PRIDE MEETS POWER

Each of us spends only a little time on this planet, but while we do we just may be around for one of history's more remarkable intersections. Serendipitous moments when two great forces somehow meet. On occasion, the collision will mean burnt ashes, but other times fiery sparks. Here's a case still open to debate.

The first force-factor here is as old as Eden -- human pride. We tend to think well of ourselves, react to approval, respond to flattery. "Scientific American" reports that flattery really will get you everything. A Hong Kong research team found that shoppers respond positively to compliments even when it's obvious they are designed to make you buy.

Now lets face it, it's statistically impossible for everyone to be above average. And yet the research shows this above-average effect is in play time and time again. Most of us believe we're at least above-average. If someone tells us we look good we believe it. If the boss approves our work, we work harder. But now what happens with this above-average effect when it meets the IPhone or the IPad....?

Alexander the Great felt great after conquering half the known world. Caesar felt great when he became, well when he became Caesar. Now, however, virtually anyone can feel great holding one of these astounding little technologies in the palm of their hand. Pride has now met Power!

Tell me, is there anything the holder can't now do? Phoning...viewing...texting...resourcing ...gaming... investing...filming...restauranting...jibbigooing...home managing....dieting. The little bugger can do virtually everything but have your kids (and who knows, someday?).

Here's the point.You and I have lived long enough to have become a one-of-a-kind collision point between Pride and Power. All the pride of our above-average affectation; now plus all the power with which Alexander and Caesar could have surely conquered the rest of their world.

What will we do with this astonishing moment? Hopefully more than while away the hours YouTubing our latest hairdo or haiku. This new potential pulsing in our palms is virtually god-like. Maybe, then, it's time to act more god-like than beast-like. Kinda the way I'm assuming the real God originally meant for us...



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