EP: Quantifying Malevolence
A Politician, a Celebrity, an Activist, a Saint, and a Government walk into a bar...
In this series I call ‘Evil Prevails,’ I’d like to explore the various causes and impacts of seemingly innocuous, wholesome, and at times unrelated aspects of society that lead to instances of the greatest evil, or at minimum, have a high propensity to do so.
Not every evil result starts with an intention to harm. Unfortunately, many start and are continued under the guise of the ultimate good, or, as we call it, Acts of Benevolence.
This is the second commentary in the 'Evil Prevails' Series.
First is here.
Instead of writing endless paragraphs of description and story for today’s article, I decided to turn this into a game.
Below you will find six categories of various positions or elements that, as per the equation, have a high likelihood of leading to Malevolence in society. I have taken direct quotes from each entity and rewrote them for emphasis and impact and to disguise their original source. I’ve also provided both a general background on the entity and an emphasis on its consequences or results. Each is a known, real-life entity from common, widespread knowledge.
It’s up to you, dear reader, to guess who or what they are.
Answers are provided at the end.
Wanna play?
For Clarity -
Malevolence: Having or exhibiting ill will; wishing/causing harm to others; malicious.
Benevolence: the quality of being well-meaning; kindness.
Influence: the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something or the effect itself.
Multilateralism: the principle of participation by three or more parties, especially by the governments of different countries.
Malevolence = (Power x Influence) + Benevolence
M = (P x I) + B
You can have neither power nor influence and be filled with Benevolence.
The Politician
You can have great influence but no real power.
The Celebrity
You can have great power, little influence, and great Benevolence.
The Activist
You can have little power, great influence, and great Benevolence.
The Saint
You can have great power and great influence and act with the utmost Benevolence.
The Government
You can have great power and no real influence.
You, your family, your neighbors, and your children collectively.
1] (No Power x No Influence) + Great Benevolence
The Politician
Excerpt:
”The Republic was founded by Politicians, for Politicians. It was never intended to be a State of and by the People but a trough for the Rich and Famous to feed from. The Republic was never intended to be a Free State: the object was to provide a mode for theft and propaganda for exploitation by the rich and powerful. The fruit of the honest worker has been stolen by those who themselves have never worked. And if we refuse to grasp the facts, we will be punished by our enemies. The outside world despises the freedoms of this Republic!”
Background:
This person initially had no intentions of becoming a Politician but later felt compelled to act. They became very successful in their career. The above excerpt was rewritten to disguise the original author but was well received when it was made public.
Consequence:
This person is hated and loathed by most, but their current followers cherish them as almost a deity. This figure went on to persecute distinct groups of innocent people, which led to many deaths and trauma.
Lessons:
Those who feel powerless tend to seek power to compensate and, therefore, can become the worst of us ever to achieve it.
Who do you think it is?
2] (Little Power x Great Influence) + Little Benevolence
The Celebrity
Excerpt, Rewritten for Emphasis and Critical Impact:
’I was thrilled to work with people who value art and understand how much my life’s work means to me. I immediately began to plan how we could work together to expand and protect my music (They don’t own) while maximizing the outcomes (Profit) for all involved.
I was disappointed when I learned that under the terms of the acquisition, the property owners would continue to receive many years of future financial rewards from my product. If I support you, the new licensure, I will directly support these future payments. As a result, I cannot entertain being partners with you.
It’s a shame to know that I will now be unable to help grow the future of these past works, and it pains me very deeply, but this is a sacrifice I will have to make. Please do let me know if your firm is ever completely independent of the previous owners.
I feel the need to be very transparent with you. I will be going forward with re-recording my old music properties to regain ownership. I know this will diminish the value of the property you have elected to purchase, but I hope you will understand this is my only way of regaining my sense of pride while allowing my fans to listen to these products without feelings of guilt for benefiting my old record label, and now you.’
Background:
This is a recording artist of extreme popularity and success. They are weaponizing their fanbase for the purpose of destroying the property value of previously recorded music they don’t own that has been sold to another company. This public dispute put billions of dollars of value, including Pension Funds, at risk for the declared ‘Pride’ of the Artist.
Also of note - there is controversy around this particular deal, with alleged abuse of ownership rights by the previous owner before the sale of this material. This is a known issue of these types of deals.
This artist has chosen to re-record, in almost exact detail, their previous music with the direct intended purpose of destroying the original Master’s value, which was sold to a Publicly-traded Company.
Ownership of Music has been debated for almost as long as music has been professionally produced. One of the business models Record Labels uses for return on investment is holding ownership, sometimes indefinitely. This ownership, for most small and medium-sized artists, gives the Label a chance to recoup losses and generate revenue for investment in other new artists. In rare circumstances, an artist becomes an international sensation and sets records in sales.
The current owner of the Master’s is disadvantaged against lawsuit or recovery of investment, as the public perception of their action would be damaging reputationally - which is a core element of their business model.
Opinion - Ongoing:
Fascinating case and a great example for analysis. This dispute, once public, name-dropped a variety of firms and institutions, caused untold levels of reputational damage, and has even resulted in a produced song intended to attack the original owner as being a propagator of misogyny.
I don’t blame the artist or their fans, and they were justified in some of their actions.
Consequences:
The impacts of this particular public dispute could put future investments into new musical or acting talent into disrepute while also extending a massive liability towards anyone who currently owns copyrighted material. The calls for rebellion against corporations and investors of copyrighted materials could result in less investment, further destruction of copyrighted property in other disputes, and potentially the loss of billions’ worth of accumulated sales and existing property ownership.
Whereas this could also lead to further legal protections from Copyright Holders moving forward, to the disadvantage of new or existing talent.
Unknown result - Statute of Limitations Expiry = 3 Years from Discovery, but U.S. Federal Courts have upheld ‘tolling’ in some cases. If Plaintiff argues the uniqueness of the case (Reputational Damage, etc) and files criminal charges - a possible extension of Statute until three years or longer after the final of six albums published - May seek remuneration of all album and tour sales owed (plus damages) with final release date and end of expiry around the year 2031 hypothetically.
Unknown result of Federal Decision if case accepted for trial.
Lesson:
The pursuit of “Pride” and “Legacy” (their words) and destruction of property through the militarization of a fanbase, regardless of intentions, can lead to unintended Malevolence where this becomes a form of power, and significant damage to industries and investment - entirely because of a personal/professional dispute.
What do you think?
3] (Great Power x Little Influence) + Great Benevolence
The Activist
Excerpt of Multiple Quotes Combined:
“When I become depressed, I remember that truth and love have always won throughout history. There have been many tyrants and murderers who seem invincible, but they always fall. Therefore, freedom is not worth having if it doesn’t include the freedom to make mistakes.
I believe, therefore, the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in service to others. Here is where a man is but the product of his thoughts – what he thinks, he becomes. So remember, it is unwise to be too sure of one’s own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might error.”
Background:
This is a very popular spiritual man who draws crowds of thousands to hear him speak. He’s a popular public speaker and is often thanked for his contributions to society.
Consequence:
This is a known pedophile who, as often as possible when not imprisoned for various crimes, would surround himself with young girls and his own nieces every night and pray to God for the strength not to abuse them. He often failed.
Lessons:
Great Power and Benevolence for others can corrupt a crowd and one’s mind. Sometimes people say powerful things as a form of retribution for crimes committed or those they plan to commit again.
Who do you think it is?
4] (Little Power x Great Influence) + Great Benevolence
The Saint
Excerpt of Multiple Quotes Combined:
“I am not sure exactly what Heaven will be like, but I know when we die, and God passes his judgment, He will not ask ‘How many good things have you done in your life?’ rather, He will ask, ‘How much love did you put into what you did?
Therefore, let no one ever come to you without leaving you better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile. In the end, we will be judged by our actions. You gave food to those who were hungry, you clothed the naked, gave shelter to the homeless, and helped all those in need.”
Background:
This person is a canonical Saint by the Catholic Church, started renowned Charities to help the poor in their vision, spent their life in service to God, shook hands with the most powerful politicians, and traveled the world.
Consequence:
This person was a Sadist who believed the only way to God in Heaven was through the greatest suffering possible without medical intervention or help. They are often criticized for the abject squalor and horrendous conditions they allowed their victims to suffer in while this person traveled the world in Private Jets.
Most of her victims spent their final dying days and months laying on cold floors without blankets, doctors, or painkillers - which led to this person achieving so much world renown and fame.
This person defended convicted pedophiles. They were also quoted as saying they don’t act for the benefit of the poor but for the benefit of the Catholic Church.
Lessons:
One doesn’t need great power to achieve great things; sometimes, all you need is to preach Benevolence for the weakest and poorest of society and watch your influence grow.
Who do you think it is? Can you forgive them?
5] (Great Power x Great Influence) + Highest Benevolence
The Government
Excerpt of Quotes about this Government:
This Government should ensure peace by eliminating causes of dissension, by deciding controversies, and by uniting the potential force of all the world as a standing menace against any nation that seeks to upset the peace of the world.
This Government is the preeminent institution of multilateralism. It provides a forum where sovereign states can come together to share burdens, address common problems, and seize common opportunities. This Government helps establish the norms that many countries would like everyone to live by.
This Government has become a largely irrelevant, if not a positively destructive institution, and the just-released reports on the recent atrocities prove the point.
Background:
This Government has existed for generations and has grown steadily in power and influence around the world throughout that time. This organization has its own Armed Military, Court, Banking, and Financing, along with these other departments:
Department of Defense and Security
Department of Justice
Department of Food and Agriculture
Department of Civil Aviation
Department of Labor
Department of Maritime and Oceans
Department of Treasury
Department of Money Issuance (SDR)
Department of Telecommunications
Department of Education, Science, and Culture
Department of Industrial Development
Department of Tourism
Department of Postal Union
Banking
Department of Health and Services
Department of Intellectual Property
Department of Meteorological Organization
Department of Trade
Department of Atomic Energy
Department of Humanitarian Aid Programs
Department of HIV/AIDs and Pandemic Programs
Department of Native and Indigenous Affairs
Department of Forests
Department of Statistics
Department on Sustainable Development
+5,600 Other Directly Funded Organizations, Agencies, Commissions, Groups, Legions, Alliances, Councils, Corporations, etc.
Consequence:
This Government’s precursor is directly responsible for the conditions leading to the rise of the 3rd Reich and Hitler’s Germany. This Government has alienated almost every Government on the planet at least once. It has created a treaty, pact, or resolution with almost every Dictator, Tyrant, and Mass-Murderer in recent history. It has been accused of being both Anti-Semitic and Anti-Palestine simultaneously. It has become both the greatest friend and foe of Aboriginal Nations under its purview.
Lessons:
This Government is capable of both the greatest good and the greatest evils simultaneously. This Government is so powerful as to be the literal dream and vision of every madman, dictator, despot, and tyrant in all of human history - collectively.
Hitler, Alexander the Great, and Atilla the Hun’s Dreams - Fully Realized.
What entity do you think it is?
As you will read below, only one person on this list can be classified as inherently evil or having Malevolence. Sometimes the biggest causes of ills in society are done through innocuous or seemingly benign reasons and causes. It is also well within even the evilest of intentions or actions to inspire good in others, as you’ve read above.
In the end, we are all human, which is both our most endearing and, equally, our most fearsome quality. Anyone who is capable of good is equally capable of acts of evil.
Those among us capable of the greatest good are, therefore, capable of the greatest of evils.
Lest we ever forget this lesson, we can rest assured we will be starkly reminded.
As always,
Farewell and Good Luck.
-Dark Philosopher
Answers
You can have neither power nor influence and be filled with Benevolence
The Politician - Adolf Hitler (1889-1945?)
You can have great influence, but no real power
The Celebrity - Taylor Alison Swift (1989-Present)
You can have great power, little influence, and great Benevolence
The Activist - Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948)
You can have little power, great influence, and great Benevolence
The Saint - (Saint) Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997)
You can have great power, and great influence, and act in the utmost Benevolence
The Government - United Nations (1945-Present)
Precursor Model - League of Nations (1920-1946)
You can have great power and no real influence
You, your family, your neighbors, and your children collectively
November 16th, 2023 - Fixed Layout, Format, Signature
Resources
Adolf Hitler Speech - September 1923
“THE Republic was founded to be a milk-cow for its founders - for the whole parliamentary gang. It was never intended to be a State for the German people, but a feeding ground, as pleasant and as rich a feeding-ground as possible. There never was any thought of giving to the German people a free State: the object was to provide a mob of the lowest scoundrels with an obliging object for their exploitation. The fruit of the honest work of other folk has been stolen by those who themselves have never worked. And if we refuse to grasp the facts, the outside world knows better. The outside world despises the representatives of this November-Republic! Neither in society nor in the meetings of diplomats are they regarded as equals, much less as men of character.” -Adolf Hitler, Politician, September 12th, 1923
Taylor Swift Public Letter
“I feel the need to be very transparent with you. I will be going forward with my original re-recording schedule and will be embarking on that effort soon. I know this will diminish the value of my old masters, but I hope you will understand that this is my only way of regaining the sense of pride I once had when hearing songs from my first six albums and also allowing my fans to listen to those albums without feelings of guilt for benefiting Scooter.” -Taylor Alison Swift, Celebrity, October 28th, 2020
Gandhi
“When I despair, I remember that all through history, the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
“Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
“A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
“It is unwise to be too sure of one’s own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
Mother Teresa
“I am not sure exactly what heaven will be like, but I know that when we die and it comes time for God to judge us, He will not ask, ‘How many good things have you done in your life?’ rather He will ask, ‘How much love did you put into what you did?”
― Mother Teresa
“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.”
― Mother Teresa
“At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done.
We will be judged by “I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in.”
― Mother Teresa
“I am not sure exactly what Heaven will be like, but I know when we die and God passes his judgement He will not ask ‘How many good things have you done in your life?’ rather He will ask, ‘How much love did you put into what you did? Therefore, let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile. In the end, we will be judged by our actions. You gave food to those who were hungry, you clothed the naked, gave shelter to the homeless, and helped all those in need.” - Mother Teresa.
U.N. Quotes
League of Nations - It resolved that the League “should ensure peace by eliminating causes of dissension, by deciding controversies by peaceable means, and by uniting the potential force of all the members as a standing menace against any nation that seeks to upset the peace of the world” - New York Times Ad, Christmas Day, 1919
The United Nations is the preeminent institution of multilateralism. It provides a forum where sovereign states can come together to share burdens, address common problems, and seize common opportunities. The U.N. helps establish the norms that many countries - including the United States - would like everyone to live by. - Shashi Tharoor
Those who still believe the United Nations is a human rights organization with the best of intentions are kidding themselves.
Transferring our sovereignty and decision-making power to the WTO, to the United Nations, or any other international body is not in the long-term interests of our people.
The United Nations has become a largely irrelevant, if not positively destructive institution, and the just-released U.N. report on the atrocities in Darfur, Sudan, proves the point.