Power.

2004. On the first day of my sociology class of social structures, my professor arrived a few minutes late, wearing his full doctoral robes, complete with mortarboard and tassel. Now the professor was a genius. He was also a bit crazy but in a good way.

He then invited the strongest guy in the room to the front. He challenged the guy to an arm wrestling contest. Now, the good doctor was great at sociology (as we would later find out) but he wasn't nearly as fit as his opponent. Right before they started, he leaned in, whispered something and the guy nodded. They started the match and the good doctor easily won.

Of course, he made an arrangement to win to prove a point about social structure. The person with (nearly) complete authority over grades holds sway over someone who gets a grade from him. Sure, but the guy could have been an asshole and not thrown the match. Yet, the good doctor won and he had a great segue into the class overview.

Power, he said, was the ability to influence over resistance. I was aware of this definition before, being as power-obsessed as I am. I've also seen power used in various ways. But an old man in doctoral regalia and the former football player arm-wrestling is an image that stays with you. It was inspiring, in a way.

I did very well in that class.