Do You Know Who I Am … Cause I Don’t Even Know Who Am I!

In Chapter Five, everything revolves around decorum. What is really that strange word, decorum? Where does it come from? “The ancient Romans coined a word to describe this kind of character-based agreeability: decorum.” It is having the proper manners and conduct to fit in. According to Kenneth Burke, it is the simplest tool for persuasion. This is because, when you get your audience to identify with you, you gain credibility and the audience enters a comfort- trustworthy state.

Decorum is basically what we have to live by to survive. Even though, many people say they don’t care what people think about them, the truth is everyone does. Some show it more than others, but let’s face it we live in a disapproving society. A society was you can’t reveal your true self, for you are expected to behave a certain way, in order to succed and not be criticized. In the end, we do have feelings, which are what makes us be concerned about our reputation.

Many people think they are weak, because they care what people think, yet this is not a matter of weak and brave, it is a matter of doing whatever it is needed to succeed. Countless people, want to themselves as being brave, by saying they don’t care what others think about them, but at the end what are they gaining? Yes, there different, but being different isn’t always good. I mean yes, you have to have personality, but stay within the standards of society. Nevertheless, one out of many actually impose a change by being different. I’m not saying don’t risk it, for you could be that one, but balance your consequences, is it really worth it?

Therefore, what is the definition of right and wrong? There is none. Society and the environment you live in put up rules and traditions, which make you believe something is wrong or right. What wrong to you may seem right to me. Making right and wrong undefined. It is what others make you believe.

Living in this world, is not that easy, for people always criticize us for either not being ourselves or because the way we really are. It is crazy, if we act as ourselves people may dislike us, but if we don’t, then they tells us why do we always have to wear a mask to hide, who we really are. “When in Rome, do as the Romans do; but when you are not in Rome doing as the Romans do might get you into trouble.” This quote explains the confusing chaotic society we belong to. Here a right thing doesn’t even exist!

We are never going to please everybody, which is why most of us do what the majority has accepted. When they show the example of bumper sticker on the car “You own the car, but it owns your job.” Perfectly explains how we are free to de indecorous, but it will bring consequences. We can do whatever we want, but indirectly certain things restrain us from doing it, meaning the word “free” is just an illusion.

We live in such a superficial material world, that even what we wear affects how a person will treat you. This is best explained by, when Joe says “Look for the guy with the best shoes, but don’t buy the shoes. Buy the colors.” This basically means if you wear or follow what is the trend and stay in the range, you will be accepted in society. To me one word can describe it ridiculous. Yet, it’s cruel reality.

So, really who are we? That is a tough question most of us can’t answer because we have been so many different persons, we really don’t know which one is the real us. We have had to act accordingly and change depending to the public or situation for years. We have adapted to a fake us. We have lost our essence, just because we have to fit in.

“A good politician changes his language, behavior, and even his dress to suit the expectations of particular audiences.” Today we may vote for him, but maybe tomorrow he’s not the one we voted for. Think about it… our role model today may not be the same tomorrow.

In Chapter six, it also talks about more tools on becoming a credible leader. The author can not stress any more how appearance is so important. This is why I believe you should trust no one but yourself. There are some great actors out there.

In order to persuade someone, the most important points are to get your audience to like you and trust you. In order to get there, the author teaches us three techniques from Aristotle: virtue, practical wisdom, and selfness.

These three techniques basically boil to the same main point, of portraying yourself. How the audience wants you to be. “You don’t even have to do what your heart knows is right; you simply must be seen to have the “right” values- your audience values that is.” Since, values vary from person to person, nothing is ever right, it’s just a point of view. Therefore, to persuade someone you need to agree with them to make them feel comfortable. “You want to look like a good person- “good” that is in their eyes.” Persuading someone has a lot of appearance and fakeness to it, sadly but truly it is the most effective method.

So, next time someone tries to persuade you, really try to find out what is it that you want and who are you. Don’t let others play with your mind and make you believe, you want something you really don’t. Always remember “It can spring from a truly noble person or be faked by the skillful rhetorician. Rhetoric is an agnostic art; it requires more adaptation than righteous.” Arguing is the art of denigrating the facts and truly finding yourself. So, don’t let that temporary trustworthiness fool you. Yet, use it as a tool while persuading.

Persuading to me sounds like a terrible crime, but hey we live in this world and we all need to survive some way or another. I am not saying you should kill to get what you want, don’t get me wrong, but use other methods like the ones explained above. They are not morally correct. Yet, once again what really is morally correct? I guess there is only one theory to explain this: Survival of the Fittest. It’s human nature.