Oct24
The Handbook of 5GW: Dedication and Epigraph
on October 24, 2009 at 6:20 am and modified on October 24, 2009. at 6:20 amPosted In: Bookosphere
I received an email from the publisher of The Handbook of 5GW: A Fifth Generation of War? yesterday. He wanted to know what the dedication and epigraph should be.
I’m open to suggestions.
What do you think?
To all the 5G Warriors…if in fact you exist.
Epigraph: “You may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you.”
Tao Te Ching #17
The best of all rulers is but a shadowy presence to his subjects.
Next comes the ruler they love and praise;
Next comes one they fear;
Next comes one with whom they take liberties.
When there is not enough faith, there is lack of good faith.
Hesitant, he does not utter words lightly.
When his task is accomplished and his work done
The people all say, ‘It happened to us naturally.’
[trans. D.C. Lau]
–although, translations vary, e.g., http://everything2.com/title/Tao+Te+Ching+17
How about from the Hagakure:
Existing where there is nothing is the meaning of the phrase “Form is emptiness”
“Men at some time are masters of their fate”
-William Shakespeare
Whoever is first to recognize, understand, and implement a generational change can gain a decisive advantage.
– Lind et al.
Two thoughts:
1) When things go badly, leaders get blamed. People have expectations that their leaders (Federal, Military, State, and Local) are thinking about worst cases and preparing.
But what if nothing leaders have ever been taught or experienced is sufficient to the problem?
2) “Yesle nye ya, to kto?”
We all must do some learning, asking ourselves this question presented in John Giduck’s book, Terror at Beslan – the unofficial motto of Russia’s elite counter-terrorism units – “if not me then who?”
“I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.” – Albert Einstein
“Just remember, no matter where you go: there you are.”
– Buckaroo Bonzai
Or, perhaps:
“It’s expectation that defeats us.”
COL Kurtz, Apocalypse Now
All of these are very thought provoking.
I like the idea of using text from a Great Work.
I like double or profound meanings.
I like the ambiguity, and the doubt.
I sent something to Fred. I hope it is good. It would not have been possible without all the comments I received. Thank you.
[...] The Handbook of 5GW: Dedication and Epigraph [...]
“You’ve got to be very careful if you don’t know where you’re going, because you might not get there.” – Yogi Berra
Schmedlap,
Thanks for joining the discussion!
Of course, I could have just opened the volume with “Go and read Brent’s chapter already” [1]
[1] http://fearandloathingintheblogosphere.blogspot.com/2009/10/5gw-handbook-is-fast-approaching.html