How to Think Like a Competent Villain

(Philosocom's Directory on Competency)

Article Synopsis by Mr. O. C. Isaac and Co.

"How to Think Like a Competent Villain" is an insightful exploration of the importance of long-term thinking and wisdom. The article uses the metaphor of a "villain" to emphasize the importance of foresight and strategic thinking, engaging readers through relatable and intriguing concepts.

The central thesis emphasizes that focusing on long-term consequences leads to better decision-making and learning from past mistakes to avoid repeating them.

The article uses examples like Scar from "The Lion King" and Professor Ratigan from "The Great Mouse Detective" to illustrate how overlooking small details can lead to significant failures. The philosophical depth of the piece delves into deeper discussions about wisdom, rationality, and the human condition, encouraging readers to engage in self-reflection and continuous self-improvement.

In conclusion, "How to Think Like a Competent Villain" is a compelling article that offers valuable insights into the importance of long-term thinking and wisdom.

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Part 1: Personal Reflections and Insights

Cultivating Wisdom for a Fulfilling Life

One has the ability to cultivate long-term thinking, as with any other skill in life. Every single step we take in life has its own consequences. The wisdom is to be able to detect these implications, so we will be far better at making decisions. 

Focusing solely on immediate gains traps us in a cycle of repeating avoidable mistakes. Without learning from our missteps, even long-term thinking becomes ineffective.  The key lies in actively analyzing our experiences. By doing so, we enhance our decision-making, fostering wisdom and ultimately, becoming more competent thinkers.

And the point of competent thinking is to increase our chances of getting our desired results, and less outcomes that we may regret of, unnecessarily. As such, the improvement of our intellect can bring much benefit to us and others, and reduce unnecessary suffering as well, that originates from avoidable mistakes.

One of the primary reasons I engage in philosophical discourse is to enhance my rationality, not to display it in arrogance. When you lose much emotion as a result of traumatic experiences with the world, you might also lose certain filters that can only be restored through a strong intellect. Therefore, intellectual growth becomes essential, ensuring that neither myself nor others suffer needlessly.

Preserving Sanity for the Greater Good

No one needs to be my victim, because no one needs to suffer unnecessarily by my increased lack of emotion, and new-founded ruthlessness, against those who are too impulsive to think for the long-term. After all, I force myself to live in the name of my clan and in the name of working on Philosocom. There is little that is fully voluntary in anything I do, and none has any reason to stand in the way of someone who is dead inside. 

The point of working on Philosocom and maintaining my sanity is to remain alive, so others won't suffer in my absence from this world.

I refuse to succumb to the hands of adversity if I can prevent such an occurrence, particularly if it threatens to traumatize my mental well-being. Why in the world would I want enemies that would purposefully oppose me? Perhaps some of you share this sentiment. I strive to learn from any source to enhance my wisdom and ensure the safety of my life and my plans.

I philosophize as much as I learn because I know that without knowledge and without wisdom, I remain, by default, far more flawed. And it is illogical to want to be unnecessarily flawed in a world that can ruthlessly punish you for it.

I aspire to become a wiser individual, so I won't commit actions I would regret making, and also, to make better choices. I seek wisdom not by blindly embracing day-to-day experiences but by adopting a strategic approach, like to a chess player planning their moves in a calculated manner. Long term-thinking increases likelihood of success.

Every decision we make can be fortified by wisdom, achieved through careful consideration and planning. This principle applies universally. Every piece of information, no matter how seemingly insignificant, holds the potential to securable the decision-maker and their assets, from self-inflicted, regrettable outcomes.

I do permit myself to make minor mistakes, as they serve as valuable lessons in understanding how to prevent them and why avoidance is required. It's called testing, experimentation. Empiricism.

The Concealed Path to Wisdom

 You will never fully know these mistakes. I will not let you. I remain in mystery for a reason. And only I know what goes on in my subconscious, which I visited during my meditations.

Part 2: Distilling Wisdom From External Case Examples

Lessons from Mistakes and Cartoons

Having made numerous mistakes throughout my life, I have dedicated myself to meticulously examining and avoiding such missteps, so I won't make them again, and so that others won't suffer unnecessarily because of me (and vice versa).

I observe the world around me from the sanctuary of my mental hermitage, engage in conversations with both familiar and unfamiliar individuals, and even immerse myself in children's cartoons to better comprehend how to avoid replicating the foolishness of these comical characters. 

Villains hold a particular fascination for me, as they often succumb to failure in the pursuit of preventing the hero's victory. While some villains may be successful in achieving their objectives, their victories are often fleeting, like the short time I ever knew my late ancestor. The villain's destructive nature is one that can destruct his own path by making mistakes he or she could've not made, thus ensuring the length and benefit of their accomplishments.

How Short-Sighted Villainy Leads to Mighty Falls

Scar from "The Lion King" stands as a rare exception among classic Disney villains, successfully ascending to the throne through deception and manipulation. However, his reign was cut short due to his failure to personally eliminate his nephew, Simba, who ultimately overthrew him. Scar's fatal flaw lay in his reliance on his dim-witted henchmen, the Hyena Clan, to execute Simba. While the reasons behind his inaction remain misunderstood, his decision proved fatal to his regime, years on later, as Simba became an adult. The Hyenas where too overconfident, and underestimated the fact that Simba may be vengeful for the death of his father.

Similarly, Professor Ratigan, the antagonist from another Disney film, "The Great Mouse Detective," committed a crucial error by failing to ensure the demise of his arch-nemesis, the detective Basil. Instead of decisively eliminating Basil, Ratigan merely trapped him in a mouse trap, from which he managed to escape. In this case as well, the villain underestimated the ability of the hero to escape the murder attempt.

The Snowball Effect of Oversights

Do you perceive the pattern? Villains often fall victim to overlooked mistakes, which ultimately lead to their downfall. This analogy resembles a snowball, where a single misstep can transform a harmless snowball into a formidable force, capable of derailing your plans and aspirations. The very thing that can lead to your downfall was once a minor setback you failed in seeing its dangerous potential.

The principles governing one domain can undoubtedly be applied to various facets of life, including seemingly juvenile subjects such as children's cartoons. This is where fiction can indeed be taught from when some of its content can be applied to real life. Other than that, it's a poor teacher of reality. 

Final Part: What Prevents Us From the Success of Our Plans

The Wise Path: Prioritizing Growth

I firmly believe that the freedom of expression (although it has its perks), impulsivity, and even hedonism serve as excuses for neglecting one's potential for intellectual growth. While freedom of expression constitutes a fundamental right in a democratic society, impulsivity represents a personality trait, and hedonism embodies a philosophical perspective ----- none of these factors have to diminish our inherent capacity for wisdom, which is defined by making calculated, per-the-plan choices.

All of the 3 concepts have one thing in common: They can stand in our way from being wiser. All because of something called desire. The fact that we desire to do something, does not mean we should do it, if said desire has the power to diminish our own ambitions. Examining our desires is therefore imperative in order to understand the gravitation of the actions that may follow.

Why We Shouldn't Run from Our Problems, and Rise Above Current Disappointments, Instead

Many of us seek to escape from our problems, or at least attempt to do so. While certain situations and entities, such as encountering a bear in the wilderness, call for avoidance, it does not negate our ability to effectively manage inevitable challenges in general.

When you are willing to do what it takes for a goal to be accomplished, carrying out tasks can be far easier. We can learn to cope with difficult people, financial setbacks, illnesses, and disabilities. Even if some issues are unavoidable, I firmly believe that we all possess the capacity for improvement.

The key lies in commitment. When we are truly committed to a goal, seemingly daunting tasks become manageable steps along the way.  This commitment fuels a growth mindset, where we view challenges as opportunities to learn and improve.  With this perspective, we can develop the skills necessary to cope with a wide range of obstacles.

“In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment.” The Renaissance Blog

The Art of Navigation, Fueled by Belief in Oneself and In Humanity

Life throws a variety of problems and challenges our way: difficult people, financial setbacks, illnesses, and even disabilities.  However, these are not unsolvable, so don't victimize yourself. By developing coping mechanisms and unleashing our inner genius, we can learn to navigate these difficulties with greater ease.

For instance, when faced with a challenging personality, emotional intelligence strategies can help us manage interactions and minimize conflict. Financial setbacks may necessitate greater wisdom in finances. Illness often requires a combination of medical treatment and lifestyle adjustments. And for those living with disabilities, a focus on unique techniques and assistive technologies can significantly improve quality of life.

Think for the long term not just for success, but for a vision of a better life.

My faith in humanity extends to my own self-belief. I may be continously disappointed, as I should be, but I refuse to give in to petty generalizations.

It is counterproductive to harbor feelings of love for an individual who has repeatedly rejected your advances and is currently in a committed relationship. It is counterproductive to yearn for a past that will never return. It is far productive to work for a world you want to live in. To devise a plan, and demonstrate it, until its application has dominated your world, other people's world....

Or Earth itself.