Latest talk in DC

Amphitheater in Ronald Reagan Building DC where I spoke yesterday at Blackwater-sponsored event for new magazine on stability ops called Serviam.

Comments

[Jerry Hendrix]

Wish I could have been there to see it. Of course we were hip deep in the roll out of the Navy and Army's POM 10 plan. Still, let us know the next time you are coming as I need to update my understanding of the SysAdmin way ahead.

[Nate Edwards]

I got to see you lecture, and came away very impressed. You must have done this presentation many times over the years since The Pentagon's New Map, because the lecture seemed to flow effortlessly. Or at least it appeared that way.

I think your understanding of all the trends that drive international relations and security frameworks is great. And they certainly do drive towards the conclusion that you advocate is almost "inevitable." Or at least it seemed that way during the talk. But having just finished Nassim Taleb's book The Black Swan, I wonder what you think about black swans (which go against the inductive trends derived from observations) and how they play into your theories. It seems to me that, yes there is a certain inevitability about the process, but the certain big events, or black swans, could change the course and direction of the trends you are analyzing. Just some thoughts on a fantastic and thought-provoking presentation.