CHIMAERA:  WARGAMING AND STRATEGY:  The Journey from Assumption to Innovation in Military Wargaming—DeMarco Banter

Ever since I was a child, I'd held the romantic notion that the military must possess some of the most mind-bending, sophisticated war games imaginable—perhaps it was watching movies like War Games or too much time playing Defender in the arcade. This belief carried me through my formative years and into my career with the …

The Tao of Touchdowns: How Bruce Lee’s Wisdom Transformed Christian McCaffrey’s Game–DeMarco Banter

Christian McCaffrey, the dynamic running back for the San Francisco 49ers, isn't just a force to be reckoned with on the football field; he's also a testament to the transformative power of philosophy in sports. While many athletes rely solely on physical training and natural talent, McCaffrey takes his preparation a step further, integrating Bruce …

Philosophers Through Time: Visions of the Ideal Leader Across Millennia: DeMarco Banter

Came across an article by Bret McKay recently that delved into the intersection of philosophy and leadership across several philosophers. I've always enjoyed Bret's work, but this particular piece sparked some additional thoughts for me. Leadership has been a subject of fascination and study from ancient times to the modern era. Philosophers ranging from Confucius …

Praxeum:  What is the Classroom of The Future?  Neo-DeMarcoian Thought or Bricks in the Wall

We don't need no education We don't need no thought control No dark sarcasm in the classroom Teacher, leave them kids alone. —Another Brick in The Wall, Pink Floyd, 1979 For years, I have been fervently pondering the concept of an ideal classroom of the future, a visionary space where the fusion of technology, pedagogy, …

Disruptors Up: Love ’em or Hate ’em? There’s probably a reason… DeMarco Banter

“Oh, I used to be disgusted And now I try to be amused” —Elvis Costello, The Angels Want to Wear My Red Shoes, 1977 A few weeks back, a colleague mentioned I was a disruptor. At first, I wasn't sure how to take it—was it a compliment, a criticism, or perhaps a bit of both? …

Can Our Leaders Win? A Commentary on “Why Our Generals Don’t Win”  by Gary Anderson:  Deeper DeMarco Banter

A thought-provoking article by Gary Anderson caught my attention last week, titled "Why Our Generals Don’t Win." The piece ignited a fascinating discussion when I shared it on LinkedIn. Anderson's central argument is that the inability of our generals to secure victories can be traced back to the influence of the Goldwater-Nichols Act and the …

Giles Deleuze Goes Punk: Going Underground–Life in the Rhizome: DeMarco Banter

A few weeks ago, a colleague shared the attached PDF with me. Given my background as a padiwan philosopher and a recovering punk rocker, I initially found it intriguing and somewhat amusing. However, as I began delving deeper into its contents, my fascination grew. So, perhaps we commence our exploration from the top, specifically focusing …

Why Are Military Staffs Set Up the Way They Are?  OR—Everybody Wants to Rule the World: DeMarco Banter

Help me make the most of freedom and of pleasure Nothing ever lasts forever Everybody wants to rule the world. . -Tears for Fears, Everybody wants to Rule The World (1985) The song "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears for Fears was released in 1985 and became one of the Tears For Fears …

Boyd: The Mad Major, The Ghetto Colonel, The Innovator: DeMarco Banter or Who Do You Want to Be Today?

Who do you want to be today?Who do you want to be?Who do you want to be today?Do you want to be just like someone on TV? Oh, boredom is so terrible; it's like a dread diseaseNothing could be worseThan when there's nothing on TVI'd rather be a cowboy than to stare blank at the …

Enabling Factors for Innovating in Hard Structures vs Corporate—Or I Fought The Law and The Law Won: DeMarco Banter

Breakin' rocks in the hot sun I fought the law and the law won. --The Clash (sort of) I had a colleague ask the other day—what’s the story behind innovation in a massive bureaucracy like the US Department of Defense—what are the enabling factors?  That last part had me a bit miffed—what are the enabling …