Episode 1: Fight the Power

Welcome to this first episode of the Quiet Argument.Now, If you’re wondering why I’m embarking on this audio journey, I have a somewhat simple answer for you: After a wonderful time hosting and producing the indiVISIBLE Hour — which I encourage all of you to take a listen to, if you haven’t already — I realised I missed having these types of conversations, and thought ‘what the hell’ why not try again with a shorter format — so please, sit back and enjoy.Today, I’d like to talk about something that shapes every part of our lives, though we rarely speak about it: Power.When we hear the word “power,” what comes to mind? For most of us, it’s something negative; we think of it as dominating, controlling, and oppressive. But here’s the thing: that’s only part of its definition.Power, at its core, is simply the capacity and ability to produce or prevent change. That’s it. It’s everywhere—in politics, religion, our families, our communities. And honestly, that’s why talking about power makes us so uncomfortable.We tend to see power as one-dimensional—as something inherently evil and unchanging. But if we keep framing it that way, we stop ourselves from really studying it and taking action to change things.The truth is, power is dynamic. It’s multi-dimensional. It adapts to different situations. And here’s the key: it can dominate OR liberate. We have to understand and balance both.Let’s start with two forms of power that most of us are already familiar with.The first is called “Power Over.”It’s the kind of power we most think about when we hear the word. It’s the ability to take, to control, and to limit others.Think about your workplace. Or school. Or maybe around the family dinner table. You’ve felt it, right? The sense of not being in control?Then there’s something quieter, something hidden: Invisible Power.This power doesn’t shout. Instead, it shapes what we should perceive as normal, acceptable, or valuable. It influences and shapes the laws of society. It impacts how we see ourselves, our identity, and our worth.Invisible power is subtle. It can make us doubt our place in the world—or make us feel small when we should feel confident.If we want real change, we can’t only resist the visible forms of power. We must also examine the invisible. Question it. Practice alternative forms. Engage with it.To analyse power more clearly, we can all use a simple visual: a cube. To be more specific, the Power Cube. The power cube is a framework for analysing the levels, spaces, and forms of power, and their interrelationships.This framework began its development with Steven Lukes, who argued that power could be seen in three dimensions — from visible to invisible— and was expanded by the work of John Gaventa, who found power to be more complex, multi-dimensional, and intersectional.Hence the cube: Because like power itself, it’s multi-dimensional. It can be visible. It can be hidden. It moves. It shifts.We can map power using three lenses: Forms, Spaces, and Levels.* Forms are how power manifests—how we experience it.* Spaces are where power operates—where decisions are made, where influence exists.* Levels are the layers at which decisions happen—local, national, global.Think about spaces for a moment. They can be public, like our workplaces or schools. Private, like our families or friend groups. Or intimate, like our sense of self, confidence, and identity.Recognising the space where power operates helps us find entry points. Places where we can act, places we can disrupt, or places we can create.Power also intersects with ethics, morals, and integrity. These terms get thrown around like they’re interchangeable, but they’re not. And that difference matters.* Morals are our personal beliefs that guide our behaviour and define our sense of right or wrong. They’re internal, personal.* Ethics are guidelines created by a community. They tell us what the correct or incorrect behaviour is in any given context. They’re more practical than personal.* Then there’s integrity—the quality of being honest and having a strong moral principle that you keep even when it’s difficult.Here’s where it gets interesting. What happens when something is moral but unethical? Maybe you have a strong personal belief that conflicts with your community. Maybe you’re asked to do something that’s technically “ethical”, albeit legal, but it violates your personal moral code. Contradictions like these happen all the time in real life.When we make decisions, power and ethics intersect. Some choices benefit a few at the expense of many. Others align with collective well-being.And that’s where reflection comes in. We should ask ourselves:Could this decision harm someone—or help others? Does it respect the rights of everyone involved? Which choice produces the most good?These questions help us move beyond just following rules. They push us to think critically about power, justice, and our role in creating change.So let’s consider this quiet argument: power is not simply something to accept, fear or resist.It’s complex. It’s dynamic. And It’s everywhere.If we aim to act ethically, we must try to see it clearly, understand it deeply, and navigate it responsibly.How we wield power defines not just our integrity—but the communities we live in, and the world we choose to shape around us.Thank you for listening to this first episode of The Quiet Argument.If this gave you something to think about, I invite you to share it with me here. For more information and book recommendations about the topics we discussed, please take a look at the notes at the end of the post.Until next time. Stay curious.—AHNNotes: * https://www.powercube.net/analyse-power/what-is-the-powercube/* Steven Lukes, Power: A Radical View* John Gaventa, Power and Powerlessness: Quiescence and Rebellion in an Appalachian Valley* Michael Foucault, Subject & Power* Noam Chomsky, On Power and Ideology* Clarissa Rile Hayward, De-Facing Power* Lisa VeneKlasen with Valerie Miller, Power and Empowerment Get full access to The Profe's Pen at alfonsoneal.substack.com/subscribe