Monday, October 31, 2005

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Three.3.3

3c. Anger can be a positive or negative force for motivation. Its extremes are generally self-destructive over all but the shortest periods. Struggle can lead to constant agitation. Anger can fester. Internalized, anger leads towards depression. Externalized, one loses self-control and makes stupid mistakes. One may loose the ability to calculate. Response is better measured than spewed. Backlash is ensured through instability. Moderation can be doled-out slowly and surely. The result can bring down mountains. Restraint will greatly increase the chance that one is not buried by the collapse. This Modern Warrior Archetype does not need any more enemies.

Saturday, October 29, 2005

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Three.3.2

3b. The insecure often wear their anxieties like an old coat. Their fear is obvious. Easily manipulated, they may be driven. The herd is only as smart as its dimmest members. The sub-average may rise to great heights. This Modern Warrior Archetype had better never underestimate the stupid. The worst wallow. The most annoying are those whom believe their mediocrity to be something superior. Avoidance becomes a primary maladaptive trait. As usual, their faith is misplaced. History has no qualms grinding anyone into the dirt.

Friday, October 28, 2005

Interlude: Concerning 5GW

A few thoughts, mulled over while reading ZenPundit's post 5GW REVOLUTIONS:

I believe 5GW is warfare waged by individuals or very small groups. The Unibomber and possibly the OKC bombers are examples (assuming no greater network was involved). In making Things Fall Apart, their major role is showing individuals can make a difference in helping to destroy the state. It emboldens those individuals with a serious grudge against their targets. The ruling power elite are very vulnerable to the lone actor. He emerges without warning and strikes. He also creates a state backlash that further helps to erode the legitimacy of the state.

Although, I don't condone such things as mass destructions of innocents[1], I see the success of 4GW and 5GW actors against a mediocre power structure as basically inevitable. Once a lone nut can unleash a plague we are all going to pay.

As an aside, Man Accused of Sabotaging Ariz. Gas Lines illustrates the potential for trouble a disgruntled individual may cause.

[1] The victims of terrorism are not pretty sights. I am acquainted with someone, who was sleeping several block from the OKC bombing, that had her womb blown apart by the concussion of the blast. Thinking it was thunder (Oklahoma's weather really is that bad). she rolled over and went back to sleep. She awoke to a mis-carriage situated in the middle of a medical crisis.

Thursday, October 27, 2005

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Three.3.1

3a. Guilt is an obstacle to empathy. One will never understand without experience. Relating requires certainty that may only be gained through adversity. One must know failure to understand reaction. The fragile lash out unnecessarily. The sturdy know there is a time and place for everything. This Modern Warrior Archetype might be anti-social but never sociopathic. The rigid only break. Adaptability implies observation. The maladaptive eventually wilt. Those unable to see must listen. Fortune does not favor the stupid. Idiocy is a challenge.

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Three.2.2

2b. Intimidation is both a learned and innate art. Some just don't have the means. The inability can be compensated with attitude and bearing. The ability to shoot straight does not hurt either. This Modern Warrior Archetype walks like it owns the place. The fact is predators look for easier prey than someone capable of striking back. Unfortunately, such judgements are not equal. If called out, one must be willing to strike quickly and then leave quickly. Ground is not always worth keeping.

Monday, October 24, 2005

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Three.2.1

2a. Fear requires management. A little fear is healthy; too much may lead to rashness or even prove paralyzing. A simmer allows for better direction. Opponent may be lead down the path of their own consternation. The disquiet life is profitable. This Modern Warrior Archetype is a master of unease. Swimming below the surface, an adversary's dread is an opportunity for managed projection. Why put effort into something that will maintain itself. The mental plane is a primary sphere of conflict. However, it must be executed with enough consistency to avoid ambiguity. The consequences should be obvious.

Saturday, October 22, 2005

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Three.1.3

1c. Escalation often marks the path of no return. This Modern Warrior Archetype must tread wearily when stepping into such courses. Alternatives must be exhausted. The psychological battle must be entirely spent. In such situations, covert methods and means will often be preferable to overt action as less neutral parties will be dragged into the conflict. Nobody needs more enemies. People like things quiet. Feuds are better silent and distant. The shadows provide useful concealment but muffle nothing.

Thursday, October 20, 2005

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Three.1.2

1b. Psychological warfare can be cooler than other forms of conflict. Insecurities are opportunities to be capitalized. The most subtle will keep an adversary away. The better approach is encouraging an antagonist to further believe that which they already want to believe. Why swim up stream? Fears are easily magnified. If someone chooses to believe something anyway, reinforcement is a much easier task. Why worry about those who will become paralyzed. Hence, neutralization is achieved without lifting a finger. Anything more or less is wasted effort.

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Three.1.1

Part Three.

On Conflict–

1a. As stated previously, conflict is better avoided by this Modern Warrior Archetype. Unfortunately, sometimes conflict is unavoidable. In such circumstances, initiative is the surest (although not assured) path to prevailing. However, unless forced by outright physical attack, this Modern Warrior Archetype preferably ramps escalation forward. In fact, the lower intensities may be played subtly enough to be barely noticed. Intimidation can be a fine art. For such purposes, human behavior is key. One whom knows oneself sufficiently, one may better understand and exploit the small weaknesses of one's adversaries.

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Two

Second Draft

Part Two.1.1
Part Two.1.2
Part Two.1.3
Part Two.2.1
Part Two.2.2
Part Two.3.1 Revisited
Part Two.3.2 Revisited
Part Two.4.0 Revisited
Part Two.5.1 Revisited
Part Two.5.2 Revisited
Part Two.6.0 Revisited
Part Two.7.1 Revisited
Part Two.7.2-8.0 Revisited

Monday, October 17, 2005

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Two.8.0

8. Power and control are not the only things that matter in life. Those consumed by megalomania are something to be resisted by this Modern Warrior Archetype as a disease to be eliminated. However, if applied effectively, power will allow one to remain free with the assistance of those so like minded, a little can go along way. The prize must be made to not be worth the price. The high ground is not just landscape. Control is over-rated. This Modern Warrior Archetype is something to be feared by and only by those that deserve to be a target.

End of Part Two.

Sunday, October 16, 2005

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Two.7.4

7d. Society and culture may stagnate, but the world always moves on. Stasis leads to decadence; decadence leads to nihilism. The strong and vibrant always eventually supplant the weak and complacent. One might be a product; one need not act like it. An awareness is required. Outside reference frames must be cultivated in order to awake. The current state is not universal nor inevitable. This Modern Warrior Archetype must be detached enough to know it, but enmeshed enough to still care. Else nothing will nor can change for the better. Degeneration is the greatest threat.

Saturday, October 15, 2005

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Two.7.3

7c. Power is better gained by influence rather than at gunpoint. Everyone has to sleep sometime. This Modern Warrior Archetype must be knowledgeable concerning the greater world and act accordingly. Ignorance is a recipe for disaster. One must understand the motivations of potential allies and act upon that insight beyond Maximum Advantage in all Things. Often, the top disregards the bottom. This Modern Warrior Archetype knows where the real action lies. Everything falls back to Earth. Below always trumps above in the end.

Thursday, October 13, 2005

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Two.7.2

7b. Power and Control are better quietly accumulated. The noisy are threatening and make easy targets. The process should be as silent as possible. Slow motion makes the least noise. Stalk with no one watching. This Modern Warrior Archetype must not show its hand prematurely. The best defense is surprise. Shock is an insulator. Who knew?

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Two.7.1

7a. Power and control are not mutually inclusive. Control is over-rated. Generally, it expends far more energy than is truly worthwhile. Only the insecure bother with the trivial and unimportant. The calm assurance of retaliation is a far more valuable trait. Some targets are just not worth the effort. Too much makes one bloated; rivals gun for the top dog. Too little risks being rolled over; an easy target is too tempting. The middle ground is preferable. This Modern Warrior Archetype must be balanced. Overreach is off equilibrium. The world seeks the ground state. Space is limited.

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Two.6.0

6. Power may be over-stretched thus compromising control. Unless carefully calculated, so as to only appear extended, the slope will inevitably head downward. Backlash is an accelerant against an already strained power. Eventually, power and control will fall into complete disarray. Empires fall in such manners. Error propagates. The scavengers descend and pick clean the carcass. The remains rot away and fade into history. This Modern Warrior Archetype must learn to avoid he turmoil. Order will be sought, and can be provided without the pathological need for control.

Sunday, October 09, 2005

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Two.5.2

5b. Brutal power displays lead toward resolve in one's enemies. Provocation is an attempt to draw forth brutality which in turn drives the neutral parties toward the other side. Massive retaliation is better curtailed. True power is the ability to eliminate one's enemies without collateral damage. Who needs more enemies? This Modern Warrior Archetype certainly does not need more opposition. Only those lacking control require struggle. This Modern Warrior Archetype does not need control. Power is something else entirely different.

Saturday, October 08, 2005

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Two.5.1

5a. In maintaining power, one sometimes requires a display. If not carefully calculated, the resultant spectacle may prove detrimental. One needs to possess the wisdom to know the degree demanded. When, Where and How Much are important considerations. Lest ones enemies and opponents become emboldened, one does not wish to become over extended. Most sociopaths do not have possession of the correct level of detachment for such determinations. They believe their power to be absolute. In reality, due to systemic failings, those attracted to the notion of power have deeply flawed characters. This Modern Warrior Archetype must learn the means and methods in counter-acting and/or exploiting these defects for and beyond Maximum Advantage in all Things. In so doing, one must understand empathy. One must also know the real enemies. Else one will fail.

Thursday, October 06, 2005

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Two.4.0

4. For a time, power may be maintained through lies. One must know when to quit. Else one risks backlash and control will henceforth suffer. If the lies continue, backlash will continue in a vicious cycle that will bring everything down. Often, as untruths propagate, the propagandist will actually begin to believe it in nearly indirect proportion to other's disbelief. Inflated egos lead to arrogance which in turn lead to idiocy. Eventually, the whole thing begs to be broken like a rotten egg. Additionally, the active attempt will have many passive supporters. Megalomania is a social disease. Its contact vectors are many and varied. This Modern Warrior Archetype will know when to deliver the final blow. The best time to kick someone is when they are down. As always, death to the stupid!

Wednesday, October 05, 2005

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Two.3.2

3b. Martyrdom is the ultimate moral authority. The martyr may produced the most sublime myth and legends. Ultimate sacrifice is rare but powerful. The action creates a legitimacy like no other. Such energy, if not foolishly spent, is the life bread of the fanatic. That kind wishes for death in a glorious cause, therefore better unprovoked. This Modern Warrior Archetype stays away from initiating conflict, but must be willing to engage fanatics whenever necessary. Foreign adventures are entirely different than local affairs. Unless operating locally, This Modern Warrior Archetype must disregard the fanatic. Other cultures have their own internal mechanisms. Mind your own business.

Tuesday, October 04, 2005

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Two.3.1

3a. Establishing mythos is power. The ground floor is always the most energetic. The inheritors have the potential for even greater power. However, everything grows old and declines. The heirs inevitably forget how to create their own legend. If unsustained, relevance is lost. Everything becomes a fable. The strongest mythos are based in religion. Their power is difficult to counter, except possibly another religion (or anti-religion). Economic and political mythos have less staying power. Religion is partially not of this world; all else is more concrete and hence weathers more quickly. This Modern Warrior Archetype knows some battles are best left well alone. The fanatic is not something lightly provoked.

Monday, October 03, 2005

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Two.2.2

2b. Enemies are generally not created without reason. Only a fanatic requires universal enmity. A primary means of avoiding conflicted is accomplished by acting as a middle and brokering deals. Neutral ground is very valuable. Let others destroy themselves by needless expenditures. Squandering resources must be avoided. One must require. This Modern Warrior Archetype knows how to conserve.

Sunday, October 02, 2005

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Two.2.1

2a. As stated previously, control is not necessarily a prerequisite for power. Power may be earned rather than taken. In such cases, control is a hindrance. Only the weak need it. Influence is exploited more easily beyond Maximum Advantage. When one speaks other want to listen. The influential do not need to exert themselves. Their advice is sought. They become powerful. Of course, enemies can be made by such tactics, others will feel threatened by someone who can move without lifting a finger. This Modern Warrior Archetype must seek and cultivate such power, and thus avoid outright struggle. Enemies can be dealt with more effectively with allies. Counsel is a resource.

Saturday, October 01, 2005

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Two.1.3

In gaining respect, one must also relate. Understanding is the key. It need not convey anything more. Projection is better avoided. Judgment is clouded by imposing upon the universe one’s psyche. Interpretation is an entirely different matter. Guides abound, but many lead nowhere worth going. Only the stupid respect the stupid. One must know enough to know the difference. Too few do, therefore few may be this Modern Warrior Archetype. Everything else is a pretender.