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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Future Shock:  Almost 55 Years Later—DeMarco Banter 

In a recent discussion on innovation, wargaming, and AI, "Future Shock" by Alvin Toffler (1928-2016) was brought up. I remember being quite taken with it when I first read it, and now, fifty years after its publication, I'm intrigued to see how it holds up. It appears Toffler was quite forward-thinking in his assessments. Alvin …

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Gen-X Nostalgia: I’m The Man:  Joe Jackson and DeMarco Banter

As a fan of Joe Jackson since the early 1980s, I’ve witnessed the remarkable range of his music, spanning genres like punk, new wave, jazz, and pop. His song "I'm the Man" particularly stands out for its mix of humor and sharp social commentary. This track, with its witty lyrics and energetic rhythm, exemplifies Jackson's …

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Gen George Kenney:  Combat Innovation and Air University Commander

General George C. Kenney had a distinguished military career marked by significant contributions during World War II and beyond. Born on August 6, 1889, in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Kenney grew up in Brookline, Massachusetts, and showed an early interest in engineering, which led him to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His career took a …

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Pfeffer’s Power:  DeMarco Banter and an Attempt to Understand Power

My initial encounter with Jeffrey Pfeffer's writings occurred a few years back when I delved into his book "Leadership BS." Admittedly, I wasn't greatly impressed by the book initially and hoped it would provoke a critical dialogue among our students, which, regrettably, it didn't – a topic that perhaps merits its own discussion. Despite my …

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Talking Heads, CBGB, Stop Making Sense, and Burning Down The House

THE BAND Talking Heads was an American rock band formed in New York City in 1975. The band consisted of David Byrne (vocals, guitar), Chris Frantz (drums), Tina Weymouth (bass), and Jerry Harrison (keyboards, guitar). Over the course of their career, Talking Heads became one of the leading bands of the New Wave movement, blending …

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Are We Living in Gilded Age 2.0? DeMarco Banter

The series Gilded Age, created by Julian Fellowes, is a historical drama set in 1880s New York City, delving into the societal dynamics and conflicts of the transformative era. The comparison of the original Gilded Age and the contemporary Gilded Age 2.0 highlights the cyclical nature of economic and industrial evolution, emphasizing unique challenges and opportunities within each epoch.

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What Are Scaled Wave Weapons? …and I can I have one? DeMarco Banter

I recently had an intriguing conversation with a colleague about Futures Literacy and wargaming, particularly focusing on planning for emerging technologies. During the convo, the concept of scaled wave weapons came up, which initially puzzled me—I had no idea. Intrigued, I asked for more details, and he provided a high-level explanation that sparked my curiosity. …

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