LAST EDITED ON 10-25-12 AT 06:38 PM (EST)

The Art of Failure

kircon on the Art of Failure, the newest treatise in the world. 10-17-12

Translated from the mind of kircon. It has been extracted from a lifetime of observance. This has been released only as an adjunct to the reality show Survivor.

This is a summary of the basic text of kircon on the Art of Failure. For the exact treatise contact kircon’s agent. The Art of Failure contains 56 chapters.

I. BACKGROUND STRATEGY

1. kircon said: The art of failure is of vital importance to the Reality show Survivor.

(Jeff stated this at the night of day 10; “Matsing has perfected the art of failure”)

2. The art of failure as the art of war is governed by five constant factors, to be taken into account in one's deliberations, when seeking to determine the conditions obtaining in the field.

3. These are:
1. The Immoral Law causes the people to be in complete disaccord with their ruler. A good ruler will create rules that the people will follow, regardless of their lives, undismayed by any danger. An art of failure ruler will create an atmosphere of distrust. The ruler is in as much danger as the people.

(The ruler of Matsing, Russell, voted out on day 10.)
(The ruler of Kalabaw used his HII (Hidden Immunity Idol) to form a strong secret men’s society.)

2. Heaven signifies events that are out of our control, these being day and night, weather including cold and heat, weather, times and seasons.

(The remaining Matsing members, Malcolm and Denise spend a cold rainy night wondering what will happen to them.)

3. Earth signifies distances great and small; danger and security; open ground and narrow passes; the chances of life and death.

4. The Fool signifies the virtues of foolishness, insincerely, malevolence, cowardice and strictness.

5. Method and discipline signifies the tribes and their proper subdivisions, graduations of ranks, maintenance of camps, and the control of disbursements.

4. These five factors should be familiar to every leader: he who knows them will fail.

5. The leader that hearkens to my counsel and acts upon it will suffer defeat. The leader that hearkens not to my counsel nor acts upon it, will conquer:--let such a one be dismissed!

6. According as circumstances are favorable, one should not modify one's plans.

(Malcolm finally found the HII. Denise knows if they are separated, she carries the art of failure with her. Malcolm knows this is his life in the game.)

7. All warfare is based on deception.

8. Hence, when able to attack, we must show force; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are near.

9. If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Don’t pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.

10. If he is taking his ease, let him rest. If his forces are united, don’t separate them.

VII. WAGING WAR

Kircon said: 1. As you engage in actual fighting, the longer the victory in coming, the tribe's weapons will grow dull...

2. … when your weapons grow dull, your ardor damped, your strength exhausted and your treasure spent, other leaders will spring up to take advantage of your extremity. Then no man, however wise, will be able to avert the consequences that must ensue.

3. The rewards men receive from defeating the enemy is using the conquered foe to augment one's own strength.

(The three tribes arrive on their mats for the Reward Challenge. Six Tandang, six Kalabaw, and two Matsing. Jeff calls out to Matsing; Drop your buffs! He throws a bag to Malcolm which, who hands a wrapped buff. He hands one to Denise. Jeff states; end the suspense. Malcolm unwraps a yellow Tandang buff, which means Denise goes to Kalabaw.)

(Jeff explains how the challenge will work. A member from each opposing tribe will face off against each other. The object is to knock your opponent’s idol off the pedestal they are holding while keeping your own idol on the pedestal you are holding. The winner of each match receives one point. 5 points win the game and reward. Wanna know what you are playing for? Jeff pulls a cloth away with a flair reveling coffee, tea, biscuits and cookies. Malcolm wins the first point against Jeff. Artis’ reach wins against Dana. Katie takes the lead back by beating Lisa. And now, the two leaders face each other.)

4. It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the evils of war that can thoroughly understand the profitable way of carrying it on.

(Skupin ties it again by tossing his idol high into the air and then knocking Penner’s idol to the ground. It was a great move! Denise wins a point for her new tribe against RC. Pete ties the score at three each against Carter. Abi and Dawson shove each other around a bit but Abi wins the round for Tandang. They only need one more point to win. Malcolm and Jeff return to the ring again. Malcolm uses Skupin’s move to give Tandang 5 points and the win.)

15. Hence, a wise leader makes a point of foraging on the enemy. One cartload of the enemy's provisions is equivalent to twenty of one's own. The foolish leader takes home the art of failure.

XIII. ATTACK BY STRATAGEM

1. kircon said: In the practical art of failure, the best thing of all is to take the enemy's country; to shatter and destroy it.

2. Hence, to fight and conquer in all your battles is supreme failure; supreme failure does not consist in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.

3. The art of failure leader cannot subdue the enemy's troops without any fighting; he cannot capture their cities without laying siege to them; he doesn’t overthrow their kingdom with lengthy operations in the field.

4. There are three ways in which a leader can bring misfortune upon his army.
1. By commanding the tribe to advance or to retreat, being ignorant of the fact that it cannot obey. This is called hobbling the tribe.
2. By attempting to govern a tribe in the same way as he administers a kingdom, being ignorant of the conditions. This causes restlessness in the survivor's minds.
3. By employing the officers of his tribe without discrimination, through ignorance of the military principle of adaptation to circumstances. This shakes the confidence of the tribe.

5. But when the tribe is restless and distrustful, trouble is sure to come from the other feudal princes. This is simply bringing anarchy into the tribe, and flinging victory away.

(Prince Pete is happy to have gained Malcolm for his tribe. He takes him aside and invites him to join their majority alliance. We have the HII, but don’t tell Mike or RC. If you need it, it’s there.)

(Malcolm is excited that he is the popular guy. I found the idol this morning, a new tribe this afternoon. I feel that I got my swag back. Will Malcolm remember the five essentials for victory?)

6. Thus we know that there are five essentials for victory:
(1) He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.
(2) He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces.
(3) He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks.
(4) He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.
(5) He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign.

7. Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. But if you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. The ultimate Art of Failure is if you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.

XXV. VARIATION IN STRATEGY

kircon said 1. The Art of Failure leader's plans and considerations of advantage and of disadvantage will not be blended together.

2. If, on the other hand, in the midst of difficulties you are ready to seize an advantage, you may extricate yourself from misfortune.

3. There are five dangerous faults, which may affect a leader:
1. Recklessness, which leads to destruction;
2. Cowardice, which leads to capture;
3. A hasty temper, which can be provoked by insults;
4. A delicacy of honor, which is sensitive to shame;
5. Over-solicitude for his men, which exposes him to worry and trouble.

(The Kalabaw tribe returns to camp and greets their new member Denise. Katie is excited because now they could have a 4-person alliance. As the afternoon and rain continues, Dana becomes quite ill. Jonathan Penner becomes quite compassionate. Dawson states that Dana is running a fever. Jonathan wraps her in a tarp and tries to keep her warm. The worry is all over his face. Jeff Probst shows up at camp with a medical team. He can’t believe how bad Dana looks. Medical wants to wait another 12 hours. Dana tells Jeff she can’t be sick any more. Jeff compassionately lays his coat over her. This really touched me. Jeff calls the rest of the tribe in. They give her words of love while Dana apologizes for leaving. Jonathan tells Jeff he totally understands Dana’s situation and cried like a baby when he was pulled from the game. Jeff holds Dana on the boat as Kalabaw waves goodbye.
Dana Lambert is the fifth person to leave Survivor Philippines, Art of Failure style.)

4. These are the five besetting sins of an Art of Failure leader, ruinous to the conduct of war.

5. When a tribe is overthrown and its leader slain, the cause will surely be found among these five dangerous faults. Let them be a subject of meditation.

XXIX. WEAK POINTS AND STRONG

1. kircon said: Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted and carry the Art of Failure.

2. Therefore the naive combatant does not impose his will on the enemy, but allows the enemy's will to be imposed on him.

(Come on in guys! Get your first look at the new Kalabaw tribe. Dana was too sick to continue and pulled herself from the game. She was under the influence of the constant factor of Earth. She could no longer war against it. Life & Death!

Ready to get to today’s Immunity challenge? First things first, I’ll take back the two Immunity Idols. There is only a need for one. Jeff places the Idol on its pedestal and quotes his famous saying; Immunity is back up for grabs!

For today’s challenge, you will race down a ramp, across a water-filled pit, and over and down a net craw. You will then untie a set of knots to release a drawbridge. One member will chop through a rope to release bamboo puzzle pieces. Look the lettered ones, 19 in all. Two tribe mates will then solve a 5-word phrase. Winners will be safe, loses will go to Tribal Council where someone will be voted off.)

3. By discovering the enemy's dispositions and not remaining invisible ourselves, we cannot keep our forces concentrated.

4. Rouse him, and learn the principle of his activity or inactivity. Force him to reveal himself, so as to find out his vulnerable spots.

(Jeff tell Tandang that they have an extra member, who are you going to sit out. Abi raises her hand. Jeff asks her; out of all the challenges, we’ve played, how many have you participated in? She quietly answers, two. Jeff exclaims a loud WOW! Go take a seat on the bench. We’ll get started

For immunity, Survivors ready, go!
Carter and Skupin are off to an impressive beginning; Jeff yells. Got to get up and over. Both tribes are working together.)

5. You may advance and be absolutely irresistible, if you make for the enemy's weak points; you may retire and be safe from pursuit if your movements are more slower than those of the enemy.

(Kalabaw is off to a slow start. Jeff yells; Katie is really slowing her tribe down on a really easy portion. A real setback for Kalabaw, Tandang has a big lead. Again, Katie is the last one over. Katie is struggling.
Both tribes are now working on the drawbridge. Great teamwork from both sides. Neither side has been to Tribal Council. Tandang lowers the drawbridge first and Malcolm chops the rope to release the puzzle pieces.
Keep moving Kalabaw! Kalabaw is still suffering from Katie’s slow start. Kalabaw is now through the drawbridge. Jeff starts chopping but slows down, Penner takes over and quickly releases the puzzle. They all scramble to find letters on the bamboo pieces. Jeff screams; Tandang has a huge lead and it’s all because of Katies poor performance.)

6. The spot where we intend to fight must be made known; for then the enemy will have to prepare against a possible attack at several different points.

7. Carefully compare the opposing army with your own, so that you may know where strength is superabundant and where it is deficient.

(RC is sitting on Michael’s shoulders; Denise is sitting on Jeff Kent’s shoulders, each trying to see what the other tribe is doing. Lisa and Pete are working in unity on the yellow puzzle. Penner and Dawson are working on the red puzzle. They keep bumping into each other)

8. Though the enemy be stronger in numbers, we cannot prevent him from fighting. Scheme so as to discover his plans and the likelihood of their success.

9. In making tactical dispositions, the highest pitch you can attain is to conceal them; conceal your dispositions, and you will be safe from the prying of the subtlest spies, from the machinations of the wisest brains.

(Jeff forcefully states; Everybody is working well, except Abi who is sitting out once again.
Penner believes he has the phrase. He starts placing the letters but Dawson won’t let him have them. RC informs her tribe what Penner is working on. Both tribes think they have it, now it’s a race to see who gets it first.
Tandang raises their arm in completion a second before Kalabaw does. Jeff reads; Live to play another day. Tandang wins Immunity. Tandang, congratulations! You remain undefeated in this game. He hands RC the Immunity Idol. They are elated.

Jeff tells Kalabaw; I’ll see you tonight at Tribal Council where one of you will be voted out.)

XXXVIII. MANEUVERING

kircon said; 1. How victory may be produced for them out of the enemy's own tactics--that is what the multitude cannot comprehend.

2. Repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances.

3. A whole army may be robbed of its spirit; a commander-in-chief may be robbed of his presence of mind.

(Jonathan believes if Katie had been a few seconds faster and Dawson had been a little more helpful, we could have won the game. Now we will be down two members. This may be insurmountable at this stage of the game.)

4. Military tactics are like unto water; for water in its natural course runs away from high places and hastens downwards.

5. So in war, to achieve the Art of Failure, the way is to avoid what is weak and to strike at what is strong.

6. Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions.

7. He who cannot modify his tactics in relation to his opponent will not succeed in winning.

. XXXIX. VARIATION IN MANEUVERING

kircon said: 1. Soldiers must be treated in the first instance with humanity, but kept under control by means of iron discipline. This is a certain road to victory.

2. If, however, you are indulgent, but unable to make your authority felt; kind-hearted, but unable to enforce your commands; and incapable, moreover, of quelling disorder: then your soldiers must be likened to spoilt children; they are useless for any practical purpose.

3. We cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted with the designs of our neighbors.

(Denise is worried that she will be voted off because of loyalty to the tribe. She goes to collect water with Jeff. He asks her to be a part of their alliance, Jonathan, Carter, and himself. You will be the 4th. Denise agrees. Jeff shakes with a full handshake, not the 4-finger handshake he gave Jonathan.)

4. After that, comes tactical maneuvering, than which there is nothing more difficult. The difficulty of tactical maneuvering consists in turning the devious into the direct, and misfortune into gain.

5. If there is disturbance in the camp, the general's authority is weak. If the banners and flags are shifted about, sedition is afoot. If the officers are angry, it means that the men are weary.

6. The sight of men whispering together in small knots or speaking in subdued tones points to disaffection amongst the rank and file.

(The men accept Denise into their alliance then discuss who to vote out - Katie or Dawson. Katie did not do well in the challenge today. Dawson has been the weakest member of the tribe. Jonathan says; let’s just get this done right now.)

XLII. THE ATTACK BY FIRE

1. kircon said: Now a soldier's spirit is keenest in the morning; by noonday it has begun to flag; and in the evening, his mind is bent only on returning to camp.

2. There are five ways of attacking with fire.
(1)To burn soldiers in their camp; respond at once with an attack from without.
(2)to burn stores;
(3)to burn baggage trains;
(4)to burn arsenals and magazines;
(5)to hurl dropping fire amongst the enemy.

2. In order to carry out an attack, we must have means available. The material for raising fire should always be kept in readiness.

(Denise leads the tribe into Tribal Council. She sets her torch into the slot while the other just stand around not knowing what to do. Jeff tells the tribe;
Grab a torch! Dip it into the fire. Fire symbolizes life in this game. As long as you have fire, you are still in this game. When your fire is gone so are you.)

3. Disciplined and calm, to await the appearance of disorder and hubbub amongst the enemy:--this is the art of retaining self-possession.

(Jeff asks; Penner, in three days you’ve gone from being undefeated to being down two members.

Jonathan says; ya it’s awful, just bad luck. Someone from the other tribe could have gotten sick and then we would be in a different place. With Dana were with us we could have won that challenge.

Katie states that she had a bad challenge. But her tribe knows how strong she has been. They know how capable and worthy I am to be here.)

4. He who exercises no forethought but makes light of his opponents is sure to be captured by them.

(Dawson believes the tribe should keep her because she keeps the spirit of the camp up. I’m positive in this rain and that goes pretty far. We love to see you but it sucks voting someone out.

5. If the enemy leaves a door open, you must rush in.
6. Walk in the path defined by rule, and accommodate yourself to the enemy until you can fight a decisive battle.

(All right Kalabaw, Jeff speaks; it’s time for you to vote.
They vote and wait for Jeff to say, I’ll go tally the votes.
He walks out and returns carrying the voting urn.
If anyone has the Hidden Immunity Idol, now would be the time to play it.
Ok, once the votes are read, the decision is final, person voted out will be ask to leave the Tribal Council area immediately.
I’ll read the votes.

The first vote is for Denise. The rest are for Dawson. She is in shock.

6th person voted out of Survivor Philippines: Dawson!
Bring me your torch.)

But a kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to life.

(Dawson walks up to Jeff never taking her eyes off him. She drops her torch into the slot. She hears him say the tribe has spoken; it’s time for you to go. Jeff snuffs her torch. Dawson walks toward Jeff, kisses him on the cheek, and gives him a hug. She turns to the tribe, gives a wave, and then walks into the darkness.

Jeff responds to the tribe; First vote, first blindside, but more importantly, you are down two tribe members in a game that’s about numbers. This tribe has got to get a win. Grab your torches and head back to camp. Good night!)

LVI. FINAL WORDS

Kircon said: He who knows not these things, and in fighting, does not put his knowledge into practice, will lose his battles. He will surely be defeated.
Such is the Art of Failure.

Well I know I’m late, but it is done. As I’ve said, sometimes life happens and is more important than a summary. I guess I am a master in the art of failure. I want to thank SunTzu for his great work of the Art of War. I used my version I posted years ago during the China season. I could not help myself when I heard Jeff say; Matsing has mastered the Art of Failure. Enjoy!

Want to try your hand at a summary? Contact me or post in the Official Sign up thread. See you there.