To think that information is the ultimate power move?

[AdeptEagle]

People say money and connections are the key to success but I think information is just as, if not more, powerful. Knowing the right things at the right time can open doors, protect you from being taken advantage of, and give you leverage in both personal and professional situations.

Whether it’s workplace politics, financial decisions, or even relationships, those who stay informed tend to get ahead while others are left in the dark. Yet, most people don’t seem to value information as much as they should.

AIBU to think that the smartest people aren’t necessarily the richest or the most well-connected but the ones who know how to gather, interpret, and use information strategically?

Is that not what money and connections give you, though?

information that can lead to influence?

I think information is how you get influence, connections, money and , ultimately, power.

You’re not wrong, although it’s probably more a combination than one thing or the other. I know my value at work and it’s not my education or my connections as I have neither, I do however know the business inside out and there are tasks I complete that are essential to the business that no one else knows how to do or has the ability to do, and that serves me very well.

Power is power - Queen Cersei

Money and connections buy information imo x

They say information is power, but as you say the cleverest people I know don't have influence or jobs that pay massively well. I personally think the clever people should be given more power instead of the idiots who tend to go for political power, for example, but because they are usually too self effacing they never will. Same with promotions in most companies. Builders, salesmen and tradies will rule the world, not geeks.

It helps being smart. It helps being smart and adaptable. It helps being smart, adaptable and being good at forecasting the next trends.

Leverage in personal relationships mind, this is where your attempt at philosophy starts to falter OP.

That’s a really fair point - money and connections can give you access to certain types of information, especially in elite or closed-off spaces.

But I still think there’s a distinction between having access and knowing how to interpret, apply, or quietly act on information. Some people have privilege but no clue how to leverage it, while others aren’t as well-resourced but can move really smartly just by being sharp and observant.

So yes - money and connections help, but it’s often the strategic use of information that sets people apart.

See I have a different view on using intelligence, clearly. My view is it should be used to enhance all of mankind where possible, not used as leverage in some weird power game.

A proposal we have heard is that the House of Lords should be full of representatives of professional associations (some peerages and life ones to keep the traditional as happy), but many more with a seat say for Civil Engineers, Railway Union, Medics, Nurses, Teachers, Farmers, Police, Musicians, Athletes, Journalists etc People at the top of their profession represent in Lords for a term or two say. Nominated, rather than elected, regardless of political leaning.

Might start to get some much needed rational debate in the corridors of power then! Who knows?

I actually agree with your point about adaptability and forecasting - those are huge assets when paired with the right information.

And fair enough on the relationships bit but I’d still argue that knowing how people operate (and why) can give you emotional leverage, especially in situations where power dynamics are at play. That doesn’t mean being manipulative - it means being emotionally intelligent, observant, and sometimes knowing when not to react.

Strategic use of information isn’t limited to boardrooms - it plays out in friendships, dating, and family dynamics all the time. Some people just know how to read the room better than others.

Maybe in the workplace though - info is definitely powerful there

You do need to be intelligent enough to use any information you gather.