The Dark Side

It has been said that the best revenge is living well. I, however, shall introduce to you, for the first time in writing, my theory about the nature of revenge. Years ago, while drinking coffee, I suddenly had a thought. I don't know where it came from, but here is what occured to me on that fateful day: "We all want what we've never had, and revenge for not having it". After giving this idea much contemplation, I began to see the merit behind this simple truth. As good natured, innocent, pure, sympathetic, and empathetic as we would all like to think we are, the truth is we all harbor a secret dark side. Jung referred to this as "the shadow" and Freud called it the "id". Basically, it is the worst parts of ourselves that we try to keep hidden and in check to the best of our abilities. Unfortunately, no matter how hard we try, this dark side always finds a way out.

Refer back to my saying and let's begin to examine how it applies to a couple of people. Take a person who has spent most of their childhood getting beat up. This person has probably never felt true peace or confidence. Without a doubt, someone of this nature will seek revenge on others for the "missing pieces" of their life. How? Most likely by becoming a skilled fighter; a boxer or full-contact martial artist. These skills will not only help the person feel peace and confidence every time they hit their opponent, but at the same time they will be enacting revenge by denying the other fighter a chance to feel peace and confidence within themselves. In short, the skilled fighter has gained what he has never had: Control. Any way you look at it, true power, or revenge, is all about the ability to control. "We all want what we've never had"--this is a pure denial of control. "And revenge for not having it"--this is the pure implementation of any form of control that we are capable of.

Let's take a look at yet another type of person, only this time, I'll reverse the process. Take an architect. What does an architect do? They design and build structures. What is so dark about that? Nothing on the outside. But upon closer look, I see something more. Architects impose themselves upon our natural space with their buildings, memorials, bridges, etc. These things don't just blow away with the autumn breeze. Objects like these are built to last, and more importantly, to draw attention. The two primary questions then become: "What form of control (revenge) is an architect implementing on us?" and "What has an architect never had that they've always wanted?" According to my theory, an architect probably never had the ability to capture attention as a child. They most likely were the ones who went unnoticed. How do they get revenge for this? They build massive structures that can't help but be noticed. Their form of revenge is simple: Build something so people will have to pay attention to it.

Obviously I don't expect every person to fit the mold of my theory. I'm sure not every boxer has spent most of his life getting beat up nor has every architect gone unnoticed as a child. There are exceptions to every theory. I'm simply trying to put forth an idea that has been bouncing around my mind for quite some time. For you, the reader, do me a favor and be honest with yourself for one moment. Ask yourself: "What did I never have as a child and how does it relate to what I now do for a living or how I behave?" If you notice a connection, then ask yourself: "Does my job or behavior give me control in some way?" The results may surprise you. The dark side resides in us all. Don't fear, the desire for revenge is the nature of humanity and it should be embraced, not denied. Remember, it's not about being bad or evil--it's about having control.