Our navigability in the world is heavily dependent on our
real or perceived “legitimacy” …
le·git·i·ma·cy
1.
conformity to the law or to rules.
2.
ability to be defended with logic or
justification; validity.
Legitimacy is strongly associated with AGENCY:
“In
social science, agency is the
capacity of individuals to act independently and to make their own free
choices. By contrast, ... factors of
influence (such as social class, religion, gender, ethnicity, ability, customs,
etc.) [may] determine or limit an agent and his or her decisions.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agency_(sociology)
“Agency” is enhanced by a strong underpinning of
“legitimacy” and “legitimacy” is enhanced by a strong underpinning of
“agency”. Thus, the ability of an
individual “ … to act independently and
to make their own free choices … “ depends on the “legitimacy” of those
choices.
RESPECT is a closely related attribute or character-istic
... generally reserved for those who “conform to the rules”, who can be “defended
with justification”, and who courageously act independently with a high degree
of AGENCY to advance civilization.
INTEGRITY is a closely aligned attribute ... a behavioral
character-istic consistent with the highest values and principles of
civilization.
Why does this matter?
First, as noted at the outset, navigability in the universe
heavily depends on these collective attributes.
More importantly, however, the loss of any one of these
attributes – and certainly the loss of ALL of them – yields a loss of one’s ever-tenuous
grip on life and living in almost any context.
From such losses, there is often no acceptable escape:
“… Too late, my time
has come
Sends shivers down my spine, body's aching all the time
Goodbye, everybody, I've got to go
Gotta leave you all behind and face the truth
Mama, ooh, I don't want to die …”
Sends shivers down my spine, body's aching all the time
Goodbye, everybody, I've got to go
Gotta leave you all behind and face the truth
Mama, ooh, I don't want to die …”
Bohemian Rhapsody
Conversely, no matter how deprived of life’s amenities one
may be, retention of personal integrity or “respectability” is often ALL that
matters.
A grave account was given of an
interview with a convicted murderer who had shot a college coed point blank in
the head. The interviewer persisted in
asking “WHY?” What had started out as a
simple theft had ended in a horrendous and completely unnecessary loss of
life.
“She showed me no respect,” he said.
[Really?!]
I couldn’t help wondering: Respect on what basis? Because he was a male? Because he had a gun? Because he was bigger than she was? Because he was co-opting legitimacy and
presumptively acting – illegitimately – as the “authority” figure in the
exchange and she wouldn‘t buy it?
Those without bona
fide legitimacy (through which to gain at least the perception of respect)
will try to co-opt it by inducement of fear.
In sports, those with a weak offense can only hope to mount a withering
defense (ref., Rick Pitino).
However, in most other fields of endeavor, the inducement of
fear and application of withering defenses (aka “Black Belt Winning Strategies” or “Who have you licked lately?”) are very short-term winning strategies.
Sustainable navigation – at least in the 21st Century –
involves cooperation, collaboration, alliances, affiliation and negotiation; the world has gotten too
complicated for Lone Rangers shooting from the hip seeking to rearrange the
world in their own image on their own terms.
In fact, very few people want to deal with a bully, and
don’t want one on their team. They’re
not going to go out of their way to accommodate a power-grubbing,
win-at-all-cost, my-way-or-the-highway despot.
Legitimacy lives on a two-way street where all parties,
truth, “right-reckoning” and civilized engagement are valued.
Still, in all, the attraction of illegitimate engagement
runs deep – especially after important doors have closed for legitimate
engagement concerning desired or expected outcomes – or for perceived
entitlements not otherwisely bestowed.
Literature, both ancient and current, is replete with examples of
proverbial Faustian bargains:
“A Faustian
bargain is a deal with the
devil, a pact with Satan, an agreement that allows you to have anything you've
ever wanted – including youth, wealth, fame, talent/skill, knowledge and/or
power. In exchange … , all you have to
do is hand your soul over to the devil for eternity.” http://study.com/academy/lesson/faustian-bargain-definition-lesson-quiz.html
Importantly, Legitimacy/Agency/Respect is gained by conferral
from others not by coercive acquisition.
And just being “different” … like garnering the most tattoos … does not
give one “commanding authority”. [Yes,
you dared to be different, but to what purposeful end and for what greater good?] In addition, simply wearing a Superman cape
or underwear or a New England Patriots jersey does not necessarily confer legitimacy/agency
or respect. (Why would you wear
something with someone else’s name or insignia on it other than to portray
yourself as something or someone you are not – which is, essentially, an
illegitimate act!?!)
So, back to our original assertion: Exactly HOW does
“legitimacy” support “navigation of the universe”?
Very simply, legitimacy provides ACCESS to the best
people and opportunities civilization has to offer.
Of course, one will quickly note that POWER and MONEY can easily
– in fact, far TOO easily – “buy” access without legitimacy. Such is its own Faustian bargain, relegating
the players to shadows of conscience and shallows of contrivance and only
temporary gain. Here, an alt-“Golden
Rule” is espoused:
Golden Rule – Alt Version
“He who has the GOLD makes the RULES!”
Curiously, the man with the gold will invest ONLY in one who
has legitimacy/integrity. Without
THAT ONE, there is no more gold!
Build LEGITIMACY! Be a
dependable, accountable, respectable quality producer with “agency” and
integrity. Quartermaster
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