FORCE DESIGN FORCE DESIGN

FORCE DESIGN FORCE DESIGN

By Andy Weddington

Saturday, 19 October 2024

A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.  - Henry Adams

Some 47 years ago I sat in a classroom for a semester and marveled as the late Dr. Thomas Tedford taught an obscure course titled 'General Semantics.' 

It was in essence a survey course covering the discipline founded by Count Alfred Korzybski he codified in a tome, 'Science and Sanity.'

'Science and Sanity' is challenging. 

Thankfully, John C. Condon, Jr. translated and synthesized Korzybski's mind-blowing work into something understandable, digestible, and applicable to daily life in 'Semantics and Communication.' [This book I have read, as reminder, at least once annually the past 47 years.]

I've previously written about General Semantics - the study of how language (words and symbols) influences human behavior. So, I'll not say much more than there is reality, reality translated into words/symbols, and there is consciousness of what words/symbols do (e.g., edit, twist, completely misrepresent, etc.) to reality and how humans accordingly behave thereto. 

Korzybski thought of that consciousness as sanity.

Easy it is to get caught up in believing things and events and the words/symbols used to describe those things and events are one and the same. 

Nothing could be further from the truth, the reality. 

Words and symbols represent, and poorly, they do not replace. 

The words "Force Design" have been on mind for some time (years) and once in a while they surface for consideration.

Recently was sent me yet another article written by a retired Marine critical of 'Force Design 2030' - the controversial makeover of the Marine Corps to supposedly make the Corps more lethal - but to one potential enemy: China.

Force Design 2030 was General David Berger's (previous Commandant) baby.

It was embraced and heralded beautiful, by some; namely designers (Marines) and none-the-wiser crowd (politicians). 

And not long after published began a gentlemanly war of words - debate; warriors, including Marines, not so impressed. 

Along came General Eric Smith (present commandant) who adopted his predecessor's now deemed ugly baby. 

The words war continues - because the Marine Corps is believed less capable; difficult to argue otherwise with reductions of firepower, combat support capabilities, and trigger pullers. 

The article's author concluded the two commandants are "active incompetents" while the none-the-wiser crowd "passive incompetents."

But is it possible so many senior, educated, experienced folk - military and civilian - could make for such incompetence?

It's the bothersome question. 

Reflecting on teaching of Dr. Tedford and lessons of General Semantics ...

The words 'force' and 'design' can be noun and verb.

Perhaps it was not noun but verb Force Design from beginning? 

Regardless ...

War is insanity and swords not words will settle the debate. 

The sane endure.