Politics is the art and science of gaining influence.

There is a large difference between being an influence and being recognized as being an influence.

Equally, there is a huge difference in authenticity between a person who accidentally or incidentally becomes an influence, a person who intended to become an influence, and a person who intended to be recognized for being an influence.

Social media has made politics at every level – local, state, national, and international – accessible to everyone. People have become obsessed with being recognized for being an influence. Thus, politics has become the opiate of the people.

From Maciolekism:

• Politics is the art and science of gaining influence.
• Governance is a system for making choices.
• Management is the art and science of getting things done.