"Everything is judged by its appearance; what is unseen counts for nothing. Never let yourself get lost in the crowd, then, or buried in oblivion." — Robert Greene
Would you rather be hated or ignored?
Most people would say "ignored" because they fear conflict.
But in the game of power, being ignored is Death. If you are ignored, you have no influence, no money, and no power.
In Part 6 of The 48 Laws of Power series, we discuss Law #6: Court Attention at All Cost. This is the law of the Celebrity, the Politician, and the Billionaire. It teaches you that bad publicity is infinitely better than no publicity.
1. The Man Who Monetized Attention
P.T. Barnum (the greatest showman) understood this law better than anyone.
The Brick Man Stunt
One day, Barnum hired a beggar. He gave him 5 bricks. He told him:
"Walk in a circle. Place a brick at every corner. Do this silently. Do not answer any questions."
The Result: Within an hour, hundreds of people gathered to watch this "madman." They followed him. Where did the circle end? At the entrance of Barnum's Museum.
Barnum converted that free crowd into paying customers. He created a spectacle out of nothing.
Lesson: People are drawn to the unusual like moths to a flame. Be the flame.
2. Why Controversy is Cash
We are taught to be modest. "Don't show off." "Keep your head down."
Robert Greene says this is a lie invented by the powerful to keep you weak.
The Truth:
• If newspapers attack you, people know your name.
• If people mock you, they are thinking about you.
• If you are "Nice" and "Quiet," no one cares.
P.T. Barnum used to write anonymous letters to newspapers attacking himself calling his own show a "fraud."
Why? Because the controversy made people curious. "Is it a fraud? Let me go and check." He profited from his own bad publicity.
3. The Second Way: Mystery
You don't always have to be loud (like Barnum or Trump). You can be mysterious (like Da Vinci or Warhol).
How to be Mysterious:
• Don't explain everything.
• Do unpredictable things.
• Keep your private life hidden.
When you are mysterious, people fill in the gaps with their imagination. They talk about you. They create legends about you.
"Why does he always wear black?" "Where does he go on weekends?"
This curiosity is a form of attention. It gives you an aura of power.
4. Real-Life Examples (Indian Context)
Ashneer Grover (Doglapan)
Before Shark Tank India, Ashneer was a successful but unknown founder.
On the show, he was rude, blunt, and controversial ("Yeh sab doglapan hai").
People hated him. Memes mocked him.
The Result: He became the most famous business personality in India. His book became a bestseller. He courted attention at the cost of being "liked," and it paid off massively.
Urfi Javed (The Visual Shock)
You may find her fashion weird. You may laugh at her.
But she understands Law #6 perfectly.
She knows that in a crowded Instagram feed, "Normal" is invisible. So she wears wires, glass, and sacks.
She forces you to look. And because you look, brands pay her. She converted "Ridicule" into "Revenue."
5. Stop Blending In
If you are an employee or a business owner, blending in is dangerous.
- Dress Differently: Don't wear the exact same grey suit as everyone else. Add a detail that stands out.
- Hold a Controversial Opinion: Don't just agree with the boss. Have a unique (but backed up) point of view.
- Create a Signature Style: Steve Jobs had the black turtleneck. What is your signature?
Key Takeaways
- Invisibility is Death: If they don't know you, they can't promote you or buy from you.
- Attack the Sensational: Don't be shy. Attach your name to big, controversial, or exciting things.
- Mystery is Magnetic: If you can't be loud, be mysterious. Make them wonder.
- Polarize: Don't try to please everyone. If 50% love you and 50% hate you, you are a star. If 100% think you are "okay," you are nobody.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Won't bad attention hurt my career?
A: It depends. Illegal attention (fraud) hurts. But "Opinionated" attention usually helps. It shows you have a spine. Most people are forgotten; you will be remembered.
Q2: I am an introvert. Can I use this?
A: Yes. Use the "Mystery" strategy. Or use your work to scream for you. Banksy (the artist) is anonymous, yet he courts massive attention through his art.
Q3: Is this narcissism?
A: It is Marketing. In a world of 8 billion people, you are competing for eyeballs. You can call it narcissism, or you can call it survival.
Up next: Part 7 – Get Others to Do the Work for You (Law #7).
📚 Credit & Disclaimer:
This post is a summary based on the bestseller "The 48 Laws of Power" by Robert Greene. Content is for educational purposes only.
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