The most popular link this past week, by far, was not a link to this site but to the video of Tom's talk at TED in February 2005: Thomas Barnett's bracing talk on the future of war, on TED.com.
Here's their write-up:
Strategic planner Thomas P.M. Barnett has advised US leaders on national security since the end of the Cold War. In this bracingly honest -- and very funny -- talk, Barnett outlines a solution for the foundering US military: Break it in two. One half makes war, and the other half builds the peace that follows. Spontaneous applause and a standing ovation underscore what Barnett said on his blog: "Probably the best 20 minutes of speaking I have ever done."
The video:
Now, the links:
+ Fortify Your Oasis, who hates Tom slides, but loves his delivery, rating him above Steve Jobs.
+ hatke
+ ISN The Blog
+ Random Thoughts Containment Unit: 'it's effing brilliant'
+ Identity Unknown
+ Not A Hat: 'brilliant'
+ Who Would Reagan Vote For? 'I watched this expecting him to be a left wing peace nut, but he really wants to turn our military into serious cold, hard killers and then back them up with a serious force for rebuilding the countries we take down - Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. This guy is awesome, now if someone would just listen.'
+ blogish
+ The Fein Line
+ cartoon life: 'This is an idea that gives me hope for a better world. Win the war, and win the peace. It would certainly be better than the disastrous situation extant now, but I wonder about consequent accusations of cultural hegemony. I suppose one could worry about that when we get there. But let’s get there first.'
+ SageGuide: 'Pentagon Strategist Thomas Barnett gives a hilarious talk filled with macho bravado on the next step in the development of America’s military, creating a peace keeping force. Acknowledging America’s indomitable might when it comes to wars, he also acknowledges their poor record for instilling peace in countries it has conquered. Disturbing, hilarious and thought provoking at the same time, this talk is a refreshing addition to the regular TED line up of design, technology and social commentary.'
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Comments (5)
Tom you have evolved into an infotainment master with one of the most important messages of our generation. I sent the URL for this briefing to over 200 of my colleagues - mostly former Marines.
Semper Fi
Posted by Steve Gallison | June 19, 2007 11:57 AM
Finally, I think I now know how to explain this to everyone else I meet. Great speech!
Posted by frankwolftown | June 19, 2007 1:11 PM
Just love your delivery on this brief -- I never get tired of seeing it again --
Per the AP today about possible longer deployments in Iraq:
"I wish every American could see what the U.S. Army and others are doing to rebuild the government, the health care system, the education system, to secure the neighborhoods," said Lieberman, I-Conn. "But some of that, in the best of all worlds, should frankly be done by people from other departments of our government." (well DUH!!!)
Seems like we are in need of a SysAdmin force RIGHT NOW!!!
Posted by RCBev | June 19, 2007 8:18 PM
Solid. Good stuff. Glad to see this getting circulated.
Posted by Lexington Green | June 19, 2007 11:20 PM
Reminded of The SysAdmin ain't yer daddy's military-and that's okay.
On the subject of SysAdmin, Indiana University seems to be trying to get Russia to help out. From the Moscow Times.
Posted by IJ | June 20, 2007 8:51 AM