"Unmasking Modern Napoleon Complex Traits: A Comparative Analysis of Elon Musk, Aaron Rodgers, and Bill Ackman"

Guest Column by John Ridley: Striking Parallels Between Ridley Scott’s Napoleon Transfer and Some of Today's Most Powerful Figures Special contributor John Ridley, the critically acclaimed writer of 12 Years a Slave and Five Days at Memorial, and the esteemed author of the DC graphic novel series GCPD: The Blue Wall, occasionally shares his profound thoughts through guest columns. He co-hosts the Deadline podcast Doc Talk with Matt Carey, and his most recent area of focus was the negative impact of disbanding studio diversity leaders post-George Floyd's tragic demise. *** The term Napoleon complex has been coined for a purpose. Having recently spent time watching a selection of cinematic narratives over the MLK weekend, I finally got the chance to sit down and watch Ridley Scott's riveting film, Napoleon, with my elder son. With the risk of being expectedly biased, reflecting on the movie, which falls into my favored genre of biopics, was astonishingly refreshing. Our discussion during the movie led to a conversation about the enduring legend that is Napoleon. And, as it turns out, my son had no prior knowledge of the Napoleon complex. I proceeded to explain it as a phenomenon concerning individuals who are power-hungry, compensating for their shortcomings, no matter how insignificantly small they may be perceived. On that note, it's been intriguing observing seeming displays of this very complex by some of today's influencers. Of course, one needn't be physically small to feel that sort of internal inadequacy. At the forefront this week is Elon Musk, CEO of the Boring Company. Musk, one might observe, has decided to cast blame for the recent Alaska Airlines incident on the airlines' Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Ridiculously blaming the recent mishap on these practices, Musk seems to disregard the responsibility rightly placed on Boeing and its predominantly white board of directors, the latter being the body responsible for approving the now-infamous 737 Max planes. Prejudiced attitudes like this mask the authentic issues and can lead to poor decision making. And yet, even Musk, isn't the preeminent 'Napoleon' of the week. That accolade goes to Aaron Rodgers, the former quarterback of my dearly beloved Green Bay Packers. Despite being undeniably great on paper, Rodgers often tosses around unfounded allegations without hesitation. However, when faced with counter-arguments, his tendency is to recoil and avoid confrontation, thereby underlining a deep-seated insecurity akin to the Napoleon complex. Lastly, we have Bill Ackman, who came to the fore after leading the call to dismiss Harvard president Claudine Gay, primarily on plagiarism charges. Yet, his fervent passion for maintaining academic integrity seems conspicuously absent when the accusations aim closer to home, suggesting a double standard that only adds to his 'Napoleon-esque' demeanor. It's important to understand that possessing wealth is not synonymous with being intelligent. Frequently, it offers a risky proximity to unsavory individuals. There's a definite satisfaction when corruption is uncovered, and the guilty are called out, leading to transparency that benefits us all. But remember, if you’ve not yet had the chance to watch Napoleon, be wary: it doesn't end well for ego-driven individuals with a high opinion of themselves.