Exploiting People To Grow Yourself

[Himanshu]

But Leo, what about the people I really admire? Somebody I'd love to be in the position of? This is not jealousy, pure respect and admiration.

Let me illustrate with this point: I'm a recent Architecture graduate and I really enjoy the kind of person Rem Koolhaas is. I've read and watched all I could find on him. He has built many controversial yet thoughtful projects and grown significantly after starting off as a writer and starting his firm OMA as a 31 year old. Now he's 72 and still relentless in his work. He runs his office like a powerhouse where all ideas are pooled and exhausted until an interesting and feasible solution is derived. He considers himself as much a writer as an Architect. He carries a certain detachment from his work and considers himself irresponsible with money, which is a quality that allows him to be experimental with his work. When I think about what I would be if I could be anything, I'd be an Architect like him - an objective thinker with relentless work ethics who is able to think abut the future without betraying the present.

I realize that I admire the 'image' of him I've in my mind, and his life certainly has more aspects that I'm not aware of.

On the other hand, would I be betraying myself by following him? How should I go about it?

Edited July 2, 2017 by Himanshu
Removed interview excerpt

[Lou7]

It's only my advice so take it with caution: Follow the image that you have of him in your mind if you're finding it resourceful and go with that for as long as you will start to notice some aspects that are backfiring or things that are causing problems in your case, then adjust to them - tinker, modify and again go along with a new version.

Rinse.

Repeat.

You won't be betraying yourself because even if you don't want it your version of him will be modified by your circumstances.

[Emerald]

Exploitation means to victimize someone for your own gain. So, slavery is an example of exploitation as is human trafficking. Hiring child laborers or paying poverty wages are also examples of exploitation. What you're referring to is not exploitation but admiration. It's okay to be inspired by other people, but you must also bring your own stuff to the table. 

[Himanshu]

Thanks for your input @Emerald, I'm aware of the literal meaning of exploitation. This was in reference to Leo's video in which he covers observing people and 'That's not someone I want to be' realizations. 

[Himanshu]

@Lou7Thanks for the advice. I'm filtering down and pinpointing the qualities that I admire and moving on with this.

[Loreena]

@Himanshu great post.  It's like following someone's example. That's how it should be and not jealousy. 

Having a role model in life is essential. 

A very thoughtful post. 

 

[Himanshu]

Thank you @Loreena I wonder why this hasn't been covered by @Leo Gura  He might have an explanation for this. 

[Soulbass]

The "image" of him you admire is maybe just a projection, not the "real" Rem Koolhaas.

That would mean the person you admire is part of who you are already.

Edited July 4, 2017 by Soulbass

[Visitor]

On 7/2/2017 at 7:23 PM, Himanshu said:

... would I be betraying myself by following him? How should I go about it?

Rem Koolhass is following his full potential.

Follow Rem Koolhass in the same way by following your full potential.

[Himanshu]

13 hours ago, Visitor said:

Rem Koolhass is following his full potential.

Bingo!

 

14 hours ago, Soulbass said:

That would mean the person you admire is part of who you are already.

It was never the person, always the qualities.

[RichardY]

In its basest form, wouldn't exploitation be cannibalism? 

"And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed" Proverbs 5:11/ Doom II

Perhaps being addicted to or encouraging people to become addicted to something maybe far worse than slavery. Effectively destroying their soul and your own.

I mean with slavery the slaves are an asset to the slave-owner. Their fortunes are bound.

With a wage aren't you effectively taking a calculated bet that the market productivity will be in excess of the wage. 

Heard that in India when Oxfam campaigned to ban Child Labour, many children ended up in prostitution.