A Desire to Rule the World may be a Good Thing

Strategic video game improves critical cognitive skills in older adults. A desire to rule the world may be a good thing if you're over 60 and worried about losing your mental faculties. A new study found that adults in their 60s and 70s can improve a number of cognitive functions by playing a strategic video game that rewards nation-building and territorial expansion.

So go out and buy your folks or grandparents Rise of Nations for Xmas along with a copy of this article. It will improve their working memory, reasoning ability and short-term memory. And in the event that they don't compute... it would be a great way to introduce them to computers/internet.

[edit on 11-12-2008 by The All Seeing I]

BTS here you come.

but maybe i can turn this into a conspiracy for you! i bet any 60 year old's cognitive function could be improved by doing pretty much anything.

why why why didn't they test that eh?

reply to post by The All Seeing I


Personally I prefer games such as the Command and Conquer series as well as Age of Empires II and III. I would think this to be an excellent method for keeping your mind sharp, at least when playing against equal human opponents. Of course I would imagine things like are why games like chess are popular among older males.

Reviewing the game, i could see why they picked it for this particular demographic, of whom follow the news more closely and gravitate towards books and documentaries that reveal more in depth accounts of history.

As for conspiracy, the angle i was hoping to explore is whether or not the "desire to rule the world" is a fundamental universal hidden human need/wish. It could explain why we find ourselves moving toward world government... as well as why some of the most popular board games and video games have this concept built into them ie tycoon series, sims series, monopoly, risk etc.

[edit on 11-12-2008 by The All Seeing I]

I think all properly-installed persons want to live forever and become God...(and in that order)...and ruling the world, or even having forty billion dollars, would definitely put me a couple steps further along that path than I am right now...

I think this may also explain why the Dracula story has had such longevity. People never get tired of the theme. Immortality, money, knowledge, power over mortals... etc. Could this also explain why we are drawn to the superhero genre as well, for some of the exact same reasons?

[edit on 11-12-2008 by The All Seeing I]

reply to post by The All Seeing I


Hell yes, I would vampire up if they had a recruiting office at the strip mall...I just like being alive, everything is interesting, I'm too louche to know better and I want it to go on forever...
And the superhero thing also attaches to the same appeal, anything to transcend our small limited animal nature...I think in the future our bodies will be like cartoon character bodies, we like them because that's what we want, I'll assume the god-form of Wile E. Coyote and I won't have to worry when and if the neighbors drop anvils on my head...

I think you may have nailed something there with the cartoon, we are already very close to achieving this state of being. In coming full circle, this need for a sense of accomplishment/power whether it be in the real world or virtual, is what propels us to evolve or devolve, depending our your perspective. When you consider the amount of time/energy/effort for instance gamers pore into their virtual identities/characters in a game such as WoW, it becomes abundantly clear that this hidden desire to "master", "conquer" or "rule" is so ingrained in us. Even on endeavors that show even less return on ones assets (time, energy, effort, money), plenty of people who enter a casino with one objective in mind... "to beat the house". Another angle to this game we play even in our afterlife; if you walk through any cemetery and you'll notice who has the largest most ornate tombstones, most likely you won't recognize their names but they all want you to know that they were here, same could be said for many living memorials, such as a wing of a hospital or museum being named after a wealthy donor. This ego driven need to compete, to be heard, to dominate, to be admired, i think pushes us to improve ourselves and the world around us, but can also lead to our destruction (ie addiction and war).

[edit on 12-12-2008 by The All Seeing I]

In reflecting on the video games that mimic the "dog eat dog" world of capitalism. ie tycoon series, monopoly etc... it occurred to me that "Wall Street" is a similar game in this genre...

For CEOs, thirst for bonuses may be in their DNA

Why do CEOs need extravagant perks even when they are firing staff and pleading for taxpayer bailouts? It may just be in their makeup, experts say.

It takes arrogance and narcissism to become leader of a Fortune 500 company. Those same traits, however, have become their undoing during the deepest recession in decades.

So on this social-economic-darwinistic reflection of "A Desire to Rule the World may be a Good Thing"... we can see it's good for the individual but not necessarily for those in society who are in a weaker position... which unfortunately includes the bulk of us.

[edit on 30-1-2009 by The All Seeing I]

I do think - to truly want to rule the world - you do need to be genetically inclined to be narcissistic.

However, any below average intelligence fool can have that trait.

Since intelligence is often positively corellated with empathy - what happens is you find ignorant, machevellian, narcissists going after traditional aveneus of power (corporate and political) - while intelligent narcissist's tend to try and "fix" the world for everyone like Dean Kamen.

Since, as we know, there are by definition fewer Humans of above average intelligence in society - you end up with most traditional powerful roles in society being filled with ignorant, or at the very least self-interested, narcissist's.

Now Plato - way back - basically said if we could get an intelligent, empathetic, narcissist as our absolute ruler - then that would be the ideal form of Human organization or Governence.

However mortality undermines this potentially ideal heirarchy by eventually displacing the "Benevolent King" with small minded, self-interested, narcissistic children of his own bloodline.

Historically this has been proven in Europe time and time again.

However - as we approach the technological singularity - we may be near the crossroads where mortality may, in fact, be remover from the cycle.

Therefore the idea and ideal of a "Benevelonet World Ruler" becomes relevant again - history no longer needs to repeat itself - and taht is especially important now that we have the technology to destroy the world.

I would gladly accept the role of that leader - as my genetic prediposition makes me ideal for the role - however I have another plan that Plato could not have concieved of.

I propose we create a genetically modified, highly intelligent and empathetic bureaucratic class - somewhat similar to the Alpha's of Brave New World - who would be competent enough to maintain their power in the government - and who would rule by comittee - ensuring that no one essential leader could be eliminated by mere assasination.

These Alpha's - not unlike the "clones" in Star Wars would have no ambition to exploit the citizens but would rather be naturally rewarded by their sense of accomplisment in efficently serving society as a whole.

(their genetic predisposistion gives them dopamine releases for problem solving and serving others so they naturally feel content to do so)

Imho - either we develop a bureaucratic class such as this - or surely we will end up being ruled by a Scientifc Tyranny by either a self-serving, small, narcissistic ellite - or an autocratic AI of our own creation.

The choice is ours - but remarkably - I have found few who are open to such an enlightened idea.



[edit on 30-1-2009 by TruthMagnet]

Brilliant proposal MT...

what if we came up with a filter system, that people would have to go through in order to be considered for such leadership positions? To avoid the whole hangup that people have on eugenics... the focus should be on the evidence/symptoms/characteristics of such a genetic makeup. A filter consisting of a battery of approaches that thoroughly reviews a person's past and present in evidence of the right mix of intelligence/empathy/narcissism.

The All Seeing I,

Thanks - and I am glad you ask that - because you are quite correct it would neither be prudent or technically practical to apply the proper Eugenic solution to this problem of Governence overnight.

Indeed I envision the first several ruling administrations would be made of natural born individuals who, after sufficent genetic and pshychological screening, fit the proper genotype for the bureaucrats that we need to create an ideal world administration - that would then serve as a tool for Humanity to live up to it's fullest potential as an enlightened, unified, space faring race.

I do believe, ultimately, that the Eugenic solution will ultimately be better because individuals created in this way would not have improper, and potentially ethically compromising, attachments to a family unit.

It is probably necessary that they should created without the ability to concieve - and they should only be allowed to adopt if they chose to forever be inelligible for further Govt. work.

Other legal restrictions of interacting with citizens may also be necessary - but for the genotype I imagine - I don't think these will be servants who are uncomfotable with their intended purpose (again similar to the clones of the Star Wars mythos)

And, of course, redundant vetting systems will be in place in case unexpected variances in behavior occur - just like we now fire individuals who for whatever reason become unable to uphold their various jobs duties.

And again, while som people may believe this is an extremist solution to our current problems, when weighed against the high risk of Humans falling into a permanent, highly controlled, scientific dystopia - I think it is by far the best possible solution.

Over time we may later be able to wax philosophically with other off world species - who I wager will more often that not taken the more straight forward hive approach to leadership - but as an Individualist myself, I find our solution far more intellectually satisfying - if somewhat less efficient.

"Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder."
~ George Washington

What if we made the leadership, all government elected positions, be purely a monk like existence. Zero material perks outside of the necessities and outside of the position. This way no one could be bought or sold. Anyone who had the intelligence/narcissism/empathy genetic mix would naturally be drawn to such a high-profile yet modest position... to serve the common good without any other option/expectation for personal gain... other then publicity/recognition for a job well done.

As for the private sector, there should be a salary/incentive/benefits cap.

[edit on 30-1-2009 by The All Seeing I]

TASI,

Yes your right - I do think they could be considered almost a monk like class - however it might not be prudent to codify them like that - as it make bring unwelcome idolization of them - even if they did not seek it.

As far as adding restrictions to the private sector - I would think the world administration should have only very well defined, limited powers - so they would probably only step in if some companies tried to corner essential human resources such as food, water, or land.

While Humanity will likely never achieve a true Utopia - I really believe that by efficent resource distribution and a re-channeling our agressive nature (into various real and virtual competitions) - we can really enter in to a New Rennisance of Mankind.

And, eventually, we will learn to make efficient conversions between energy and matter - so as to make resourse competition nearly irrelevant for our species.

I mean, we've tried our tribal ways of letting the most aggresive, self serving individuals rule atop the heirarchy - and that was useful for a time - but isn't it time we put the smartest and most generous individuals in control of the worlds resources.

The "sheeple" will never understand the elegance of this solution - for they are creatures of near totall emotion - but they need not fully understand - it is time the Intellectual, benevolent, narricstic elite took things into their own hands.

Once we get the ball rolling their will be no one strategically sophisticated enough to stop us!

Kudos and bravo...

though i think to go to such lengths might be overkill, we have leadership out there that shows with some tweaking and revamping of certain areas of our government, more individuals of this caliber could rise to the top and flourish when they get there... instead of being sidelined, silenced and censored.

Out of the pool of candidates from this past election... nader, paul, gravel & kucinich come to mind as leadership with the right mix.

A couple tweaks that come to mind, that would remove the filter/control of the puppet masters;
outlaw lobbying
abolish the fed reserve
public financed elections
corporate media not allowed to cover candidates or accept advertising
mandatory education for voters on the issues and candidates
make voting more accessible/easier (weekend/holiday/paid-day-off)
public officials may not have dual citizenship with a country receiving military aid

TASI,

I am in many ways agreed with you - and I do think certain individuals, nader, paul, gravel & kucinich, included - would already have the Genotype to be considered for this "New World Administration".

However, I, after long consideration, believe the system in the West is fundamentally broken and cannot be restored short of a complete revolution.

I am certainly not promoting a bloody coup, but if a President of true conscience could get into power, he could declare Martial Law - repeal the 16th and 17th Amendment - repeal the Federal reserve Act - and disolve the pervasive spy apparatus that has taken control of America, and by extension the Western World.

I see no other way - short of a true revolution - that can bring this reform about.

Trying to get a popular majority to vote in candidates that are good for them would be impossible - as the education and media systems have been completely compromised - and scientificly perfected control of the average western citizen is already in effect.

I am cautiously optimistic that a popular revolution could occur if a paradigm chaning technology (or event) were to occur - but in the meantime I think the intellectual, empathetic, ellite must attempt to take control of the organizing systems on this planet.

We have stood by far too long already.

[edit on 3-2-2009 by TruthMagnet]

Have you noticed how long authoritarian leaders - the ones who aren't bumped off by their enemies - live? Mao, Kim Il Sung, Castro, Lee Kuan Yu, Pinochet all stayed healthy and potent long after lesser men were wrapping themselves in travel rugs and diapers in hopes of staving off the Grim Reaper.

Only TruthMagnet, who has clearly being playing World Leader Pretend for many years already, is likely to be able to mount a successful challenge to these venerable old monsters in the Big Marathon.

Astyanax,

Ahh - but the real challenge is not just to destroy old monsters - which as you know is a common occurance in history - but rather to destroy a Monsterous system - without becoming a Monster yourself.



THAT is something the World has Yet to See!





[edit on 3-2-2009 by TruthMagnet]

It all depends on a) who the "ruler" is, b) what "rules" he or she promulgates (b1) shared cultural values, (b2) citizen representation, etc.

reply to post by TruthMagnet

Well, good luck to you. Your 'monstrous system' is just human nature, so any attempt to improve things that does not respect basic biological imperatives (which some people call, in a kind of shorthand, the seven deadly sins) is doomed to fail.

Liberal democracy accommodates these imperatives, which is why it works so well.