Is it impossible to be powerful without being deviant?

Businessmen, movie stars, politicians all habe so many scandals attached to them. Many famous writers, social workers and scientists also have several controversies and charges.

This was a racist comment.

Who knows? It depends on the person. If he/she can do something at the cost of their morality and then I don't think that its worth it.

I mean why do something that will make you feel guilty and and give you sleepless nights.

firstly- what a wonderful query! made me pause and think. let me see if i can write my thoughts coherently...

who's definition of deviant? and what's powerful? the field also matters. i'm thinking in far more broader terms than businessmen. for example, i think science is one of the most influential field in our world now. so would the scientists be the ones that are powerful for holding that knowledge, researchers that apply that knowledge to everyday life or the businesses that bring that to people? and would animal testing be considered deviant? how about the whole business of harvesting dead person's organs and bones, without consent of the family, that would help someone in need eventually? sometimes definition of deviant becomes subjective.

and what of many of these people who live in a fish bowl- how must that affect their psyche? and what about having such powers? there was a very famous experiment done in US in the 70s called Stanford Prison Experiment that tried exploring this. it was never completed!

and yet, despite it all, i would like to believe that answer to your question is 'no'. part of it is my belief in inherent goodness in people.
if you want an example - Gandhiji. i know i'm playing to the gallery here but i would like to believe that despite many many mistakes he made (and he did!), and some difficult decisions he took, he is one of the most powerful person of our country but i would never use the word deviant with him. such idealism is rare and he did hurt many with his decisions but he was not deviant.

Originally posted by: LillyBlanc

<font size="3" color="#cc0033">NO !</font>

<font size="3" color="#cc0033">People like Mark Zuckberg, Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, these are some of the richest men on this planet, yet they've amassed their wealth in a straight forward manner and give back so much to this world.</font>

<font size="3" color="#cc0033">But in third world countries and banana republics, majority of the wealthy people have accumulated their wealth by unethical means i.e. corruption, monopoly of certain commodities, etc.</font>

Wow i cant believe you just said that !! I live in India , a so called "third world country" and i find what you say really really offensive !

Oh , and i also completely disagree with you .

Originally posted by: atominis

Businessmen, movie stars, politicians all habe so many scandals attached to them. Many famous writers, social workers and scientists also have several controversies and charges.

Is it impossible to become influential, powerful, famous and rich without compromising on morality?

We have many stars who have even proven charges against them but they are roaming free. A politician and his wife abused a maid but no one knows about the case now.

Is there anyone in upper echelons who has clean record?

Are success, name, fame, influence not attainable in fullness if one does not resort to manipulation and something unethical? Does success or wealth remain limited if one keeps ethical ways? And unlimited if one throws every consideration to winds?

Please share your views not only in relation to this serial but also with reference to real life.

While it might be true that a lot of famous ppl have a lot of controversies attached to them , i guess this also is true that many others also indulge in similar things and get away with it because they arent that famous and dont have to battle the media everyday .

Just reminds me of that amitabh bachchan song : " jo hai naam waala wahi to badnaam hai" :P