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   %TAKE ADVANTAGE VULNERABILITY DEFENSELESS VICTIM+960302
   %COMPETITIVE EDGE WIN SUCCEED GET AHEAD TOP HEAP+960302
 %ENCOURAGE SECRECY NONRESPONSIVE DECEPTION IMPRESS+960302
    %COERCION MANIPULATION VIOLENCE TERRORISM CRIME 960302

     When  a society puts much emphasis upon  competition,
winning,    success,   getting  ahead,   being   on   top,
achievements,  impressions,  ownership,  and their like---
many members of  the  society are bound to get the message
that it is ultimately important to take advantage of other
people's vulnerability, weaknesses, ignorance, immaturity,
confusion,  naivete, and  child-like-ness.   To the extent
that such a society respects  and  rewards members who get
such  a message and behave  according---to that extent the
society and its members will disintegrate.

     When   competition  is  more  often  respected   that
cooperation few people will cooperate in responding to the
problems  and  dilemmas which confront the  fast  changing
society.   Compulsively competitive people do not want  to
cooperate, and do now know how to cooperate effectively.

     Winning in a competitive atmosphere is always at  the
expense  of  the  losers.    Developing  WIN-WIN  ways  of
approaching   each  other  in  conflicts  does  not   come
naturally  and  occurs  only when  there  are  significant
encouragements the the development of WIN-WIN responses to
dilemmas, problems, and conflicts.

     When  success is measured comparatively  against  the
success  or  failure of others---it is natural that  those
who  are  most determined to succeed do it in  ways  which
reduce the possibility of others succeeding.

     Getting  ahead  creates an image  of  others  getting
behind;    else  what  is one ahead of?     Getting  ahead
certainly  does not suggest an image of traveling together
side  by side in some cooperative venture.   Likewise  for
being  on  top;   on top of whom?   Who  is  offering  the
support from below?    What credit do they get if they are
not on top?

     If  it is impressions which  count---what  difference
does it make how the impressions are achieved?   It is the
best  actor  who makes the best impressions.   Life  is  a
stage and what counts is the drama which is projected; how
people view you,   what they think of you.  Make effective
and  impressive presentations to make the  sale,   impress
others, get ahead, win, succeed.

     If  achievements  are  what are most  important---who
will take time to  be present and listen in a relaxed way.
To  achieve  anything one must be busy doing,    not  just
being. If achievements are what is important---what is the
point of just being true to yourself and others?  One must
be doing---something.

     If  ownership  and  control of  possessions  is  what
counts of what important---can open and honest dialogue be
most important? One must make a choice and one cannot hope
to own  and  control many things and people---while trying
to be engaged in open and honest dialogue.  Be real!

     The  way  to  succeed and get ahead is  to  look  for
people's  points  of vulnerability;   places  where  their
defenses  are  down, and so places where one  can overcome
their  resistance to sales,  change,  initiatives,  taking
over, possessiveness, etc.   We must constantly be looking
for  points  of vulnerability which we can take  advantage
of.

     When we  take  advantage of  people's  vulnerability,
weaknesses, ignorance, immaturity, confusion, naivete, and
child-like-ness---we   thereby   encourage  them   to   be
defensive,  deceptive,  non-responsive,  withdrawn,   non-
cooperative, addictive, codependent, collusive,  etc.  The
individual  advantages gained are paid for  with  personal
and communal disintegration---unto the seventh generation.

     It  is  essential that we seek for and  promote  both
personal and communal integrity---regardless of what  else
we  value  and  affirm.   In  the  absence  of  continuing
personal  and communal integrity and integration no  other
values and ideals are meaningful,  satisfying or the focus
of honest respect.
                                                                                                                               
                         (c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in      
                    (On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy)  
                                                                                                                               
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