In the movie Prometheus (2012), part of the Alien franchise, there’s a lesson worth remembering. On a distant planet, an expedition finds an Engineer—a member of an alien race that created us and our world. The humans wake him from cryosleep.
Weyland, the wealthy sponsor, speaks to the Engineer through an android. The android, in Proto-Indo-European, explains Weyland's wish for immortality: "We are creators, we are gods. And gods never die." Weyland is elated.
In response, the Engineer... tears off the android's head, kills Weyland and others, and sets off for Earth to destroy all of humanity.
Quite the twist, isn’t it?
Weyland was ruined by his pride. When faced with a powerful, unknown force, he acted as though he was its equal. Worse, he narcissistically expected favorable treatment.
The proper reaction would have been awe. This all-encompassing feeling is a blend of reverence, admiration, fear, respect, humility, and submission to something greater. On Robert Plutchik’s wheel of emotions, awe is the fusion of surprise and fear.
What we don’t understand can either make us happy or kill us.
Remember this whenever something extraordinary happens to you. Whether it’s a small anomaly that leaves you confused, or a serious shock that paralyzes you, know this:
Arrogance will ruin you, while admiring respect will save you.
Sincerely yours,
-Alexander
About me:
As a business therapist, I help tech founders quickly solve dilemmas at the intersection of business and personality, and boost company value as a result.
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If you've long been trying to understand what is limiting you and/or your business and how to finally give important changes a push, then The Catalyst Session is designed specifically for you. Book it here.