Men want to obtain value and preserve value.
Same is true in the social context:
When interacting with the world — you want to OBTAIN VALUE and PRESERVE VALUE.
How do we go about it?
By some time in our lives we develop some default STRATEGY:
—one which usually errs on the side of caution regarding unknown scenarios
—but is generally compensated by innate desire for acquisition of more VALUE, when it is viewed as rather safe
Now, that strategy can obviously be skewed in any direction — extreme risk avoidance, or extreme risk taking…
…except the XXI century the risks are absolutely MINIMAL.
Therefore the LOGICAL STRATEGY would be to be a SOCIAL MAXIMALIST.
SOCIAL MAXIMALIST =
-aggressive MINGLING
–wide network of associates
+leveraging the modern networking and communication tools
Alas a “logical” , CONSCIOUS strategy is extremely rare in aspects of human endeavor which are so strongly driven by:
1) EVOLUTIONARY WIRING
2) SOCIAL CONDITIONING
Evolutionary wiring makes it very hard for us to become social risk-takers
Because in a dangerous wild — stranger could as well mean friend as they could mean threat. Potentially mortal.
And modern social conditioning ironically makes us LESS socially expansive:
-de-socialization of many human endeavors
-de-tribalization and globalization, without adequate adaptation
–confused social hierarchies and value systems
-passive media consumerism supplanting real world first-hand experience: therefore supplanting that which is real (truth) with that which is unreal (shallow, reductive representations or even outright lies)
Yes the irony,
We are human and social creatures but also innately asocial, shy, awkward.
And we live in the times of global connectivity — but we’re more disconnected than ever.
This is obviously a problem.
It’s a big problem. Which means it should be high on your list of priorities.
Social capital, social resources — are not lesser to other forms of capital, resources, power
One must compensate,
One must follow with:
-first RECLAIMING of POWER to CHOOSE and DECIDE one’s SOCIAL STRATEGY
-then disciplined investigation of what strategy is most optimal
–resolute commitment to that strategy
-resulting in conscious application of force, counterbalancing:
-the evolutionary cautiousness
-the inhibition of modern social conditioning
-resulting in becoming the “FRIEND OF THE WORLD”, the “SOCIAL BUTTERFLY”, the “PEOPLE-PERSON”, the “COMMUNITY BUILDER”, the “LIFE OF THE PARTY”, the “LEADER”, the “GOOD SAMARITAN”
If you believe you’re not that kind of person — it’s your choice and your loss.
If you believe the world is just zero sum games — it’s your choice to stay deluded.
If you believe you can do it alone — go ahead and play the game in the hard mode.
Myself I just see value to be had for myself and the world — and then I logically set about acquiring it.
I recognize value to be had in expanding one’s social resources — and then I logically set about acquiring it.
There’s nothing to overthink here or be emotional about. Get value, give value.
Get value, give value.
Expand, elevate