#230: Herostratic Fame, Ordinary-Extraordinary Strategy & the Whiskey Smash

3 Ideas in 2 Minutes on Expecting the Unexpected

I. Herostratic Fame

Herostratus was a Greek man who, in 356 BCE, set fire to the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. His sole motive was to make his name famous. Outraged by his crime, the authorities executed him and tried to erase his name from history. But the story survived.

Herostratus achieved his alleged goal of one day being quoted by obscure Australian bloggers for all the wrong reasons. Because today, Herostratic Fame describes someone seeking notoriety through destructive or infamous deeds rather than meaningful achievements. And as writer Gurwinder Bhogal points out:

Now we have ‘nuisance influencers’ who stream themselves committing crimes and harassing people purely for clout.

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II. Ordinary-Extraordinary Strategy

Just as those who seek Herostratic Fame aim to shock the world into remembering them, true strategists wield surprise to seize the advantage. As Robert Greene explains with the Ordinary-Extraordinary Strategy:

People expect your behavior to conform to known patterns and conventions. Your task as a strategist is to upset their expectations. Surprise them and chaos and unpredictability — which they try desperately to keep at bay — enter their world, and in the ensuing mental disturbance, their defenses are down and they are vulnerable.

First, do something ordinary and conventional to fix their image of you, then hit them with the extraordinary. The terror is greater for being so sudden. Never rely on an unorthodox strategy that worked before — it is conventional the second time around. Sometimes the ordinary is extraordinary because it is unexpected.

—Robert Greene, The 33 Strategies of War

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III. Whiskey Smash

The Whiskey Smash is a crisp, refreshing cocktail that balances the warmth of whiskey with bright citrus and fresh mint. To make one, muddle half a lemon, cut into wedges, with 4–6 mint leaves and 1 teaspoon of simple syrup. Just enough to release the juices and essential oils. Add 2 oz (60 ml) of whiskey (I prefer the Balvenie DoubleWood) and a handful of ice. Shake briefly to chill and combine the flavours.

Now strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with a sprig of mint and a lemon wheel for aroma and visual appeal. With its sweet, citrusy and herbal notes, the Whiskey Smash is easy to enjoy, versatile and perfect for warm afternoons. I very much enjoy it. But I’ve found it most difficult to find a bartender who knows how to make one. 🐘

Have a great year,

Chris
themindcollection.com