One of the purposes of commerce is to build strength. Gaining wealth gives us power, which is the ability to influence others. There are three main types of power: first, power gained through coercion or threats; second, power obtained through payment or inducement; and third, power gained through attraction. The power obtained through coercion, threats, payment, or inducement—that is, force or tactics—is called ‘hard power,’ while the power gained through ‘attraction’ without using force is called ‘soft power.’ Additionally, the ability to effectively achieve your goals using coercion, payment, and attraction is known as ‘smart power.’ Depending on the situation, we may need all three types; however, soft power is something that everyone admires. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”
In the 2009 Korean film ‘Castaway on the Moon,’ a character states, “Desire makes humans smarter.” This reflects the protagonist’s ingenuity in creating useful tools from discarded items to survive on a deserted island. While knowledge enhances human understanding, it is desire that turns that knowledge into practical applications. Maslow was among the first to focus on this concept of desire in social science research. Understanding and addressing desires essentially means understanding humanity. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”