The Handbook of 5GW: Dedication and Epigraph
by tdaxp ~ October 24th, 2009
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?
October 24th, 2009 at 7:07 am
To all the 5G Warriors…if in fact you exist.
October 24th, 2009 at 7:31 am
Epigraph: “You may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you.”
October 24th, 2009 at 8:09 am
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
October 24th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
How about from the Hagakure:
Existing where there is nothing is the meaning of the phrase “Form is emptiness”
October 24th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
“Men at some time are masters of their fate”
-William Shakespeare
October 24th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Whoever is first to recognize, understand, and implement a generational change can gain a decisive advantage.
– Lind et al.
October 25th, 2009 at 7:32 am
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?”
October 25th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
“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
October 25th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
“Just remember, no matter where you go: there you are.”
– Buckaroo Bonzai
October 25th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Or, perhaps:
“It’s expectation that defeats us.”
COL Kurtz, Apocalypse Now
October 25th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
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.
October 25th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
[...] The Handbook of 5GW: Dedication and Epigraph [...]
October 26th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
“You’ve got to be very careful if you don’t know where you’re going, because you might not get there.” – Yogi Berra
October 26th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
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