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Ask HN: Those who read “The 48 Laws of Power”

27 points by 2bor-2n ↗ HN
In the book "The 48 Laws of Power" by Robert Greene, the writer is mostly quoting form history about different techniques people used to get more power and influence.

I am wondering if these laws are still applicable in today's context especially in tech industry. Those who read this book, have you ever applied any law which you learned from the book and found it to be really working.

What's your favorite law? Any suggestions to get most out of tech industry using these laws?

16 comments

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truth_
I haven't read the book, but definitely talked to at least two people who read it and felt that they have fallen victims to some of the methods described in the book.
muzani
A lot of them are still very applicable, such as "never outshine the master" and "concentrate your forces". Not all will be applicable at all times.
qzx_pierri
Be careful reading that book OP. Use those techniques defensively, NOT offensively (if that makes any sense). Following all of those rules literally and religiously requires very little empathy, and viewing other humans as “chess pieces” can affect you down the road.
aristofun
The word “law” is very misleading.

It gives you an illusion of control. That’s why these kind of “secret of success” books are popular, but worth nothing.

In reality there are now “laws” everyone obey, or even rules that gives you stable predictable results.

People are dynamic chaotic systems, they’re not computers.

muzani
I used to read back when I was in college, studying electrical engineering. Someone thought it was an engineering book but the metaphor applies. You can know ohm's law and stuff but it's not enough to build giant robots.

I think the "laws" laid out in the book are more accurate than most, but using it for engineering isn't that simple. You can use it to defuse tension with an egoistic manager or an office bully, but it's not enough to become VP of Google.

mkw2k
I'd say it's worth reading to get a better understanding of how the mind of an asshole operates
quickthrower2
Where did you get that idea?

> A man of power, for example, often has dirty work that has to be done, but for the sake of appearances it is generally preferable to have other people do it for him; friends often do this the best, since their affection for him makes them willing to take chances. Also, if your plans go awry for some reason, you can use a friend as a convenient scapegoat. This “fall of the favorite” was a trick often used by kings and sovereigns: They would let their closest friend at court take the fall for a mistake, since the public would not believe that they would deliberately sacrifice a friend for such a purpose.

Oh

Seriously though I’m reading the preview and finding this all just game of thrones style crap that isn’t useful for modern work.

Or I am not making the connection AND the book doesn’t attempt to help the reader.

There are politics at work but there must be books that talk about that specifically rather than the constant “this man made this weird mistake and was gouged by a thousand swords stuff”

regularperson25
dumb rappers in my home country love this book, and honestly treating this book as a Bible make them look even dumber. Read Kant instead.
2bor-2n
I am wondering why the writer got so famous after publishing this book. He was invited by google at "Talks at Google" as well as Oxford union to give talks and share some experiences
[dead] twirlock
If you're one of these people, everyone around you can tell, and none of them care if something bad happens to you. FYI
bwh2
That book is like reading about dark UX patterns. Maybe they get you ahead, but do you want to be that kind of person?
radu_floricica
I remembered I enjoyed reading it, and also that you get as much from the historical examples as anything else. Yes, worth it.

Is it the best in current corporate world? shrug define best. Not the most recent, definitely. Take Gervais Principle for example.

But you can't learn something big from just one book, and yes, I think it still has a place.

muzani
I feel like a lot of people in the comments have not read the book itself, only summaries and reviews.

The book does not strike me as ruthless and manipulative. It's a history book. It gives you Pattern A, what others have done in response to Pattern A, and a reversal in which this pattern/solution may go wrong. It's probably the least pragmatic of Greene's books. If you're looking for office politics, try 33 Strategies of War.

48 Laws of Power is more suited for highlighting reasons why people might be envious of you, and ways to look humble. It's suited for stress management and realizing things are not as out of control as you think. You'll not get this from any infographics though.

octygen
Ditto all of the above. The book doesn't ask anybody to take all the rules and apply them daily at an extreme. It doesn't ask the reader to remove their free thought. It's more "think about these things as you go through life" and you'll inevitably achieve more power.
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iAm25626
I like the preface part of the book.

Law 27: Play on People's Need to Believe to Create a Cult like Following

It explain a few things for me.

For those read the book this podcast goes into more detail from the author's perspective.

https://fs.blog/knowledge-project/robert-greene/