Dr John Persyn from the Dean of Academic Operations started up a study group to look at what InstructorNet could/should/might/ought be. He made the mistake of asking me to think out loud. If you don’t disagree with anything that follows, or at least wonder what I am smoking, then I have failed I take the InstructorNet working group […]
Tag: Uncertainty
A Reflection on the gold ETF (GLD)
A friend sent me a report on “problems/concerns with the GLD ETF as structured and asked me to comment. I said: GLD is kind of in the same category of ETNs which are promissory notes of the investment house which is guaranteeing performance of the instrument. There are quite a few of those out there […]
20 year look back on SPY (the market)
on the monthly chart the 2 massive drawdowns are technically similar on a superficial level, but looking closely you will see that the previous massive drawdown tested the bottom several times before steaming back north. the fundamental economy also had not imploded in that one either whereas we are looking at a deconstruction of the […]
4 Reflections on Design
4 Reflections on “Design” that are guiding my inquiry, inspired by thought provoking article and commentary at the School for Advanced Military Studies, which is engaged in deep think on the entire military decision making model: 1. The challenge of codifying artful design. I am trying to integrate these 2 statements from the article; It […]
The face of future warfare or a phenomenon emerging from complexity without attribution?
Here is some underreported insight that supports the theme of “Money as a Weapon System” which should give you a moment of pause. LiveLeak reports this interview of Rep. Paul Kanjorski. At 2 minutes and 20 seconds in the video below, Kanjorski explains how the Federal Reserve told Congress members about a “tremendous draw-down […]
Designing education for uncertainty
Being comfortable with being uncomfortable is turning out to be an essential element of our curriculum. Our officers are routinely being put into situations where their training is not helpful or where it can even be counterproductive. They’ll have to rely on the principles we have educated them on (rather than training) and their own […]
Cultural context in qualitative research: can it even be done?
A “critical friend” in the action research process is a trusted agent who gives deep insights from the outside into the nature, quality, and path of your introspection. They help keep you grounded, and offer triangulation points in the sense-making process as you grapple with your own questions and insights. They act as sounding […]
PAR Journal entry: initiating the “Force generation” project
this is the text of an info paper I wrote for our Deputy Commandant to send to the 3 and 4 star generals in charge of Army leader education and training. It describes the motivation for and purpose of our inquiry into “the education gap of force generation”, and lays out a methodology and strategy […]
College, teach thyself?
My commentary from a discussion thread at the CAC blogs on the topic of General Officers education and selection. I am interested in how we improve the capability of the college to support life long learningi nour student officers (and faculty). I argue that our college should be as flexible as the organizations we are […]
Market reflections January 24, 2009
1. The teaching is good in our new state-of-the-art college building at Fort Leavenworth. Everyday as I walk to the new building I go past the old building which is being demolished. I’ve been watching the wrecking ball taking apart beautiful building and I can’t help but noticing how quickly the heavy ball takes apart […]