Success in any game is measured by one’s ability to influence events to favour one’s own agenda. Leverage is the key to achieving this, and consequently the Player will devote his time and energy to achieving this over his opponents. Once gained, a Player will sacrifice much to retain leverage, since it affords him a continual advantage in the long-term.
Leverage may be real, but it is more often imagined as part of an elaborate ploy dreamed up by the Player to control his opponent. For this to work he must become a mater manipulator.
In Italy they use the phrase “fare una bella figura” to mean “putting on a nice face.” This is the way the Players do business – by disguising their intentions beneath a veneer of respectability. The focus is not on reality so much as on what appears to be real, and in knowing this, Players are able to manager society‘s impression of them by appearing to be genuine, virtuous and well-intentioned. This is far more effective a strategy for getting ahead than really being all of those things!
The poseurs, who always existed and thrived throughout history, have never done so in such numbers. Whereas previously, they were the exception, now they have become the rule. It starts with projecting an air of success. Then, when we buy into ?them? as a product, we proceed to buy whatever it is they are pushing. In this way, appearing to be successful becomes the only real qualification for success. With this edict, the circle is complete ? impression management has now become an end in and of itself.
Those virtual people cannot completely rid themselves of those who are the genuine article, because someone is required to really produce. Consequently, a small number of these dinosaurs are allowed to stay and on occasion, are very well remunerated, and given impressive titles, but never under any circumstances are they given any real power. They may become experts, advisers, or researchers, but they are always well removed from where any real power resides.