Osinga Roundtable on Science, Strategy and War: The Author’s Reply
“One day you will come to a fork in the road. And you’re going to have to make a decision about what direction you want to go.” [Boyd] raised his hand and pointed. “If you go that way you can be somebody. You will have to make compromises and you will have to turn your back on your friends. But you will be a member of the club and you will get promoted and you will get good assignments.” Then Boyd raised the other hand and pointed another direction. “Or you can go that way and you can do something – something for your country and for your Air Force and for yourself. If you decide to do something, you may not get promoted and you may not get the good assignments and you certainly will not be a favorite of your superiors. But you won’t have to compromise yourself. You will be true to your friends and to yourself. And your work might make a difference.” He paused and stared. “To be somebody or to do something. In life there is often a roll call. That’s when you will have to make a decision. To be or to do? Which way will you go?”
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historyguy99:
February 12th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Mark,
I want to thank you and the Chicago Boyz for the opportunity to participate in this roundtable. It was a rewarding experience, and very heartening to read Dr. Osinga’s comments on our reviews.
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Col Boyd’s final words of advice,………….And your work might make a difference.” He paused and stared. “To be somebody or to do something. In life there is often a roll call. That’s when you will have to make a decision. To be or to do? Which way will you go?” This advice compliments something I have on my blog heading. “Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.”- Buddha.
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Boyd’s compassion for his friends and his his country, lead him to find a strategy to help them survive. We all can take a lesson in his words.
Ski:
February 12th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Great stuff, and thanks to all for participating.
zen:
February 13th, 2008 at 3:00 am
Much thanks guys! I’m glad everyone enjoyed it – it’s nice when blogs can rise to their potential and get beyond the snark of the day to tear in to something substantive like a good book.
Yurtdisi Egitim:
February 24th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
does anyone knows if there is any other information about this subject in other languages?
zen:
February 24th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Hi Yurtdisi,
John Boyd’s ideas have made their way into the doctrinal writings of a number of NATO countries’ MoD. For examples, your best bet is to write Colonel Osinga directly at:
fransosinga@yahoo.com
Most of John Boyd’s original briefs can be read at DNI.net , DNI2 and Belisarius.com:
http://www.d-n-i.net/
http://dni2.wordpress.com/
http://www.belisarius.com/