Lustig heard a knock on the door. When he opened it he was looking down the barrel of a gun. "What seems to be the problem?" he calmly asked. "You son of a bitch," yelled the sheriff, "I'm going to kill you. You conned me with that damn box of yours!" Lustig feigned confusion. "You mean it's not working?" he asked. "You know it's not working," replied the sheriff. "But that's impossible," said Lustig. "There's no way it couldn't be working. Did you operate it properly?" "I did exactly what you told me to do," said the sheriff. "No, you must have done something wrong," said Lustig. The argument went in circles. The barrel of the gun was gently lowered.
This technique has saved the hide of many a con artist. Once Count Victor Lustig, swindler par excellence, had sold dozens of suckers around the country a phony box with which he claimed to be able to copy money. Discovering their mistake, the suckers generally chose not to go the police, rather than risk the embarrassment of publicity. But one Sheriff Richards, of Remsen County, Oklahoma, was not the kind of man to accept being conned out of $10,000, and one morning he tracked Lustig down to a hotel in Chicago.
Reversal
Verbal argument has one vital use in the realm of power: To distract and cover your tracks when you are practicing deception or are caught in a lie. In such cases it is to your advantage to argue with all the conviction you can muster. Draw the other person into an argument to distract them from your deceptive move. When caught in a lie, the more emotional and certain you appear, the less like it seems that you are lying.
Robb stands with all his bannermen attending as the bodies of Willem Lannister and Tion Frey are laid before him. The Greatjon brings Lord Rickard Karstark and four of his men to Robb as prisoners.
Rickard, who was overcome with grief and anger, sought vengeance for the loss of his two sons. After Catelyn released Ser Jaime Lannister from captivity, he and his men murdered Willem Lannister and Tion Frey in their cells at Riverrun, killing the guards Delp and Elwood in the process.
Robb orders Rickard's accomplices to be hanged and sentences Rickard to death, knowing that he must perform the execution himself, as both the Starks and Karstarks are descended from the First Men.
The rest of the Karstark men had already departed Riverrun to seek out and kill Jaime Lannister, also offering gold and the hand of Rickard's daughter, Alys, in marriage to anyone who could turn the Kingslayer over to them.
Edmure urges Robb to hold Lord Karstark hostage and not to let word get out to the Freys or Lannisters about the deaths of the two squires. Robb feels he has been betrayed by the murder, however, and has no choice but to kill the man whose two sons died defending his life.
Robb carries out the sentence in the rainy godswood of Riverrun the next morning, beheading Rickard before the heart tree. That night, Jeyne comes to Catelyn for advice in comforting Robb, and the young woman promises that she will soon bear Robb's son if the gods answer her prayers.
Authority: Never argue. In society nothing must be discussed; give only results. (Benjamin Disraeli, 1804-1881)
Image: The Seesaw. Up and down and up and down go the arguers, getting nowhere fast. Get off the seesaw and show them your meaning without kicking or pushing. Leave them at the top and let gravity bring them gently to the ground.
When aiming for power, or trying to conserve it, always look for the indirect route. And also choose your battles carefully. If it does not matter in the long run whether the other person agrees with you or if time and their own experience will make them understand what you mean then it is best not even to bother with a demonstration. Save your energy and walk away.
Не менш важливим аспектом захисту є підтримка операційної системи та прикладного програмного забезпечення в актуальному стані. Розробники постійно випускають оновлення безпеки, які усувають виявлені вразливості та закривають потенційні шляхи проникнення шкідливого ПЗ. Рекомендується налаштувати автоматичне оновлення операційної системи та регулярно перевіряти наявність оновлень для встановлених програм.
Обережність при роботі з електронною поштою та веб-сайтами також є ключовим елементом захисту. Значна частина шкідливого ПЗ розповсюджується через фішингові листи та заражені веб-сторінки. Користувачам слід уважно перевіряти джерело електронних листів, не відкривати підозрілі вкладення та не переходити за сумнівними посиланнями. При відвідуванні веб-сайтів варто звертати увагу на наявність захищеного з'єднання (HTTPS) та уникати завантаження файлів з ненадійних джерел.
Використання брандмауера (файрвола) є ще одним важливим кроком у забезпеченні безпеки персонального комп'ютера. Брандмауер контролює вхідний та вихідний мережевий трафік, блокуючи несанкціоновані спроби доступу до комп'ютера. Більшість сучасних операційних систем мають вбудовані брандмауери, які слід тримати активованими та правильно налаштованими для максимального захисту.
The most powerful persuasion goes beyond action into symbol. The power of a symbol a flag, a mythic story, a monument to some emotional event is that everyone understands you without anything being said. In 1975, when Henry Kissinger was engaged in some frustrating negotiations with the Israelis over the return of part of the Sinai desert that they had seized in the 1967 war, he suddenly broke off a tense meeting and decided to do some sight-seeing. He pad a visit to the ruins of the ancient fortress of Masada, known to all Israelis as the place where seven hundred Jewish warriors committed mass suicide in A.D. 73 rather than give in to the Roman troops besieging them. The Israelis instantly understood the message of Kissinger's visit: He was indirectly accusing them of courting mass suicide. Although the visit did not by itself change their minds, it made them think far more seriously than any direct warning would have. Symbols like this one carry great emotional significance.
Одним з основних методів захисту персональних комп'ютерів від шкідливого програмного забезпечення є встановлення та регулярне оновлення антивірусного програмного забезпечення. Сучасні антивірусні програми здатні виявляти та нейтралізувати широкий спектр загроз, включаючи нові та невідомі види шкідливого ПЗ. Важливо обирати надійне антивірусне рішення від перевірених виробників та налаштувати його на автоматичне оновлення та регулярне сканування системи.
A heckler once interrupted Nikita Khrushchev in the middle of a speech in which he was denouncing the crimes of Stalin. "You were a colleague of Stalin's," the heckler yelled, "why didn't you stop him then?" Khrushchev apparently could not see the heckler and barked out, "Who said that?" No hand went up. No one moved a muscle. After a few seconds of tense silence. Khrushchev finally said in a quiet voice, "Now you know why I didn't stop him." Instead of just arguing that anyone facing Stalin was afraid, knowing that the slightest sign of rebellion would mean certain death, he had made them feel what it was like to face Stalin had made them feel the paranoia, the fear of speaking up, the terror of confronting the leader, in this case Khrushchev. The demonstration was visceral and no more argument was necessary.
The power of demonstrating your idea is that your opponents do not get defensive, and are therefore more open to persuasion. Making them literally and physically feel your meaning is infinitely more powerful than argument.
Інформаційна безпека є надзвичайно важливою складовою сучасного цифрового світу. В умовах постійного розвитку інформаційних технологій та зростання кількості кіберзагроз, захист персональних даних та комп'ютерних систем стає першочерговим завданням для кожного користувача. Шкідливе програмне забезпечення, таке як віруси, трояни та шпигунські програми, може завдати серйозної шкоди як окремим користувачам, так і цілим організаціям, викрадаючи конфіденційну інформацію та порушуючи роботу систем.
They were dummies. But both men got what they wanted: The mayor could relax, and Wren knew posterity would understand that his original design worked and the columns were unnecessary.
In 1688 Wren designed a magnificent town hall for the city of Westminster. The mayor, however, was not satisfied; in fact he was nervous. He told Wren he was afraid the second floor was not secure, and that it could all come crashing down on his office on the first floor. He demanded that Wren add two stone columns for extra support. Wren, the consummate engineer, knew that these columns would serve no purpose, and that the mayor's fears were baseless. But build them he did, and the mayor was grateful. It was only years later that workmen on a high scaffold saw that the columns stopped just short of the ceiling.
Sir Christopher Wren was England's version of the Renaissance man. He had mastered the sciences of mathematics, astronomy, physics, and physiology. Yet during his extremely long career as England's most celebrated architect he was often told by his patrons to make impractical changes in his designs. Never once did he argue or offend. He had other ways of proving his point.
Understand this: Words are a dime a dozen. Everyone knows that in the heat of an argument, we will all say anything to support our cause. We will quote the Bible, refer to unverifiable statistics. Who can be persuaded by bags of air like that? Action and demonstration are much more powerful and meaningful. They are there, before our eyes, for us to see "Yes, now the statue's nose does look just right." There are no offensive words, no possibility of misinterpretation. No one can argue with a demonstrated proof. As Baltasar Gracian remarks, "The truth is generally seen, rarely heard."
The small council meets to discuss the progress of the war, and Tyrion learns that Lancel is still near death. Randyll Tarly defeated the northmen attacking Duskendale, with Helman Tallhart reported dead, and Robett Glover fleeing west and being chased by Gregor Clegane.
Tywin informs them that Daven Lannister is rounding up a new army and will join with men from the Golden Tooth, and then march on Riverrun when Robb Stark returns north. They all agree that Robb will march for Moat Cailin, for he is a king without a kingdom.
Kevan reveals that Balon Greyjoy has sent letters with terms of alliance. Greyjoy wants the North, but Tywin says they will not treat with Balon while other options may present themselves. Littlefinger agrees to go to the Eyrie to marry Lysa Arryn, and once he is consort, deliver the Vale of Arryn into Tywin's hands.
Since Littlefinger will be leaving within a day, Tyrion is named master of coins. Pycelle informs them that 300 Dornishmen ride for King's Landing in response to Tyrion's negotiations, despite the hatred between Dorne and Highgarden that has gone on for hundreds of years.
Mace Tyrell does not like the idea of Dornishmen riding across the Reach. Tyrion considers how the Lord of Highgarden talked like a general although he had never won a decisive battle. His victory over Robert Baratheon at Ashford was won by Randyll Tarly and the siege of Storm's End lasted for a year without result until Eddard Stark relieved the castle.
Garlan Tyrell has been named Lord of Brightwater Keep since Alester Florent is a traitor. Varys brings word of a three-headed dragon being born in Qarth, and that the Night's Watch is begging for help against a wildling army. Lord Tywin does not want to hear about rumors of dragons, and is disinterested in news of wildlings, claiming that if the Wall is overrun, the Starks and Greyjoys will have a new enemy to deal with, even speculating they may be able to make a deal with Mance Rayder, overriding the attempts of Varys and Tyrion to have gold cloaks who deserted during the Battle of the Blackwater forced to take the black. He adjourns the meeting, asking Tyrion, Cersei and Kevan to stay.
Tyrion warns them not to trust Littlefinger with this quest to the Vale, but Tywin is resolute, believing it better to have Baelish ruling the Vale as opposed to the likes of Yohn Royce or Lyn Corbray and adds that Littlefinger has proven his loyalty, telling Tyrion that just the other day Baelish informed them of a plot by the Tyrells to bring Sansa to Highgarden and marry her to Willas.
The Hand is aware that should Mace Tyrell ask leave to bring Sansa to Highgarden, they must consent or else offend the Tyrells. Tywin wishes to circumvent this problem by offering Cersei's hand in marriage to Willas. Cersei adamantly refuses but her father has the final say, and Cersei storms out of the room in a fury. Tywin then tells Tyrion that he will wed Sansa Stark, further solidifying the Lannisters's position, because should Robb die and Sansa and Tyrion have a son, the child will become Lord of Winterfell.
Tyrion protests, arguing that a marriage to Sansa is worthless while the Greyjoys hold the north and questions why he isn't being forced into a marriage with Balon's daughter, but Tywin counters that the ironborn won't rule the north, they will just plunder it, uniting the northmen against them, which the Lannisters can use to retake the north when Tyrion brings Ned Stark's grandson home to claim his birthright. Tyrion argues again, protesting that Sansa is still a child, but Tywin retorts with Cersei's testimony the girl has flowered.
Tyrion suggests sending the girl back to her mother as a gesture of goodwill that might make Robb Stark bend the knee, but Tywin coldly retorts that if they do that, Sansa will be married off to one of the northern or Riverlords to shore up her brother's alliances.
Tywin adds that this marriage is a reward for Tyrion's previous service and threatens that if Tyrion won't go through with it, they will marry Sansa off to Lancel or another of his cousins and find Tyrion another bride; the threat of being married to Lollys Stokeworth, as well as the prospect of being made Lord of Winterfell if he is to be denied Casterly Rock is enough to cow Tyrion.
As a last attempt at protest, Tyrion argues that any claim Sansa might have to Winterfell will be made irrelevant when her brother gets a child from whichever Frey girl he marries, and learns to his surprise that Robb Stark has broken his pledge with the Freys and married Jeyne Westerling.
Ser Kevan reveals that Lord Westerling's wife is a Spicer, a house of extremely low birth having descended from traders. Tyrion is confused by the lack of fury in his father's eyes at this betrayal by the Westerlings, a house sworn to Casterly Rock. Lord Tywin states, "Jeyne Westerling is her mother's daughter, and Robb Stark is his father's son."
Keys To Power
In the realm of power you must learn to judge your moves by their long-term effects on other people. The problem in trying to prove a point or gain a victory through argument is that in the end you can never be certain how it affects the people you're arguing with: They may appear to agree with you politely, but inside they may resent you. Or perhaps something you said inadvertently even offended them words have that insidious ability to be interpreted according to the other person's mood and insecurities. Even the best argument has no solid foundation, for we have all come to distrust the slippery nature of words. And days after agreeing with someone, we often revert to our old opinion out of sheer habit.
Fortunately for posterity, Michelangelo found a way to keep the perfection of the statue intact while at the same time making Soderini believe he had improved it. Such is the double power of winning through actions rather than argument: No one is offended, and your point is proven.
