The Single Best Defense Against Mockery… Proven By History

Barry Davret
Jul 20, 2017 · 3 min read
Source — Stencil

Each day, on my way home from work, I get off the highway and pass a mysterious road. It’s a narrow road with a sharp downhill slope. There are no street lights and only a single house. There are no other residential streets offsetting it. This road sits alone among a highway entrance and a wooded area. The name of this road is Ghost Pony.

It seems obvious to me. Whoever created this street knew it looked creepy. Going with the theme, they decided to give a super creepy name. You must admit, Ghost Pony Road sounds like something out of a horror movie.

My own research uncovered more questions but no answers.

I found some threads on the web asking how this road got its name. Nobody had an answer. According to public records, the lone house on the street changed hands ten years ago for $1. That kind of transaction occurs when it passes from one family member to another.

The Name Has The Making Of A Hollywood Movie

Instead of being the subject of mockery, he took ownership of it. He created the creepy street name Ghost Pony Rd as a proverbial middle finger to those who mocked him. By taking ownership of the insult, he made it a strength.

Owning Your Weakness

The Fronde was a political uprising in France in the 1648. The name comes from the word sling, a weapon they used to smash windows. They were derided for their childlike weapon by their adversaries (the nobility). They took the term (intended to belittle them) and made it the name of their movement. A tool intended to mock transformed into a rallying cry and eventual rebellion.

In modern times, we’ve seen similar events play out.

Hillary Clinton called Donald Trump supporters “Deplorables.” Instead of defending themselves against the accusation, they owned it. The term became a rallying cry for his supporters. Social media groups of Trump supporters used the term as a badge of honor.

The key to turning a mockery attack into a strength is taking ownership of the term. Defending yourself against the mockery damages your standing. Owning it shocks your opponent into silence.

The Fronde and the “Deplorables” followed this strategy. In both cases, it became a source of strength. It furthered their cause of sharpening the us versus them divide.

The knee jerk reaction is to defend yourself. That’s what the other side wants. By defending it, you give them the opportunity to fire back. When you own it, you not only silence your attacker you infuriate them.

Keep this nifty bit of history in mind. You never know when a faceless keyboard warrior decides to attack you on social media.

Get my free guides on persuasion and creativity here. One more thing. If you liked this story, click the ❤ so others may find it.

surTHRIVAL Skillz — By Barry Davret

Next Level Skills For The Modern World

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Barry Davret

Written by

Writer. Experimenter in life, productivity and creativity. Contact: barry@barry-davret dot com.

surTHRIVAL Skillz — By Barry Davret

Next Level Skills For The Modern World

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