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Lumifer comments on Open Thread, Jun. 1 - Jun. 7, 2015 - Less Wrong Discussion
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I understand what you are saying, it's just that I don't think it's a useful framework for analysis.
There are a bunch of issues with what we mean by "power", so let's define the thing. Actually, let me offer three definition in a descending order of generality.
(1) Power is the ability to achieve your goals, make things happen, actually do stuff. If you're Superman you have the power to fly.
(2) Power is the ability to make other people do what you want. If you're Elon Musk, you have the power to build spacecraft.
(3) Power is the ability to make other people do what you want through negative incentives (basically, threats). If you're a cop, you have the power to arrest people.
Going back to DVH's point, neither of these is "a trick, a shadow on the wall".