Coercion is a dirty word; manipulation no better. But that's what social life is all about, down at its very core: we're all trying to get people to see our point of view, to join forces in some fashion, whether it's building a world-changing company or just going to the cinema together. Brute force doesn't do the job, or certainly not for long. So how can we win people over effectively, and without the stench of coercion blighting our attempts? Law 43 answers these questions and much more besides. Drawing together the threads of many of the previous Laws, this is a powerful exploration into the heart of emotional intelligence and how to calibrate yourself effectively to the world and people around you. Along with Robert's historical examples, we highlight the ways in which Hillary Clinton transgressed this Law in her failed run for the presidency; just how deeply Facebook is controlling your mind; and why people get so mixed up about love and seduction. We also overthrow the idea that millennials are entitled pricks; compare notes on our respective parental conditioning (which turns out to be a story of polar opposites); and unpick the myth of Steve Jobs. There's also time to hear Dre's tales of early sexual dramas, and discuss the unhinged world of pun-based porn movies... This episode includes: The importance of having to wait How to raise your children to be more powerful Deciding whose hearts and minds it's actually worth winning The media's tactics to follow this Law – and how you can avoid being suckered in Grand Gestures and how to deploy them Is being yourself ever a good idea? Which is more important: the heart or the mind? Mentioned in the episode: Dre's latest obsession: Ultimate Beastmaster Jacque Fresco and the Venus Project The Beautiful South's song, Artificial Flowers Daniele Bolelli's excellent podcast, The Drunken Taoist Jon's article on offensive humour and how it works Challenge: Pause. Breathe. And try to see where the other person is coming from. Then construct your plans around that: how can you win them over on their terms? Be silly. Be kind. Be weird. Join us as we continue our 48 Laws of Power review, exploring Robert Greene's provocative and compelling book, in which he lays bare the history, practice, psychology, and philosophies of power that ultimately shape all human relations. Often seen as a handbook for the 'modern Machiavelli', we take a closer look, beyond the hyperbole, and discuss how understanding and implementing these Laws can actually enrich your life personally, professionally and spiritually. Jon and Dre aim to get to the heart of each of the Laws, grapple with their sometimes disturbingly amoral nature, and discuss what the Laws mean in everyday life (often revealing their own experiences – good and bad – when they've either observed or transgressed them).

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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