A Curator of Strategy, Leadership, Spirituality, and Rock and Roll…. "Changing the world…one "contact" at a time…."
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 …
"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. …
Continue reading "The Prophet, Airpower, Innovators, and The Future of War: 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 …
Continue reading "Future Shock: Almost 55 Years Later—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 …
Continue reading "Gen-X Nostalgia: I’m The Man: Joe Jackson and DeMarco Banter"
My first brush with Pink Floyd was thanks to "The Wall". I recall heading to San Francisco to see it on a truly BIG screen and seeing the movie was like a WOW moment, and it got me digging deeper into what Pink Floyd was all about. Of course the follow on album was “The …
Continue reading "Animals, Pink Floyd, George Orwell, and DeMarco Banter"
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 …
Continue reading "Gen George Kenney: Combat Innovation and Air University Commander"
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 …
Continue reading "Pfeffer’s Power: DeMarco Banter and an Attempt to Understand Power"
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 …
Continue reading "Talking Heads, CBGB, Stop Making Sense, and Burning Down The House"
Welcome to a strange DeMarco journey intertwining the allure of "Star Wars" with the wisdom of ancient Stoicism. My love affair with this epic saga began in 1977, when I first witnessed THE magic at The Laurel Theater in San Carlos, CA. I was so captivated that I saw the original movie 13 times in …
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