The Sword of Damocles

Are you familiar with this one? The Sword of Damocles has reference to a supporter of the King of Syracuse. This supporter, named Damocles, often boasted of how wonderful it must be to be king. The king decided to allow Damocles to sit on his throne and enjoy a king's life for a day. At first, Damocles really enjoyed himself. But then he noticed that right above the throne a sword was suspended by a single horse hair. All of a sudden, the chair wasn't so comfortable any more, the food lost it's taste, and Damocles began to understand that those in positions of authority are often under great pressure to perform - or else.

This story is often used to point out the danger that people in authority are in. This danger may come from those who are around them, jealous of the power (or supposed power). It may come from arrogance (or ignorance) on the part of the powerful. And it may come from circumstances beyond the control of those in authority, and the reactions of others to the perceived actions and reactions of the authorities.

One of the greatest dangers and sins of the ancient Greeks was hubris. Hubris, which may be defined as arrogance or excessive self-aggrandizement (beta pride). Hubris is not only concerned with being better, but in being better than others. It is also the feelings of resentment towards those who are successful. People who suffer from hubris may soon find themselves victims to those they lorded over. People who suffer from envy may find their lives bitter and unfulfilled.

On the other hand, there is a pride which is mainly internal, a satisfaction with one's own performance (not position). This is referred to as alpha pride. This pride is not puffed-up, but a general feeling of satisfaction and pleasure that comes as a result of a job well-done. The achievement of a goal long sought is one of the things that may lead to this kind of pride. This pride is not concerned with being better than others, rather in improving one's own lot and performance. Whether one wins or loses is less important than how one performed compared to one's prior attempts. These kinds of people find themselves fulfilled and satisfied with their lives, while constantly looking to improve themselves to be better (it sounds contradictory, but I think you know what I mean...)

There is a kind of arrogance which can pervade the development community. It comes from developers who are only seeking the profit, from City staff who think they know more than the community members, and from elected or appointed officials who are defending the cause of the common man... It is against this kind of hubris that we must struggle. It will be long, but must go on.