Sometimes I wonder, how did the Europeans in the time of the Renaissance period effect so much and such great changes?
Was Ghandhi influential to the masses? Was he effective?
How did Toussaint L'Overture get so many slaves to effect a revolt?
How does person "x" become popular? What creates popularity. All these people effected the masses before mass media was around. Interesting.
(this post is under construction, but please input anyway!)
8 comments:
Hi Domino,
Though I understand your point, somehow that last paragraph seem so sad.
But I see what you mean.
Here's how I see it: to influence a significant number of others, you have to first believe unwaveringly in your own message, and be convinced of your own direction.
If you believe strongly in any position (and it doesn't matter the position) you can find others who will follow your lead almost unquestioningly.
I'm reminded of the Charles Manson cult, and the Heaven's Gate religious group. Thirty-nine members of that group took poison in an orchestrated mass suicide.
I'm also reminded of one of my favorite movies--Forrest Gump. The movie is so chock-full of human insight and wisdom that I would have paid twice to see it once.
In that movie Forrest takes off running--at first only to the end of the block, and then only to the city limits, and then only to the county limits--until finally he finds himself at the Pacific Ocean.
When he arrives, he decides that he will turn around and continue running until he reaches the Atlantic.
He makes the trip from coast to coast several times over a period of years.
During his runs people would join him and run behind him. This they did for years.
Finally, Forest decides that he's had enough, that he'll quit running, and he tells his fellow runners this--that he's going home.
They look at him and each other in total disbelief and befuddlement, and ask the classic question that followers who need a leader to give meaning and value to their lives invariably ask: "What are we going to do?"
Many people are drifting through life looking for someone to follow. It doesn't matter where that person takes them as long as he or she seem to know where he or she is going.
@miriam:"...somehow that last paragraph seem so sad."
I deleted my first post to make a minor change. I probably shouldn't have. It's the perfectionist in me.
We all have our challenges.
Sad? Yes. But it has its benefits: followers don't have to take responsibility for themselves.
They don't have to hold themselves accountable for what they think, for what they believe, for what they feel, and how they act.
They don't even have to find a purpose for being, or create a purpose, or establish a life mission.
That's all been decided for them, complements of the person who's convinced of his or her position--who knows his or her own mind.
If things go wrong, they can blame the other fellow. If things go right, they can share in the credit, and accept the accolades that follow whether they deserve them or not.
Domino,
Very interesting!
Wow, it takes a strong willed person. I'm mulling over the idea that the BC needs to get away from all the media blitz.
There are thre great characteristics that all influential people share in common.
1- Strong will. They will sacrifice it all for what they believe
2-Great Charisma. This is very important. People need to feel as if you are one of them. Although, often when someone becomes too influential, they eventually lose sight of how they bacame so in the first place.
3- Knowledge of the cause. They need to really understand what it is they are fighting for or stand for. Once those three things are aligned, it is almost impossible to stop someone from becoming very influential.
Keep in mind that influence doesn't usually yield power or change, but it will definitely give you a place in history.
I think a part of it is when a person is willing to stand by something no matter the consequences. Also, when a person is able to best use the medium of his/her time to tap into the needs of the target audience. Some of it is also knowing how to manipulate a position to one's advantage, as well as having a certain God-given ability to put it all together at the right moment.
Interesting post Miriam. I think all the posters are spot on.
People are always looking for a leader and they will create one where there is none. I have seen this played out very well in Africa. Villagers follow the one with the most education.
They believe the person can lead them to a better life and they will put their lives on the line for you if they believe in you. Its scary.
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