The 50th Law (with 50 Cent)

“Accidental” behavior: People might talk of quitting some
addiction, or not working so damned hard, or staying away from a self-
destructive relationship. They then fall into the behavior they spoke of
trying to avoid, blaming it on an uncontrollable illness or dependency.
This salves their conscience for indulging their dark side; they simply
can’t help it. Ignore the justifications and see the Shadow operating
and releasing. Also remember that when people are drunk and behave
differently, often it is not the alcohol that is speaking but the Shadow.
Overidealization: This can serve as one of the most potent covers
for the Shadow. Let us say we believe in some cause, such as the
importance of transparency in our actions, particularly in politics. Or
we admire and follow the leader of just such a cause. Or we decide that
some new type of financial investment—mortgage-backed securities,
for instance—represents the latest and most sophisticated path to
wealth. In these situations we go much further than simple
enthusiasm. We are charged with powerful conviction. We gloss over
any faults, inconsistencies, or possible downsides. We see everything
in black-and-white terms—our cause is moral, modern, and
progressive; the other side, including doubters, is evil and reactionary.
We now feel sanctioned to do everything for the cause—lie, cheat,
manipulate, spy, falsify scientific data, get revenge. Anything the leader
does is justified. In the case of the investment, we feel justified in
taking what normally would be seen as great risks, because this time
the financial tool is different and new, not subject to the usual rules.
We can be as greedy as we like without worrying about the
consequences.
We tend to be dazzled by the strength of people’s convictions and
interpret excessive behavior as simply overzealousness. But we should
look at it in another light. By overidealizing a cause, person, or object,
people can give free rein to the Shadow. That is their unconscious
motivation. The bullying, the manipulations, the greed that comes out
for the sake of the cause or product should be taken at face value, the
overly strong conviction providing simple cover for repressed emotions
to play themselves out.
Related to this, in arguments people will use their powerful
convictions as a perfect way to disguise their desires to bully and
intimidate. They trot out statistics and anecdotes (which can always be
found) to buttress their case, then proceed to insult or impugn our

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integrity. It’s just an exchange of ideas, they say. Pay attention to the
bullying tone, and do not be fooled. Intellectuals might be subtler.
They will lord it over us with obscure language and ideas we cannot
decode, and we are made to feel inferior for our ignorance. In all cases,
see this as repressed aggression finding a way to leak out.