Redefining the "Strongman" label: Empathy and Egoism
The dichotomy of power and strength defined by “Grade-A Bullies”(?), love and dissolving self
Dearest People,
There is a shed-ton of events happening in the world right now and it can be overwhelming at times, even for those that may consider themselves far removed. And so, this is a wee blaw oot on [Scots: small blow out on [lit.]; small formal denunciation of a person] those who wield their power to inflict unnecessary suffering. I throw my energy into the cosmic mix in support of truth, peace and a relatively unified party and thank you dear reader, as always, for investing your most important currency - your time and attention - here. Additional commentary is provided in footnotes throughout1.
A few months ago, I drafted tweet to “The Free and Trusted Global Media” (whoever they might be – some journalists may know)2 questioning the use of the “strongman” title in their domain.
However, the tweet remained unposted due to time constraints and editing challenges and recent events have led me to believe that a more expanded format is needed. I am grateful for Substack for this outlet.
In the time that my draft tweet sat idle, I heeded the advice of a trusted friend and started listening to The Rest Is Politics3 (Apple Podcasts) – please see footnote 2 for some additional context 😉 During a recent episode, an Israeli historian, Yuval Noah Harari, who is known for his exceptional insights and written works, was a guest. Much respect and admiration for his contributions to his fields of work. In the podcast, (at approximately 17:50), he used some typical nomenclature for controversial people in power which related to my unposted tweet, remarking that Israel (and all associated) is bearing the consequences of "allowing a populist strongman," (referring to Benjamin Netanyahu), to rule and divide for years.
A “strongman” is defined in various ways, including:
"One who leads or controls by force of will and character or by military methods" (Merriam-Webster).
"A political leader who controls by force; dictator" (Dictionary.com).
A reference in religious texts, such as the Bible, where it's associated with the devil, armed with temptations and sins to deceive and destroy people.
Ahhh, well, given number 3, the Bible has this covered already. 🙈
However, labels, or the concepts attributed to such labels, can sometimes obscure true meaning. The negative connotations associated with "strength" when describing people, especially those in positions of power and leadership, warrant reconsideration depending on how they project themselves onto others reality.
In contrast, I view true strength and courage in those who suffer and endure such immense pain having lost loved ones, especially children, at the hands of others, but exhibit remarkable resilience to persist in their lives. As a husband and father, the mere thought of such suffering is soul-torturous.
I wanted to address the tweet not only to “The Free and Trusted Global Media”, but to everyone using the “strongman” title, imploring them to refrain from applying it to power-driven individuals like Putin (✊💙💛), Prigozhin, Orban, Kim Jong Un, Mohamed Bazoum, and other dictators seemingly devoid of empathy.
The term “strongmen” blinds these individuals to reality and will no-doubt inflate egos. The media and others should be mindful of how these labels affect their egos and seriously reconsider using the term “strongmen” in all media forms, as it doesn't serve justice for anyone involved.
“Everybody’s trying to be the big monkey - it’s really as simple as that.”
Lt. Colonel Tom Bearden PhD in The Lost Century: And How to Reclaim It (imdb)
I, generally, dislike labels, but words are our best tools, at least for now. There are arguably different levels of consciousness, and human beings have a penchant for categorizing everything. For example, relabelling a “strongmn” a "Grade-A Bully" may not be unwarranted.
We could categorize bullies based on their type utilizing, for example, the six categories outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): physical, verbal, relational, cyber, sexual, and prejudicial. Media outlets, such as the “Free and True Global Media”, known for their adept use of language, could potentially define Grades A to F bullies based on input criteria and the severity of their bullying behaviour.
The word "bully" is unambiguous and not, I think in modern society at least, a prestigious label. It does not align with the attributes typically associated with "strongmen" given their nature i.e. often lacking empathy, having unresolved issues (being insecure / wee man syndrome) etc..
Bullies tend to exploit situations to satisfy their emotional needs. By adopting a defined term in the media, media consumers et al. could comprehend the gravity of using this terminology and better gauge trustworthiness (the earlier the better). Choosing our words shapes the narrative and can unveil the soul behind the actions. Understanding these language nuances may illuminate leaders that embody both strength and compassion that resonates with our true values.
In circumstances where individuals are unjustly labeled as bullies due to societal failures, opportunities for redemption could be established by sincerely acknowledging and actively working to rectify past actions. For those positioned as lower-level bullies (e.g. Grade C-F), pathways to rehabilitation4 should be not only for behavioral correction, but an engaging and fulfilling personal growth journey.
“Grade A Bullies” often exist within echo chambers, possibly beyond redemption, but the hope remains that future strategies will prevent their rise to power. Efforts to prevent or minimize their impact should be rooted in the advancement of societal practices and rituals.
Acknowledging vulnerabilities and processing them takes incredible strength. Sharing personal vulnerabilities in a safe environment can help address issues. As a society, we should have the resources and support systems in place to assist the vulnerable.
Bullies often have inherent vulnerabilities and exhibit their own issues. This does not excuse their behaviour, but we should take responsibility for not having the safety nets in place to allow them to discover their true selves. Whether it's an unempathetic sociopath with no followers and aspirations of being a “strongman”, or ideally someone who realizes their true self as an illusory being. That being said, a Grade F schoolyard bully type (who likely just needs some love and attention to be understood or to discuss their feelings with someone they trust) would find it much easier to climb off the ladder and shed the label, than a Grade-A bully whose path to redemption might require more than one lifetime (and only if those they have wronged agree to allow it on judgement day)5.
We / humanity are failing ourselves by not having safety nets in place that are antifragile (which improves with stress and challenges) to allow us to recognise at an early age, monitor and address those perceived as having reduced empathetic capacity.
My wife told me about an interview with a Scottish headmaster A.S. Neill of a progressive school called Summerhill (that provide pupils freedom of choice in a democratically run system) being asked a leading question regarding the lack of enforced rules and discipline in his school and if he could guarantee that a person like Hilter would not materialise from his schooling system. He responded by saying something like, "No. I would not guarantee if Hitler was in our school, he wouldn’t have become that man, but I can say that if all the schools were like Summerhill, he would never have risen to power."
His ideas presented in other content and book (amazon.co.uk) are interesting, well worth exploring and having an open mind about. The way in which society operates in this regard may benefit immensely from a reshuffle, and in parallel alter attitudes towards the way in which children are engaged (i.e. they are wee humans whose purpose is to have as much fun as possible (learning about society as they go), nudging them safely and securely in the right direction in our world that is overly complex and can be scary).
At Summerhill school, from my limited vantage point, the younger children seemed extremely happy being afforded the freedom to play. In this environment, sincerity and playful social interactions were freely cultivated. Unstructured play allows for increased creativity - imagine that! Older pupils demonstrated natural contentment, confidence, and a lack of pretense. Their well-rounded and mature disposition reflected a deep self-awareness – knowing thyself is an invaluable quality.
For many reasons, I strongly advocate for introducing age-appropriate mindfulness practices across all school levels. While I believe in nurturing mindfulness as a natural habit, I'm hesitant to say anything is mandatory due to potential aversions. Alongside these practices, it's crucial to provide opportunities for students to delve deeper into exploring the mind and understanding concepts such as non-dualism, as well as being exposed to a diverse range of philosophical and religious teachings. These initiatives would significantly expand the understanding of emotions and promote self-acceptance and the acceptance of others.
Moreover, acknowledging, rewarding and honoring the pivotal role of “good” teachers is fundamental. They should be the storytellers capable of captivating and engaging our most precious asset—our youth.
“It is easier to build strong children than repair broken men.” Fredrick Douglas
This sort of exploration of self, would enable the majority to identify a lack of empathy in certain individuals more easily and enable more (of the youth) to truly know themselves earlier. The benefits (mindfulschools.org) are so wide ranging it is beyond bizarre not to pursue.
Additionally, with the dissolution of the ego (which can happen through mindful practice), political power and prestige would take on an altogether different conceptual meaning; creating materials of death6 (← particularly important footnote, I think) would be obsolete and we would be forced to use other tools, like language and reasoning, and new opportunities would materialise for collaboration and for culture to flourish.
We / humanity need paradigm shifts to change perspectives on how education systems are run without compromising conservative principles too much (initially). Doing so, among other benefits, could enable potential early, unobtrusive, non-judgmental identification and monitoring of those that may have difficulty empathising (which can also be measured to confirm (Healthshots.com)).
This will likely have a knock-on effect in governmental and financial systems where some currently covet money, prestige and power for themselves. Paradigm shifts will also be needed in the way we think (or recognising that we think, as the case may be for some 🙏) of managing and operating these systems.
“Power concedes nothing without a demand” - Fredrick Douglas
How can paradigm shifts occur in a world polarised by many forms of media and “strongmen” (in their current guise) et al., driving the wedge?
“The operation of nature consists of splitting the united or uniting the divided; this is the eternal movement of systole and diastole of the heartbeat, the inhalation and exhalation of the world in which we live, act, and exist.” - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
There is a perfect sinusoidal wave between the yin and yang that if ~8million (~1% of the global population) people decide to become Shambhala Warriors, find and ride it in phased coherence through mass consciousness (YouTube, excerpt from documentary Close Encounters of the Fifth Kind: Contact has Begun) and achieve super fluidity, the epic party of peace and true power can be realised ⚖️
Now, everyone has some flaw or other, but individuals who embody determination and the unwavering commitment to their values, striving for a better world, serve as real inspirations and strong men.
Below is a list of those one may deem as real strong men. These figures have lived their truth resolutely and are roughly categorized based on their qualities and the causes they champion(ed):
Courageous Leaders:
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Nelson Mandela
Mahatma Gandhi
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
The 14th Dalai Lama
Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)
Prophets
Husayn ibn Ali
Defenders of Freedom and Justice:
Jan Hus
John Knox
Fredrick Douglas
Maximilian Kolbe
Thich Quang Duc
William Wallace
Dr Steven Greer
Lex Fridman
Regardless of their beliefs and values, given their sacrifices and courage in the face of suppressive or bullying forces, and in light of the extreme risks faced by them and their families, can we draw inspiration from or offer our support to these real strong men, providing fulfillment and meaning to people’s truth and purpose?7
To reiterate, everyone has their flaws, but it is one’s attitude to addressing them, living true to one’s values, trying to better oneself and enhance their interactions with everything for their being and others is what makes one courageous, strong and wise.
With real strong men prevailing, promoting truth, enhancing security and safety, there may be more freedom and increased chances of happiness for the bairns (Scots: children).
We dance when we're happy and feel free, and perhaps this could be used as a good indicator to deduce if a society is healthy. 💃🕺
Love
✊ We Are The People (WATP)
P.S. One may apologise for being "too much" or for the intensity herein - I tried to keep the serious topics interspersed with fun. Striving for inner peace can allow us to see our world and our place within it more clearly and reduce the likelihood of projecting our personal struggles onto the realities of others i.e. what will be, will be, so perhaps breathe, relax and ride the waves.
I want to just note:
In the interests of equality, there has not been, to my knowledge, any prominent female figures identified as “strongmen” in the sense of being notorious bullies. There are obviously many incredibly inspirational female leaders.
Masculinity and femininity, patriarchy and matriarchy are whole other topics in themselves. Topics which have come under scrutiny as our culture evolves and we explore more deeply our contemporary identity.
To be honest, the original draft was addressed to, '@theguardian,' '@theeconomist,' '@thekyivtimes,' '@russellbrand' (as a voice of trust in America?), '@novayagazeta_en,' and '@meduza_en' (the latter two are banned Russian media outlets due to the criminalization of “fake” news about the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine).
At least one of the presenters has come across as quite a decent human being in the few episodes I have listened to. Both presenters are likeable, extremely knowledgeable and interesting. The podcast has introduced me to alternative points of view and media I did not know about.
One example is an interview with Theresa May where I found out she is heavily involved in helping those trapped in modern day slavery. I previously just thought she was a terrible politician and did not really know about her real values - like many of us are, she was probably unwittingly a slave to the system and circumstances too (maybe she would try and do something about that too if she didn’t think it did not need an overhaul).
The podcast has been covering the history and events in Israel and a heavy documentary called Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland (can be found on BBC iPlayer) was recommended as an example relating to a hopeful resolution of a complicated-people-made-situation. Former IRA and UDF (Quis Separabit - aye, except your”self” (VL Substack post, footnote 5)) members describe their own religious fanaticism and some horrific events. One former UDF member had his catholic mother snatched from his house and murdered and the body was not found for decades. He said that he would not want anyone to suffer that – it is people and statements like this that can stop hatred being passed to subsequent generations.
I talk about the sectarian history a little before the “Aye, I have a dream” chat in my podcast (Spotify) too, but the adage of one man’s freedom fighter is another man’s terrorist rings true.
The suffering of the people and particularly the children of my Celtic brethren was tear-jerking and super sad. People having suffered or suffering today at the hands of others have more strength that I care to imagine myself having to muster in a position such as theirs.
No Surrender (tinybuddha.com)✊WA(all of us are)TP🍀❤️🤍💙💚🤍🧡
Potential pathways for rehabilitation include:
Committing to social service or restorative justice practices, actively contributing to society, and displaying sincere efforts toward rectifying past wrongdoings.
Interventions such as psychological counseling or therapy to address underlying issues contributing to bullying behavior, acknowledging vulnerabilities, fears, or unresolved traumas, and actively working to overcome issues.
Design educational programs and awareness activities to enable understanding and compassion, to help individuals recognise the impact of their actions and develop empathy.
Individuals taking accountability for past actions (akin to the guidance a “good” parent may provide to a child) and making restitution through apologies, reparations, or genuine efforts to attempt to correct (some / all) damage caused.
For example, I often wonder if Christianity’s message of forgiveness was skewed by the reported founder of the Christian Church, St. Peter, who betrayed Jesus. If any wife had time unjustly cut short with a good man (or an absolutely top man in the case of Mary Magdalene) because of the treachery of a supposed pal such as Peter was to Jesus, I doubt she would rest fully until justice was served - is the manning of the pearly gates for eternity a light sentence? Hell hath no fury... wannabe “strongmen” should consider themselves amply warned.
Meaning, any weapons that are arguably not to be used for recreational purposes (and even these should be more heavily regulated (and independently audited)). Biological material of death, should be mandated to be strictly for research purposes only if there was a clear consensus in the wider community for their utility outweighing risks.
We / humanity must be able to effectively track, monitor, and regulate the production and sourcing of materials of death to remove completely, the risk of harming children. This essentially means the eradication of the industry completely and is an undertaking that constitutes a separate project entirely.
I am aware of the enormity of this disruptive task, so: Dear “good” lawyers, perhaps it is time to redeem your creed (obviously this is a generalisation) - please get it researched, writ and legalised. 🙏
There are many an unsung hero going through hardship with dignity and presence of mind too (and there are many other qualities that denote strength). I take the liberty to add the following to the list:
Both paternal Papas
My Dad
“Good” family and friends
“Good” teachers
“Good” healthcare workers
Anyone that gives their time to a “good” cause dear to their heart (“good” being relevantly subjective)
While some might disagree with certain individuals listed, everyone is encouraged to create their own list that inspires them on their journey. Additionally, I contemplated including Saltheart Foamfollower, Frodo Baggins, Severus Snape, and numerous other inspirational characters who may have objectively made a positive impact on humanity. However, such additions would expand the list into another domain.