> Why do you think it's a bad definition?

It presumes a sentient, rational counterparty. Being able to shoot a horse isn't the same as being able to ride it.

It only requires agency from the party assuming control. There are other definitions of control in contexts other than power dynamics that are important. Like a PLL can control an oscillator frequency without the philosophical question of agency needing to be applied. That is a closer definition of control for riding a horse. You control the horse when you pull the reigns. You also control the horse when you decide when it is put down. Two different controls.

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JumpCrisscross 11 days ago | parent [-]

> only requires agency from the party assuming control

It's a political concept. It requires agency from the actor recognising the threat. We're pretty close to being able to hurl a giant rock at Mars. That doesn't by a long shot mean we "control" it.

If there were a human settlement on it, on the other hand, being able to credibly threaten Armageddon does give the thrower control.

	▲	willis936 11 days ago \| parent [-]
		I see your point. In the original context of Dune Paul controls the spice because he can destroy it and his will would survive but it would destroy the way of life of the other cultures. So saying "Paul controls spice" only makes sense because another entity needs it and what's really meant is "Paul controls society".