Change and Influence -- How to Grow Your Presence For Power
Updated: May 18
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Few of us can significantly change the world, with or without support. As creators, change usually comes when large portions of people are exposed to the content we provide, and when that content affects them in one way or another. The exception is, of course, when we are given a position of larger authority, like in the field of politics, which then our sphere of influence has a greater potential to grow to a wider audience. Much of our ability to change the world, therefore, is indirect.
And influence is, pretty much, power that is indirect (similar, but not identical, to the Imperial British indirect rule). One that is done through the hearts and minds of people. It's not done through official authority, which gives us the legitimacy to issue orders to subordinates. When influenced, the inspiring impression you leave on other people, affects their ability to choose when they have and are entitled to the freedom of choice.
Regardless, if you want to optimize your sphere of influence to the point where the content you provide will have the capability to affect audiences all over the world, social media is probably the most common, elementary way to begin. Provide the world with whatever you have to offer and build up your follower base, and your sphere of influence may grow larger than otherwise.
In this current era, an individual's internet presence is probably the most basic form of worldwide presence they can have, given how accessible it is to just about everyone with an internet connection. This shows how important it is to preserve and grow it, if one is to express and promote whatever agenda they hold. Along other things, of course, such as building businesses and working on contributions to humanity.
The point of gaining influence is but a means to an end, rather than something that is the end itself. All the work you're doing on that regard can be used to make this world a better place to live in, by exchanging useful and practical ideas, like giving people more job opportunities, like building charity funds and so on. Your presence in this world can bring much good to this world as it can be bad. Focus on the good by contributing to people, and you will understand how growing your sphere of influence was useful for that intention in mind.
However, if you want to avoid infamy on the internet, even if such infamy will grow your recognition, you should avoid scandals as much as possible. Treat your critics fairly and with tolerance, and avoid being the world's next laughing stock. Even if by doing so you'll become more recognized, the world is less likely to take you seriously, which is an essential component of putting your message across.
Please distinguish between critics and haters. They are not the same, even if there are some exceptions. A critic may not even hate you. They can even sympathize with your efforts. A critic, thus, can criticize regardless of their emotions towards you. That's while a hater's interest is to spread their hatred through toxic behavior. Don't be insulted by criticism.
Only one of these two types is worthy of your time. Remember that.
There have, are, and will be many well-known people across the media who have nothing to offer the world other than being laughed at, even if that isn't their intention. Hence why I suggest you to dedicate time and effort into researching them and their content, and learn from their mistakes, so you won't become a laughingstock like they are, as your sphere of influence will grow and more and more people will be affected by whatever agenda you wish to promote. You cannot influence seriously if you are not taken seriously enough.
Lolcows, like Chris Chan, are such examples of highly known people online whose ability to be taken seriously, amounts to zero.
And to matter— of course — begins with thinking about what you wish to advocate for in the first place. Regardless of whatever stage you are in life, you possess the potential to advocate for whatever may lead to a brighter future; As long as you're influential enough, as long as your content is high quality, like a philosophy article, and as long as most of your audience will take you seriously.
Combine and work on these three conditions, and you might have the indirect potential to change the world's course of events, one follower at a time. Even if that change will be minor in comparison to changes made by the world's political leaders. Even if minor, it is probable that your content will help lead to a a better future, however that term may be defined reasonably.
My own vision is to give people a reason to live using philosophy, like it gave to me.
A final tip for your journey — try to avoid conflict as much as possible with other influencial bodies. Are you familiar with the "How dare you" speech Greta Thunberg made in the U.N.? In my opinion she could've put her message across without acting like a drama actor in a theater.
Act in a mature and respectful manner, and your content's reception will become more tolerated and respected as well, which in turn will increase the effectiveness of your delivery.
Also, avoid doing criminal activities like the infamous Onision or your work will forever be tainted by the world. When you become a public figure, it is far more difficult to lay low. That's the sacrifice of wanting to matter more.
Unfortunately, for my tips to be actualized, we must recognize the different potentials of other people for our cause, and do not overestimate them whether they are for us or against us. That would mean that some people may be worthier of our time, unlike others who may deserve it more. Try to think like them in order to better understand their motivations when interacting with you.
Making social errors on the world stage, like Ms. Thunberg in the U.N, is not the same as committing them in front of a random, "typical" individual. We can deduce from this that the relevance of different people is always relative.
We may be equals in some ways, but not in many other ways. Be your reasons for influence, whatever they may be -- you seek power nevertheless. I seek it only as a means to an end. And not for my own personal gain. And a person's worth can logically and practically be measured by their power. For their power can have an affect on us, and vice versa.
Power, whether direct or indirect by influence, will always be an asset one can rely on for different purposes. Don't let your influence corrupt you, and best of luck.
