VH1: Behind the Helmet
It is getting closer to May and the much anticipated release of the final Star Wars movie and it has really got me thinking.
Thinking to why Anakin would turn to the Dark Side?
He must have had good enough reasons. It all couldn't have been just because he was power hungry and vengeful, or emotionally unstable, and I don't believe he was hypnotized or anything like that either. I think that in the end it was all about job security and what was the best for his family.
I have an argument to support this theory and it goes a little something like this (This argument may or may not be based on actual fact and I may have embellished ever so slightly. I apologize now to the purists.)
1) Job Security: He could see that the Empire had a solid foundation in place already and they were only moving up. I mean they were taking over the Trade Federation and growing exponentially. This was a company that was going to be around for awhile.
2) Growth Potential: He wasn't about to hang his hat in the Jedi council where promotions are few and far between, where they put age ahead of innovation. You need people to leave or to die before you can move up. That is an old and long ladder to climb and he could see many years between pay raises and elevated roles. The Empire rewards hard work and innovation and if you show a little moxy you can move up quickly.
3) Company Vision: The Empire had a great vision statement and knew what it was going to take to get there. I know that in my own experience a company that has a great and well thought out vision is a company that is going places, and the Empire is one of those.
4) Work Hours: The Alliance hours are very, very long and Anakin had twins on the way. He wasn't about to take a job that didn't allow him the time to be a family man. He needed more flexibility and that is what the Empire could offer him.
5) Pay Scale: As noted, the growth potential in the Empire is vast and quick and the pay structure can move up very quickly. The Empire knows they are not in the most luxurious business and they compensated appropriately. Bonuses also were very attractive and had the potential to increase your yearly salary by 55%. Both the Alliance and the Jedi Council have very long work hours for unflattering pay and a limited bonus structure.
6) Great Benefits Package: They had full health and dental for him as well as any dependents and spouses so already that is a great deal. They get 4 weeks paid vacation each year, which is unheard of in most other Galactic 500 Companies, company shares, and company run pension program. They also have great hazard pay and full expense coverage, as well as a vehicle allowance. The best part is the Empire owns resorts and hotels across the solar system and every Empire employee gets great discounted rates to stay at all Empire owned hotels and resorts.
In the end you can see that the Empire put a very attractive plan on the table and it was an offer that he just couldn't refuse. I mean this was more than just about him, he had to think about his family too.
Thinking to why Anakin would turn to the Dark Side?
He must have had good enough reasons. It all couldn't have been just because he was power hungry and vengeful, or emotionally unstable, and I don't believe he was hypnotized or anything like that either. I think that in the end it was all about job security and what was the best for his family.
I have an argument to support this theory and it goes a little something like this (This argument may or may not be based on actual fact and I may have embellished ever so slightly. I apologize now to the purists.)
1) Job Security: He could see that the Empire had a solid foundation in place already and they were only moving up. I mean they were taking over the Trade Federation and growing exponentially. This was a company that was going to be around for awhile.
2) Growth Potential: He wasn't about to hang his hat in the Jedi council where promotions are few and far between, where they put age ahead of innovation. You need people to leave or to die before you can move up. That is an old and long ladder to climb and he could see many years between pay raises and elevated roles. The Empire rewards hard work and innovation and if you show a little moxy you can move up quickly.
3) Company Vision: The Empire had a great vision statement and knew what it was going to take to get there. I know that in my own experience a company that has a great and well thought out vision is a company that is going places, and the Empire is one of those.
4) Work Hours: The Alliance hours are very, very long and Anakin had twins on the way. He wasn't about to take a job that didn't allow him the time to be a family man. He needed more flexibility and that is what the Empire could offer him.
5) Pay Scale: As noted, the growth potential in the Empire is vast and quick and the pay structure can move up very quickly. The Empire knows they are not in the most luxurious business and they compensated appropriately. Bonuses also were very attractive and had the potential to increase your yearly salary by 55%. Both the Alliance and the Jedi Council have very long work hours for unflattering pay and a limited bonus structure.
6) Great Benefits Package: They had full health and dental for him as well as any dependents and spouses so already that is a great deal. They get 4 weeks paid vacation each year, which is unheard of in most other Galactic 500 Companies, company shares, and company run pension program. They also have great hazard pay and full expense coverage, as well as a vehicle allowance. The best part is the Empire owns resorts and hotels across the solar system and every Empire employee gets great discounted rates to stay at all Empire owned hotels and resorts.
In the end you can see that the Empire put a very attractive plan on the table and it was an offer that he just couldn't refuse. I mean this was more than just about him, he had to think about his family too.
posted by Duncan McAllister at 9:32 p.m.
4 Comments:
I think you've hit the nail on the head with Point #2. Looking at the council, it seems like gray hair gets rewarded over actual merit. Certainly no place for a talented young jedi hoping for career advancement.
I also want to mention that your last two posts (High 5, and Just because) are my 2 faves. Haven't had the time to check in a while... you are on fire.
I am glad that you liked those two post but I am disappointed that VH1 didn't live up to your expectations.
Anyways, great Grad ceremony pictures.
BILL! I have added you on to my LINKS section...hope you dont mind...I called you Bee ILLest...cause you´re ILL and any excuse to call anyone a BEE..awwwwww
Pithy observations Duncan and thitty too. Graham
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