I have recently re-read several historical novels. Old stuff, mainly about ancient Egyptians and Romans. It's not surprising that the main topic, beside the actual "story", was the wild, unbridled desire for power through conquest. Each higher and lower leader dreamed of becoming a conqueror like Ramses II or Julius Caesar. Winning over other countries, adding new territories to their homeland... this is all that was in their minds and they strove towards this goal, often till death. What is in the mind of some of today's men (and some women, too)? It's still power - the magical word - although achieved in different ways. Now they don't go charging with a sword, bringing back slaves in chains. Times have changed but the desire is still there. Power today mainly means winning an election, leading a multinational, acquiring fame and wealth. Power, nowadays, is achieved through oftentimes sneaky maneuvering on the political scene, through sly business on the economic world, through racy, not rarely offensive performances on stage or on the screen. Yes, in the modern world also performers such as actors, singers and reality-so-called-stars have power because they can (and do) influence young people in particular with the way they present themselves. When they achieve their goal, politicians, businessmen and performers bring back - and can count on - not real "slaves", but devoted partisans, obsequious collaborators, passionate fans. It seems that human beings cannot avoid craving control in general, even in their family, over friends, co-workers etc. It is an innate characteristic of ours that, as usual, can be used either for the good or for the "less" good!
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