So You Want to Rule The World: Part 4

“Presidential elections are planned distractions,
To divert attention from the action behind the scenes.”
-Timbuk3

If you want to rule the world, you’re going to have to know how it actually works. You can’t take over the planet if you don’t know who you’re taking it over from.

So, how can you find out what’s going on behind the curtain?

The first place to start is “Freakonomics.”

Freakonomics cracked the code on everyday stuff, like the secrets of real estate agents and Sumo wrestlers.

The idea here is that if you keep your mind open and get good data you can find out what’s really going on.

For example, you’d expect that a real estate agent would want to sell your house at the highest price, right? That way they get a higher commission. But when the Freakonomics guy ran the numbers he came away with a different conclusion.
And you wouldn’t think a Sumo wrestler would throw a match would you? Again, run the numbers and you might be surprised.

The book is fascinating, but understanding Sumo wrestlers isn’t going to get you any closer to ruling the world. The BIG IDEA is understanding that there’s more to the world than what we think. Reading the book is like seeing behind the Matrix for the first time. It’s all in the numbers.

If you can find an old copy of “The Screwing of the Average Man,” it‘ll open your eyes, too. It’ll show you how many people are dipping into your wallet -- and maybe even give you ideas about how to dip into other people’s wallets.

If you’d rather read some fast-paced fiction, try “The Pelican Brief.” The idea here is to show how, with billions of dollars at stake, a company might almost invisibly reach out to control Washington. Not take over, just take a little action behind the scenes to make the game come out their way.