What would the ring tempt you with?

[alatar]

Originally Posted by skip spence

It doesn't. Applying the methods of natural sciences on human relations is a huge mistake. I suppose the modernists were first to make make that mistake, and although it should be clear by now it was a terrible idea, politicians and social engineers show no sign of giving it up.

I'm not giving up as well. Force someone to do something, and you build up opposite forces expressed as resentment. I see this at work sometimes in raising children. Force them to do something, and they will sandbag and resent the task and the tasker. Continue to do this and eventually, when given the chance, they will flee (not that that's a bad thing some times ) when they cannot fight back.

How much better to engage them, make them feel that they aren't being forced into doing something. Chances are that you end up with children that take the initiative and do things without being forced more often than otherwise.

Haha, as you probably guessed, I was thinking more along the lines of jealously guarding over your young supermodel wife and less about for the umpteenth time having to listen to what Debbie or Paula said at work and how that made someone feel and yada yada...

So you use the Ring to get the supermodel spouse/slave, and yet you are already unnerved that she might be thinking about straying.

Sounds like you're already on that slippery slope of having a mouthful of ashes (to randomly mix metaphors or something). I'd advise sleeping with a dagger under the pillow, just in case.

How better to win a spouse without a Ring, and then know that he/she is with you for you by their own free will, and not due to some force or trickery.

[skip spence]

Originally Posted by alatar

I'm not giving up as well. Force someone to do something, and you build up opposite forces expressed as resentment. I see this at work sometimes in raising children. Force them to do something, and they will sandbag and resent the task and the tasker. Continue to do this and eventually, when given the chance, they will flee (not that that's a bad thing some times ) when they cannot fight back.

How much better to engage them, make them feel that they aren't being forced into doing something. Chances are that you end up with children that take the initiative and do things without being forced more often than otherwise.

Ah, I see what you are saying. Instead of using overt force you fool them into thinking that the initiative to do what you want them to do actually comes from they themselves. Nice.

So you use the Ring to get the supermodel spouse/slave, and yet you are already unnerved that she might be thinking about straying.

Well yes, and why wouldn't she? I'm paranoid, possessive and not pretty to look at. But she'd better not if she knows what's good for her!

Sounds like you're already on that slippery slope of having a mouthful of ashes (to randomly mix metaphors or something). I'd advise sleeping with a dagger under the pillow, just in case.

Why? What have you heard? Better keep an eye on you too...

How better to win a spouse without a Ring, and then know that he/she is with you for you by their own free will, and not due to some force or trickery.

But what if you can't al, what if you fear that you are unable... That's the thing, isn't it? We all have something we want but can't have. The ruling Ring, whether we see it as a fictional object or a metaphor for real life power, may give you the means of obtaining that something which you crave for.

[alatar]

Originally Posted by skip spence

Ah, I see what you are saying. Instead of using overt force you fool them into thinking that the initiative to do what you want them to do actually comes from they themselves. Nice.

Ever read about Tom Sawyer?

Well yes, and why wouldn't she? I'm paranoid, possessive and not pretty to look at. But she'd better not if she knows what's good for her!

Ick!

Why? What have you heard? Better keep an eye on you too...

That would be good advise...I'm usually up to something, but the question is...what?

But what if you can't al, what if you fear that you are unable... That's the thing, isn't it? We all have something we want but can't have. The ruling Ring, whether we see it as a fictional object or a metaphor for real life power, may give you the means of obtaining that something which you crave for.

So we're motivated by the fear of something we don't have under our control? Problem is, as I've seen it, is the more you control, the more you need to control. Saruman tried to control his situation, and we see in the 'Voice' chapter that he tried to control everyone present, but that he couldn't control everybody and everything. And again, though he had Worm like a puppet, the puppet finally cut more than just his strings.

Think that you'd sleep better if you left the Ring on the road, and accepted what just is.

[The Might]

I know what the Ring would tempt me with in the short term - good grades in the coming exams.