If you are one of those people interested in the politics of society, the complexity of human interaction and the curious nature of cut throat/ back stabbing business deals; then Game of Thrones is the right kind of show for you. I first thought Game of Thrones was just about medieval times such as knights and dragons but in actuality it is much more than those concepts. Game of Thrones illustrates the different factions of society and how each faction interacts in contrast from one another in order to survive. The show demonstrates how individual’s idealistic differences can either keep them alive and thriving amongst the chaos and turmoil or help to descend their eventual downfall towards destruction. In the world within Game of Thrones it is wise to know your status and abide by its limitations or disrupt the perceived status quo in order to climb the ladder of society on your own terms.
But what exactly does Game of Thrones represent? Game of Thrones represents the struggle for control and power and how this struggle is manipulated by individuals who truly pull the strings of those in the pursuit of this. This depiction of individuals racing forward to be proclaimed king is a perfect example of how modern society still operates. You have those who follow, those who think they lead, those who control those in place to lead and those who operate independent of the system in place. It is truly a game of theory, risk and chance were only a few excel at becoming masters of the operation.
Lets discuss the lessons to learn along the way that will help you to position yourself strategically while others remain guessing and making the wrong decisions.
1) Understand the Game. In Game of Thrones many people believe they are masters of the game when they are merely nothing but pawns within the game. These are the people foolish enough to believe they are in control when in reality they are being misled and controlled themselves to serve another’s cause. Look at someone like Cersei for instance. She believes she is cunning and calculating but she actually lets her emotions and insecurities misguide her judgment. She is what you can call a competent idiot. She does just enough to seem clever but her actions eventually come back to bite her in the ass. Then take a look at individuals like Petyr Baelish and Varys. They both understand that information and knowledge combined with the ability to make it valuable is what produces real power and control over the game. While everyone is fighting amongst one another, they are watching intently in the background analyzing how to strategically move forward. Analyze the people around you, know the environment you are in and work those two things in your favor in order to remain productive and advance as the game progresses.
2) Power is Subjective. This means power is what you believe it to be. This is what creates the volatility we see within the world and the friction caused by the interaction of different societies. The view of power and how it is gained and harnessed is what produces the struggles and battles to retain it. But what power are people truly fighting and laboring over? The power they seek is what they perceive as leverage to get others to follow their actions and comply to their commands. For the most part people pursue and wield power in the wrong manner; therefore developing friction and unneeded animosity from others. This causes other individuals or groups to jockey for the power in place and replace it with their own beliefs and methods. It becomes a never-ending cycle which brings about two questions. Is it better to put your power on full display for others to see or better to play power broker behind the scenes unnoticed and unknown to but a few?
3) Knowledge is Power. Those who posses valuable information that everyone wants hold an advantage on the ladder of power. This is because knowledge demands the respect of power due to the threat it conveys to those in its path. Again we look to a person such as Varys. He is a master of spies who employs a network of unassuming spies that are highly skilled at attaining valuable information. He knows what is needed to be known and wanted to be known by others therefore making him a dangerous and respected individual. If we were to examine Petyr Baelish we would see that he deals cards to different individuals and waits for them to show their hand before he proceeds forward. He is a master manipulator and excellent puppet master who orchestrates people to work in his favor unknowingly. It pays to be smarter than everyone else and a strategic mastermind if you know how to make such talents valuable. A quick example to remember. Baelish informed Cersei that knowledge is power and she responded by demonstrating that power is power. In the end we will see how each one’s definition of power plays out as time moves forward for each of them.
4) Know Everyone’s Motives. This is very important because you must know how people’s intentions and desires will affect your own. It has been pointed out how Baelish deals out cards to many individuals and does so in order to weigh his options. You must get people to reveal themselves either intentionally or unintentionally so that you can strategize your own initiatives. But remain cautious when doing this. Remember that this is a game where people mislead and manipulate those around them themselves. This is why you must truly be knowledgeable about those around you, knowing when they are being honest and deceitful. Make it your duty to successfully anticipate people’s moves in order to not be caught off guard and suffer a setback to your own plans.
I know this may seem wrong to theorize life as such a game but that is the reality of the world we live within. I guarantee you that those who are successful and thriving in this world understand this mentality. You do not have to think in this manner maliciously but do so in a manner that helps you progress forward and stay ahead. You do not want to participate in the game of musical chairs but rather be the one who controls the music of the game.
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