Francis Bacon observes in his essay, Of Great Place, that people in powerful positions become
servants to their positions. It has never been more obvious than in 20th century America that people
in positions of power become servants themselves.
Today's modern technology provides the driving force for those in powerful positions to
become servants. Every company president, C.E.O., or management executive has in his possession
such high tech devices as a cellular phone, a beeper, and, of course, a personal computer. Constantly
surrounded by such technology , an executive can never be out of reach of the duties associated with his
office. While he is driving from work to his gym, his cellular phone is ringing. He answers only to find
it is the office with another pressing issue that needs his attention. While at the gym doing bench
presses, the office is beeping him with a problem only he can solve.
Photo of Oprah Winfrey at her 50th birthday party ...
English: Oprah Winfrey at the White House for the ...
Winfrey as Sofia in The Color Purple.When he finally makes it home at
the end of his hectic day, he finds several e-mail messages from the office waiting on his computer. No
matter where this man goes or what he does, he is still tied to his position. The electronic bonds to his
position serve only to enslave him.
Another technological tool of the 20th century--the media--attracts public attention to those in
powerful positions and makes them servants of their publicity. The most obvious examples of
powerful positions with this problem are those in the performance industry. Bill Cosby had a television
camera in his face before he had shed his first tear over his son's death. Madonna brought her newborn
baby home from the hospital to a media frenzy of snapping photographers and glaring television
cameras. Lisa Marie Presley and Oprah Winfrey have their every breathing moment on display for
public consumption each...