The 48 Laws Of Power

grandspectacle

thatawes

people

anddistractsthemfrom

unpleasant

reali-

ties.Thisis

easy

todo:

People

lovewhatis

grand,spectacular,

and

larger

thanlife.

Appeal

totheiremotionsand

they

willflockto

yourspectacle

in

hordes.Thevisualistheeasiestrouteto

their

heans.

Image:

TheCrossandthe

Sun. Crucifixion

and

totalradiance.Withone

imposed

over the

other,

a

new

reality

takes

shape—

anew

power

is in the

ascendant. The

sym-

bol-no

explanation

necessary.

Authority:

The

people

are

always impressed by

the

superficial appearamze

of

things.

...The

[prince]

should,

at

fitting

timesofthe

year,

keep

the

people occupied

anddistractedwithfestivities

and

spectacles. (Niccolo

Maclliavelli,

1469-»l527)

REVERSAL

No

power

ismadeavailable

byignoring

images

and

symbols.

Thereisno

possible

reversaltothislaw.

316 LAW 37