In my 1 December blog, I introduced the Strauss-Howe Generational Theory. In last Friday’s blog, Simon Kuper linked the words “incompetence” to “generations”. In business, there is a phenomenon called the “3rd generation curse“. Time: “70% of wealthy families lose their wealth by the second generation, and a stunning 90% by the third, according to the Williams Group wealth consultancy.”
I think, feel and believe that Simon Kuper is right to link the words generations and incompetence. I have been struggling to explain the why. The answer came to me when I realised what is being transferred from generation to generation. My concept of the 7 Belief systems and its Knowledge and Power dimensions proved to be useful again.
After ample thought, there appears to be a big difference in generational transfers. It’s relatively easy to transfer Power (Money, Politics, Religion) from generation to generation. These transfers are often performed “automatically”, at birth (Religion), during life time (Political connections), and at death (Money).
Transfer of Knowledge (Philosophy, Science, the Truth) is much more complicated because it isn’t as tangible as the beliefs in the Power dimension. Knowledge is like intellectual property rights. We often aim to transfer Knowledge through education and upbringing. Our choice of friends as a child, teenager and young adult is often crucial for (the lack of) this transfer.
Excerpt of my 29 May 2017 blog: “Power without Knowledge is not lasting in history. Knowledge without Power isn’t sustainable either, as it tends to get lost in human history.” A successful generational cycle requires a transfer of both Knowledge and Power. Incompetency in our leaders may then be viewed as a mismatch between Power and Knowledge.
Donald Trump appears to be an excellent example: his family was successful in transferring Power (eg, Money) but unsuccessful in the transfer of Knowledge. The 45th President has been called a “fucking moron” by his own Secretary of State (eg, NY Magazine).
The element that may explain the successful transfer of Knowledge is Love, the 7th Belief system and perhaps the 3rd dimension, next to Knowledge and Power. The ancient Greeks differentiated 4 types of Love: Agápe (divine/spiritual), éros (romantic), philía (brotherly/sisterly), and storgē (parental). Parental and spiritual love might be crucial for being willing and able to receive Knowledge. Please also see my related 2017 blog: Love, the selfless belief (2).
Love, Knowledge and Power define a most powerful triangle in life. This triangle was already visible in my 15 July 2016 drawing (see default picture at the right of my blog). This triangle is represented by the 3 beliefs of Religion (Faith), Philosophy (Hope) and Love.
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13-13)
The Power Of Love (1984) by Frankie Goes To Hollywood
artists, lyrics, video, Wiki-1, Wiki-2
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