The Emperor of History: Palpatine, Power, and the Fall of Republics: May the Fourth Be With You–DeMarco Banter

| May the 4th Celebration, 2025 A Galaxy Far, Far Awayโ€”and Closer Than We Think Maybe I read too much into Star Wars--but every year on May the 4th, fans around the world come together to celebrate one of the most powerful myths of the modern era: Star Wars. It is more than just a film …

The Soundtrack to a World in Decline: The Police and DeMarco Banter (โ€œฮฉmegaman,โ€ โ€œSpirits in the Material World,โ€ and โ€œInvisible Sunโ€)

A New Wave Dystopia In the early 1980s, The Police crafted a sound that blended punk, reggae, and new wave into anthems that were more than just catchy melodies. Beneath the radio-friendly hits lay deeper, darker themesโ€”alienation, war, political decay, and the struggle for meaning in an increasingly mechanized world. Three songs in particularโ€”โ€œฮฉmegaman,โ€ โ€œSpirits …

Cohesion in the Crucible: Why Great Bands (and Teams) Fall Apart After Success: DeMarco Banter

The paradox is as old as artistry itself: groups that are forged in the fires of struggle often dissolve in the warmth of success. This truth spans domainsโ€”from military units to start-ups, from revolutionary movements to legendary rock bands. The tighter the early fight, the stronger the bond. But when the fight is over, cohesion …

Proto-Anarchy: Origins, Evolution, and Its Role in Leadership, Innovation, and Strategy: DeMarco Banter

Introduction I was reading a book the other day and the topic of proto-anarchy was mentioned.  Of course, I was likeโ€”what?  So I had to look it upโ€”ponder what does this mean for leadership, innovation, and strategy.  The concept of anarchy has long been associated with chaos and disorder, yet its philosophical roots suggest a …

Command Chairs and Core Drives: What Starship Captains Taught Me About Leadership: DeMarco Banter

When I first took the job standing a new leadership department at the Air Command and Staff College, I knew I wanted to do more than just structure a syllabus or write a set of learning objectives. I wanted to build something with soul. Something that would help mid-career officers not just check boxes on …