The Relevance of Sun Tzu's Art of War in The Digital Age

Written more than 2500 years ago, Sun Tzu's Art of War stands to be relevant in this digital age. Giving advice and plans to help men who are fighting the daily grind rather than war. One of the main applications of knowledge of the use of spies. Although no one today has their own task force of personal spies gathering information for your day there is alternatives that anyone can employ to use to gain an advantage in the day-to-day grind.Sun Tzu knew what capabilities spies carried in the battles. There usage in battle had five different purposes that can be likened into modern day.

The First spy that Tzu employs is the local spies. Tzu application of them is to be a member of the community and use the services of the area. Through this Tzu befriended and made connections in enemy territory. How this can be applied to a teenager's lives is to use what resources people give to you. When I go and participate in free events learning about colleges and future careers and build a connection between recruiters and myself building my image for when I go to college. Also by becoming a member of the community I build up my ethos and references in applying for jobs.

While local spies are for general areas, inward spies make use of specific leaders to get information. His advice during the war was to go after, “Men who have been degraded from office, criminals,... and turncoats”(13). Their main purpose was to disrupt the enemy by using traitors from the inside. While I shouldn’t ruin a career by employing angry workers I can befriend workers, leaders, and associates put a good word and give me advice for future jobs and careers. The use of inward spies is one of the most vital out of the five as it builds personal connections like with local spies.

The next use of spies is converted spies and treachery. Sun Tzu made the spies, “getting hold of enemy spies and using for their own purposes,”(13). This sounds as if it doesn’t apply towards a teenager's life but it can provide a good use. When I am applying for a summer internship, I ask the other applicants what they have done and I use what they have said and more in order to increase chances of getting a position. Converted spies can provide information that can increase your chances and defeat the enemies of life.

The final spies are the surviving spies the most common form of spies. Their job description is to,” be of keen intellect, and have an inward appearance of a fool”. These spies gather information by joining the ranks and obtain information to report to the leaders. While I can’t hire a private investigator I can literally do my homework. Doing my homework and also studying my enemy the dreaded test I can succeed in battle and score high on the test. With doing well on the test I prepare myself to win the war, graduation.

The use of spies is of great importance as they have helped me in school and in my future. There are many wars I have to face and it takes the use of spies to gather information for me to take them on and win against them.