants

[ColdGripHandle]

@TimeGod12 I understand where you are coming from America is just a little trash can full of evil. But sometimes its best to put slippers on your feet than try and carpet the entire world. The biggest illusion of our society is that people tend to live by virtue of a reality that do not exist. You may wish you can take in a Katrina evacuee and do the right thing but what happens when u end up getting killed for your kindness? If you are truly a godly person then u better see to it u survive

[LordBifford]

@TimeGod12 A lot of the historical figures Greene espouses were not selfish bastards but moral crusaders, like Mao brought Communism to China and Luther started the Reformation in Europe. He talks about how Louis XIV kept his country peaceful and united in the aftermath of civil war by humbling the nobility. He talks about how Athens maintained social harmony by ruthlessly exiling troublemakers, rather than trying to rehabilitate them. Greene's advice can be used for good as well as evil.

[2krayzie4u]

@LordBifford man fuck you nigger

[stali28]

@TimeGod12 all the words u used to describe this book are EXACTLY the nature of mankind

[TimeGod12]

@stali28 I beg to differ about your assumption on the nature of mankind.

History has shown that many men have done courageous, noble, good acts for the progress of their society and even sacrifice their own lives so that their children could live to see another day.

If human nature was really bad then the Founding fathers of the constitution would have promoted anarchy and war instead of peace and stability and the Constitution.

[stali28]

@TimeGod12 The founding fathers put the constitution together while owning slaves so it was still some greed and power mixed in with there intentions,and if they promoted flat out anarchy and war it would have never have succeeded...like the law says "conceal your intentions" and that exactly what the founding fathers did...sure mankind has noble acts but the truth is power is gained usually by the opposite actions.

[BorsodFace]

@TimeGod12 I get what you say and you have a point. but how I see his views is like, the world is ALREADY selfish. when you go out and want to achieve something, you WILL face selfishness especially in business. and he teaches you HOW TO achieve things in this world.

[M0D0FETT]

@TimeGod12 I love this comment. It's delightful; because what you fail to realize is that these "negative" qualities are the status quo, and that the only way an individual can thrive is by being selfish. Collectivism is the weak man's illusion. You may want for everything to be fair, you may want equality for everyone, but that's not the reality of life on our world.

[intestinomedicino]

@TimeGod12 Even if he is doing that, only an idiot would follow blindly ideas from other person, the beauty of having a human brain is that you can decide whether you follow someone or something, if one chooses to say that it was a book, movie or a song that made you act like a zombie then one should add cowardliness to the idiocy since, you are the one that make the choices. If you know someone like that trust me nothing that you say or do will change that, since its genetic so read and learn.

[pedanpontif]

@TimeGod12 You're the kind of person that Robert Greene warned us about in all his books! :)

[TheNetHasEyes1]

@TimeGod12 But that's life my friend....Most people are out to fuck you over

[jackson7201]

@TheNetHasEyes1 you got that right!

[HybridD91]

@TimeGod12 You act like those things aren't normal?

[SolidRaider6]

Being a realist is hard, because I can't stop day dreaming about nude chicks. 

[RationalistExMuslim]

Many, many thanks for the videos.

Robert Greene is a genius. I could relate to every one of his '48 laws of power' in my own life.

[dwaynedibbly]

greene is such an ivory tower philosopher what does he know (experientially) about anything he writes about? He just seems like a lil kid who never grew out of playing war games.

[AdaptiveMentoring]

Great question dwaynedibbly! Thanks. Youve touched upon one of the amazing things about Greenes work. Future videos will address your comments more fully, but for now understand that he is not writing about GREENES Laws, or GREENES Strategies, etc. He allows the weight of historical wisdom to form into patterns from massive amounts of research. Having met Greene, I can assure you hes no ivory tower philosopher: he rejected that path after his university experience, and worked instead.

[neorade]

@dwaynedibbly Careful with your expect ions! Great philosophers think differently than most others in their generation One can learn about power though history. All of Green's points are based on principles that are backed by historical examples and can be seen all over the world today. Despite your exception, maybe all the great thinkers we know about were "lil kids who never grew out of playing war games."

[dwaynedibbly]

@neorade Well as it goes I have a degree in philosophy. The thing which made me veer away from it somewhat (though still very much call myself a philosopher) is that many of the great thinkers had very erudite philosophies on life but didn't live them out.

That's why I've been interested in the scientific method of late as it includes philosophizing within the method but only as a precursor to testing the hypothesis in the real world.

[sjnsingh1]

@dwaynedibbly, exactly, what true intellectual has a "favourite strategist"

[68916010]

@sjnsingh1 Napoleon's favourite strategist was Alaxander the Great, many people have favourites they follow such as Miyamoto Musashi or Sun Tzu, Marcus Aurelias or Machiavelli. What the heck is a "true intellectual" anyway. Let me guess; you think you are a "true intellectual"? If I could piss on you right now I would enjoy it

[LordBifford]

@dwaynedibbly Greene worked in Hollywood and the music biz, two very cutthroat worlds where he could see a lot of stuff happening. Also, the fact that this guy has managed to become a very successful and well-connected author shows he knows something about strategy himself.

[Racheltaylordiva]

Thanks for posting!

[Ontologistics]

Weak

[chaseverdi]

Chapter 3 please!!!

[670Kiester]

Uber dog eat dog

err..I can't wait....that'll bring out the best in people I'm sure

[lyricalswords]

This is great.

[stealthartist]

where can i get the videos for the other chapter

[407greg]

@stealthartist From Gregory Antwone Alexander. he's a Author thats working on his next project with Robert

[yourmajezty]

love it

[EmpressJudge13]

This is very well-done! I love robert greene

[eklectik4]

Great Production, Excellent Visuals, not to mention the fact that you are profiling my favorite author. Damn this is as good as the History Channel!! Keep it Comin

[SYBRGRN]

Hello:

Thank You for posting these excellent videos.

[therealmaestro]

Again, a very nice video.

Looking forward to the rest.