The Naturalized Politician

There's something that constantly bewilders me about people. Some people are pretty middling when it comes to social relations. Others are quite withdrawn. And yet others are what I regard as naturalized politicians. By naturalized, I mean they've become social to the extent that it's essentially a normal part of their personality.

I have difficulty differentiating between someone who's actually really social and friendly by nature, and someone who's doing it for potential political gain in the long run. Another thing I've been wondering is whether there's any practical difference at all. Obviously, someone who's friendly by nature is in it for some sort of gain. At the very least self satisfaction. It's also a natural side effect that they wind up ingratiating themselves with others and that ideally positions them for political maneuvers. Simply put, I'd just regard social people with suspicion at all times, simply because of the nature of these relationships.

Undoubtedly, there is power to weak ties. And some people do excel at creating massive networks of weak ties. While I understand at an intellectual level that it is prudent to maintain such ties and that there is nothing intrinsically wrong with doing so, I have the nagging (guilt?) that actively pursuing the creation of weak ties is a form of weakness simply because it makes one reliant on others. Undoubtedly, no individual is an island or self sufficient, but then I'm the sort to prefer cultivating stronger ties all around. It commands loyalty, and I feel less like one who's getting to know others just for the gain obtained in the relationship. Sure, it's less than efficient, but I guess it works for me.