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How Johnny Depp proves the "make friend, not enemies" strategy
One of the very first higher-level life-approaches this website (and PU) promoted was:
Make friends, not enemies
A very simple maxim -or "law", as someone more marketing-oriented would call it :)-.
But as for many "simple" maxims, the applications and ramifications are extensive and long-ranging (and, as for any high-level maxims, there are tons of exceptions, but let's keep it simple for now).
And albeit the maxim is both ethical and win-win, it also covers and serves the "selfish" individual- (which is the case for many more of the basic TPM's approaches).
The benefits generally accrue little by little, over a lifetime, both pragmatically, and emotionally.
However, in a few extreme cases, the effects condense over a very short period of time, and in high-stake situations.
Enter, the Johnny Depp Defamation trial.
Johnny Depp's friends carried him to victory. Amber Heard's (lack of) friends destroyed her
The effect of making or not making friends are most obvious when you need some friends.
And nowhere is that more obvious than in court, when people are called to talk about you.
Will they support you (friends), or undercut you (enemies)?
The Johnny Depp defamation trial offers evidence for both sides of the equation: the making friends, and making enemies.
Beside the relationship with Amber Heard, Depp is a guy who generally makes friends.
Amber Heard, well... Not so much.
In large part, Johnny Depp won because he made friends.
The friends he made along the way showed up -including ex-girlfriends he remained on friendly terms with-.
Big time.
And they all spoke highly of him.
Amber Heard's friends... Crickets.
Depp's lawyer even said that explicitly to harm Amber:
Camille: you may have noticed that no one showed for miss Heard in this courtroom (...) this is a woman who burns bridges
Yep, she said it.
Burning bridges is not a good life strategy (even if you never end up in court).
And for the few who did show up, they painted a rather poor picture of her.
The maxim though didn't stop at the friends done (or not done) in their past.
The same maxim kept playing during the trial.
Johnny Depp's mix of power and warmth attracted more friends for him. From the general public, to the press, to, well... The jurors who eventually handed the verdict.
Amber Head instead attracted even more dislike.
Including from the jurors.
The jurors who handed her punitive compensation damages that are bigger than her own worth.
Man, this is life changing advice!
From time to time I catch myself itching to burn bridges - and have actually acted on it, not very long ago, and despite reading through The Power Moves. Having a concrete example is a powerful reminder of the perils of failing to make allies.
This is so much better than most of what I've been reading on the media about this. Most articles revel on simple "that's because he's a man" explanations. Your analysis both describes what really, concretely happens and is a truly practical advice - for men and women alike.
I think this case study would be a great addition to PU or even the new book.
Thank you, Kavalier!
That's very helfpul feedback, I've taken the note and will add it as an example on the very next PU update (and yes, you're right: nothing exemplifies and solidifies a concept as a good real-life case study).
Thank you, man! Looking forward to the next update!
