Author: jstfly21

Pondering many things from National Strategy, Family, God, politics…mountain biking, education, Star Wars, Batman, aircraft, cars, policy, history, the decline of empire…good food, fitness, surfing, hiking, outdoors, rock climbing, kayaking, the 49ers, The Clash, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, but where would one go to find such things?
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Navigating the Perplexity of Aporia: A Journey of Intellectual Growth and Discovery:  Or Simply “I Don’t Know.” DeMarco Banter

Aporia, a concept deeply rooted in ancient Greek philosophy and prominently featured in the dialogues of Socrates, represents a state of intellectual impasse where individuals confront seemingly insurmountable contradictions or uncertainties within their beliefs and knowledge systems. This exploration of aporia delves into its historical origins, philosophical underpinnings, and contemporary significance, seeking to unravel its …

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Rolling the Boulder, The Sage and the Rebel: Reason’s Encounter with Life’s Inherent Revolt​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​:  DeMarco Banter on Intersections:  Stoicism and Existentialism

For years, I have enjoyed reading anything I could find by the Stoic philosophers - Seneca, Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius. Their insights on cultivating reason, resilience, and inner tranquility in the face of life's difficulties resonated deeply with me. But while pursuing my doctorate, I also became fascinated by the existentialist thinkers like Sartre, Camus, and …

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Decoding Asymmetric Doctrine: Revisiting “Unrestricted Warfare,” The Golden Section, and China’s Quest for Victory: DeMarco Banter

Unrestricted Warfare, an arguably influential book by Chinese Air Force Colonels Qiao Liang and Wang Xiangsui published in 1999, has become a touchstone for understanding the Chinese Communist Party's strategic doctrine. This is probably my fourth reading of this work and I find myself continually drawn back to  Chapter 6: "Seeking Rules for Victory" in …

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Navigating AC/DC’s Razor’s Edge: Simplicity, Paradox, and the Quest for Understanding: DeMarco Banter

Working out the other day, AC/DC's ear-splitting track "Razor's Edge" blasted through my headphones. With its driving riffs and aggressive lyrics like "There's fighting on the left, and marching on the right...Here comes the razor's edge," the song conjured vivid imagery of treading a perilous, knife-edge path. As the music pounded, my mind wandered – …

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Charlie Wilson’s War 2.0:  Cold War Applications in The Age of Cyber—DeMarco Banter

I am sure many remember the 2007 movie starring Tom Hanks, Charlie Wilson's War. The film dramatizes a significant yet somewhat underappreciated episode from the Cold War era, focusing on the unconventional and charismatic U.S. Congressman Charlie Wilson. With the help of his sharp CIA operative ally, Gust Avrakotos, Wilson launched a covert operation that …

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In Dulce Decorum:  The Damned, The Cold War, 1986 and DeMarco Banter

"In Dulce Decorum" by The Damned, released in 1986, captures a unique cultural and historical moment, blending the punk rock edge with a gothic aesthetic amidst the undercurrents of the waning Cold War. The song title, borrowing from a Latin phrase famously critiqued by poet Wilfred Owen during World War I, hints at a deeper …

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The Seven Military Classics of Ancient China in the Age of Great Power Competition and Gray War: DeMarco Banter 

The seven military classics of ancient China are a group of influential military treatises were written during the Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD) and the Three Kingdoms period (220-280 AD). These texts were considered essential reading for military leaders and strategists in ancient China, and they continue to be studied and analyzed for their insights …

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The Five Tankers of Innovation: An OV-1 for AUiX—Fueling Innovation…A Synchronized Approach to Problem Solving

A few years ago, a pivotal meeting unfolded that would chart the course for the Air University Innovation Accelerator (AUiX). It was a gathering that brought together the keen minds of Lt Col TJ Ablay, Cadet (now 2nd Lieutenant) Abigail "AP" Carter, and myself, each of us had a shared vision to redefine the landscape …

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The Prophet, Airpower, Innovators, and The Future of War: DeMarco Banter

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."  The quote is commonly attributed to Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of the Indian independence movement against British rule, known for his philosophy of nonviolent resistance. However, there's no recorded evidence that Gandhi actually said or wrote these exact words. …

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