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 …

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 …

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.

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. …

Strategic Culture Wars:  US vs CCP—More DeMarco Banter

During my active duty initial stint with the USAF, I had the unique opportunity to be stationed in Germany, operating C23As out of Zweibrucken Air Base. This period offered me a fascinating perspective on the nuances of American cultural impact across Europe, encompassing both its positive and negative aspects. My tenure coincided with the momentous …

TERMINATORS, Skynet, Cyberdyne, Technology, Military Recruiting Issues, National Security, Robots, and DeMarco Banter

After perusing the thought-provoking Newsweek article, "Americans Don’t Want to Fight for Their Country," a curious thought train chugged through my mind. Is the world's need for defense dwindling? Unlikely. But with a decreasing number of individuals keen to join the forces, what then could be the solution? My mind, perhaps too focused on old …

A Walk Through P.M. Barnett’s Book: “America’s New Map: Restoring Our Global Leadership in an Era of Climate Change and Demographic Collapse: DeMarco Banter

America’s New Map Review  Years ago, I delved into Thomas P.M. Barnett's influential work, "The Pentagon's New Map," and its sequels in his initial trilogy, which include "Blueprint for Action: A Future Worth Creating" and "Great Powers: America and the World After Bush." These books left a lasting impression on me, their ideas and theories …

Miyamoto Musashi, The Leader, The Innovator, The Strategist—DeMarco Banter  

I have always been captivated by the enigmatic figure of Miyamoto Musashi, a legend who looms large in the annals of history. His life, marked by the intriguing duality of being a ronin - a lone wanderer without a master - and yet achieving unparalleled success, has always resonated with me. The notion of Musashi, …