This is a two part article with one focused on using social networking for Somalia state and nation building. Part 2 is dedicated to using social networking as a tool for business and Kaizen for PMC’s and PSC’s. This was probably my most challenging and thought provocative topic, and it’s hard to say if I really hit on something of value or not. So to me, this is pure building snowmobiles, and certainly unexplored territory. I also want to warn you, that some of these concepts are kind of out there, but still something to chew on around the water cooler. Let me know what you think. -Matt
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(Part 1)
MySomalia.com
I have been thinking about Somalia for a bit after my discussion with Eeben Barlow and after a little research, I have stumbled upon a concept that I think should be looked at. It is a combination of social networking and private military, all with the goal of building the state and a nation.
I think the Somalia government, with it’s new President, should create a MySomalia.com and attract the millions of Somalis world wide, that give money to their families in Somalia anyways. This diaspora of Somalis, could be tapped into as a funding source, and an activist force for the country. The model for such a thing would be MyBO.com (President Obama’s campaign social network site, that made him 200 million dollars in funding, and rallied millions of supporters)
And to take advantage of the power of tribes in Somalia, you could put an option in the profile building pages of MySomalia.com on what tribe you came from. That way other Somalis could identify their tribes or groups, but do it all under the mechanism of the main group of MySomalia.com. That actually would help enforce the idea of nation, but still allow the freedom to express what tribe you came from. The key to success with a site like this is a strong architecture and a strong brand, and letting your supporters do the rest. It would be really interesting to watch how Somalis and friends of Somalis would help that country, if given this kind of social networking tool.
I point to Noah Shactman’s comment he made on Wired about Obama’s social networking site, and why it worked so well. I think PMCs and Governments would be wise to look hard at the potential of social networks. I know NASA, FBI, CIA, and numerous other private firms are all using social networking sites to exchange ideas and rally the people within those organizations.
“Don’t get me wrong: The campaign’s inner circle showed a Mafia-like omerta, when it came to preventing leaks. It was the most leak-free political team in recent memory. But the wider campaign was a different story. The Obama crowd showed that you don’t need to control those supporters much at all. You just need a strong brand, and a strong architecture – and let your supporters do the rest.” -Wired, Noah
If the UN has problems seeking funding, then Somalia could supplement with this concept of creating a worldwide friends of Somalia social network site, that collects funding that way. NGO’s could sign on, as well as governments and companies, and all of them could contribute funds, along with the single Somali located in some distant country that wants to support with a few dollars as well.
A social network site could also be a source for new ideas for the government. Hell, even the government (which seems to be scattered all over the place anyways), could connect on a social network site, and the business of that government could be handled virtually. Especially if that government is trying to get on it’s feet with security issues and trying to establish that monopoly on the legitimate use of force. Like I said, the government is already scattered in other countries, and what other choice do they have? I think a social networking platform would be an answer to bring the government together. You connect that portion, to the MySomalia.com portion, and now you have Somalis connected with their elected officials.
The second plan, is that if the government of Somalia wants to be a state, it must first answer the basic necessities of a state and gain a monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force. I believe a PMC can provided that physical force for a state, but only a concept of a PMC that is backed up by the conventions of the world. In other words, in order for PMCs to become acceptable, they must be viewed upon as non-competitors with that state, and fall under the states laws and international laws. Accountability is essential, or that PMC will not be taken seriously and they will become demonized. Most of all, the people of the state must accept that the PMC as a mechanism of the state or even the protector of the people and their elected government. It can happen, and I bring up the examples of Executive Outcomes in Angola and Sierra Leone.
The other component that needs to be answered, is the state-building and nation-building of Somalia. I personally think that a PMC that could offer these services, either directly or through subsidiaries, should be looked at as well. Often times, these services are not looked at as very sexy, but really, that is what needs to happen, if a PMC should get involved.
The primary goal for the nation building and state building services, is to get Somalia back into a recognized state that is stable. The definition of a state, based on modern definitions and world convention, could be found with this:
Montevideo Convention from 1933
The state as a person of international law should possess the following qualifications: (a) a permanent population; (b) a defined territory; (c) government; and (d) capacity to enter into relations with the other states.
Now could a contract be written, that could promise the delivery of such a service as getting Somalia recognized? And with these outlines, you can see how a PMC could be instrumental.
One interesting angle, is how an industry in Somalia, is actually thriving in Somalia. The Telecom industry is cheap, and spreading like wildfire. Everyone has phones, and it is certainly connecting the people with one another. So much so, that no one attacks these businesses or cell towers, because they cherish this service. The Somali government needs to fuse with the Telecom, and use that tool of connectivity, to better answer the needs of the local populations.
I also wanted to throw up some statistics about Somalia, that I thought were interesting. Please note the Telecom industry.
Economy of Somalia
(from wikipedia)
Since the collapse of the state, Somalia has transformed from what Siad Barre referred to as “Scientific Socialism” to a free market economy.
Agriculture is the most important sector, with livestock accounting for about 40% of GDP and about 65% of export earnings. Nomads and semi-nomads, who are dependent upon livestock for their livelihood, make up a large portion of the population.
After livestock, bananas are the principal export; sugar, sorghum, maize, and fish are products for the domestic market.
The small industrial sector, based on the processing of agricultural products, accounts for 10% of GDP.
American and Chinese oil companies are also excited about the prospect of oil and other natural resources in Somalia. An oil group listed in Sydney, Range Resources, anticipates that the Puntland province in the north has the potential to produce 5 billion to 10 billion barrels of oil.[58]
While millions of Somalis receive food aid,[59][60] according to a study by the UNDP and the European Commission, it is estimated that as much as $1 billion USD is annually remitted to Somalia by Somalis in the diaspora via money transfer companies—far more than the amount of development funding flowing into the country.[61]
Communications in Somalia
(from Wikipedia)
Somalia’s public telecommunications system has been almost completely destroyed or dismantled. However, private wireless companies thrive in most major cities and actually provide better services than in neighbouring countries. Wireless service and Internet cafés are available. Somalia was the last country in Africa to access the Internet in August 2000, with only 57 web sites known as of 2003.[62] Internet usage in Somalia increased 44,900% from 2000 to 2007, registering the highest growth rate in Africa.[63] Somalia has the cheapest cellular calling rates on the continent, with some companies charging less than a cent per minute.[64] Competing phone companies have agreed on interconnection standards, which were brokered by the United Nations funded Somali Telecom Association.
Telecoms thriving in lawless Somalia
By Joseph Winter
BBC News, Mogadishu
Rising from the ruins of the Mogadishu skyline are signs of one of Somalia’s few success stories in the anarchy of recent years. (I did not post the entire article, just the part about the internet)
Selling goats on the net
While the three phone companies – Telcom, Nationlink and Hormuud – are engaged in bitter competition for phone customers, they have co-operated to set up the Global Internet Company to provide the internet infrastructure.
Somali traders say if business is better without a government
Manager Abdulkadir Hassan Ahmed says that within 1.5km of central Mogadishu, customers – mostly internet cafes – can enjoy service at 150Mb/second through a Long Reach Ethernet.
Elsewhere, they can have a wireless connection at 11Mb/s.
He says his company is able to work anywhere in Somalia, whichever faction is in charge locally.
“Even small, remote villages are connected to the internet, as long as they have a phone line,” he says.
The internet sector in Somalia has two main advantages over many of its Africa neighbors.
There is a huge diaspora around the world – between one and three million people, compared with an estimated seven million people in Somalia – who remain in contact with their friends and relatives back home.
E-mail in Somali
Somalis send e-mails in their own language
E-mail is the cheapest way of staying in touch and many Somalis can read and write their own language, instead of relying on English or French, which restricts internet users to a smaller number of well educated people.
Just two days after it was opened, the Orbit internet cafe in south Mogadishu’s km5 was already pretty busy, with people checking their e-mail accounts, a livestock exporter sending out his invoices and two nurses doing medical research.
Story Here
Edit: 03/08/2009 A friend of mine pointed out that Somalia has three mini-states within the country called Puntaland, Somaliland, and TNG. The concept still applies, because social networking is just a tool. The social networking tool could easily be adopted by each mini-state, within the country of Somalia. Each one could benefit from their specific diaspora out there, and may the strongest online brand and architecture of a state survive. Who knows who would come out on top, or who would make the most money to support their mini-nation. But I definitely think the social networking tool could be used by all. Now some governments might be a little miffed by this, to include our own, but hey, it might make them reevaluate who they are supporting. Or better yet, use the social networking tool in order to better the group they are currently supporting. And what ever country is getting the most money and support, and has the blessing of the world body and the host nation a PMC claims, should probably be the country that a PMC should focus on if they want a contract.
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(Part 2)
MyPMC.com
Now this part is about how PMC’s and PSC’s could use social networking to their advantage, both in operations and in business. The imagination is the limit and I will yet again highlight what Noah had to say about President Obama’s site. I will also remind the reader that I am not trying to make a political statement here, I am merely exploring the uses of such an amazing and little known phenomena as social networking.
“Don’t get me wrong: The campaign’s inner circle showed a Mafia-like omerta, when it came to preventing leaks. It was the most leak-free political team in recent memory. But the wider campaign was a different story. The Obama crowd showed that you don’t need to control those supporters much at all. You just need a strong brand, and a strong architecture – and let your supporters do the rest.” -Wired, Noah
I am about to make the argument that if your company does not have a social networking platform they are using, either for internal operations, or to seek business and market share, that they are missing out on some serious money and Kaizen. As we speak, NASA, the FBI, CIA, and a whole host of other government agencies are using social networking platforms to increase the efficiencies of their organizations. And on a grand scale, President Obama, Nike, and whole league of private industries are using social networking sites to reach out and gain supporters and business. The power of social networking sites like Facebook or Myspace is indisputable as well, and you could even see how important those tools were to countries like Israel during their latest causes. Millions of people are drawn to a brand and well constructed site/organization, and doing amazing things with calls to action and support. President Obama made upwards of around 200 million dollars through his social networking site, drew in and rallied millions of supporters, and a kid in his twenties who helped create Facebook was the one that helped create MyBarrackObama.com. In other words, this technology, transformed a little known legislator from Chicago, into a President, using a social networking site.
But the 65,000 dollar question, is how does a PMC/PSC use social networking and all the Web 2.0 tools that go with it? What is the benefit, and can a PMC/PSC even use something like this? Well, this is where I put on my Mad Scientist cap, and present some ideas.
The Internet is everywhere in this war.
This article answers the question about where the internet exists in this war. It is everywhere, and to say that you do not have connectivity out there, is false. Companies purchase satellite uplinks, and do much business online. I have had to sign into websites for a company, just so I could fill out my pay sheets. So to say that internet connectivity is impossible in war zone, is just not true. So if we have access to the internet, we can have a social networking site for a company. I imagine like this. You sign into the thing, and you have a profile page, a human resources page, finance page, operations page, management page, communications page, etc. It should also have VOIP capability, so that an employee can choose to use the company’s VOIP service as opposed to using Skype or whatever. Or not. The big thing is to create the architecture of a site, that appeals to those already used to using social networking sites. The age of today’s contractors, should give companies a notice, that you have a work force that knows exactly what this is.
Case Study Article: Email And VOIP In The Combat Zone
How important is social networking to the troops?
In this article, they discuss how connected today’s troops are with the internet and social networking sites. They use these Web 2.0 tools for communicating with friends and family. My argument for companies to have their own sites for employees to use, is that at least their employees will not go to Myspace or Facebook to do such things. Give them a place to hang out on, and you will do more to ensure company safety and security, but keeping information all on your site.
Case Study Article: British Troops Mutiny
Case Study Article: ARMY chiefs have sparked a mutiny by banning soldiers from networking websites like MySpace
Instant reporting, with very short 140 character narrations.
Twitter is a weird one, because it just sounds so ridiculous. I don’t use it that much personally, but some out there really get into it. Twitter is a microblogging platform, in which people can communicate with one another in short concise reports, limited by 140 characters. The reason I mention it here, is that Twitter blogging forces the user to narrate exactly what they want to say, and the report is sent out instantly, and read instantly because of it’s size. For a company to be able to use this, would add a feature to their social networking site, that could make communications between everyone very quick and concise. That would mean intelligence reports would be reduced, and those within the company could better focus on items of key importance based on the report. There is something to be said about the simplicity and speed of this kind of communication, if you are trying to cut down on the overwhelming amount of communication going on between everyone. Do you have time as a CEO or even an employee, to read everyone’s posting on the social networking site, or would you like to follow others based on quick little snippets of information, that could help you to clue into something that is important to you and your operation?
Case Study Article: Is Twitter useful after all? From Counter Terrorism Blog
Case Study Article: Twitter comes of age reporting on Mumbai attacks. From Counter Terrorism Blog
How activists use social networking to organize world wide.
This is self explanatory. At this time, activists are using social networking tools like Facebook and Myspace to organize around a cause. They also initiate calls to action, both good or bad, and the riots in Greece and other places have all benefited from the power of social networks. Even Jihadists could use this technology, and I am sure they have already. So why haven’t PMC’s or PSC’s?
Case Study Article: Globally Networked Anarchism (#Griot)
Case Study Article: Rioters of the world unite. From the Economist
Get your employees off Myspace and Facebook, and on to your safer PMC social networking site.
So if you have satellite uplinks out in the field, like most companies have, how safe is it? If your employees are surfing the internet, and using Myspace or Facebook, they could be endangering the company because of security lapses with those sites. Do you want employees talking with friends and family on those sites, do you want them talking with friends and families on your site, or do you not want them talking at all? I say get them on your own site, and tap into that power of a social network. There should be one stop shopping on your social networking site, from VOIP, to emailing service, to free exchange of ideas, to financial records and human resources stuff–all of it should be done on a company’s more secure social networking site. This article points out how insecure Facebook and Myspace are, and what the dangers are of people using those services. Bottom line, millions of people have access to those sites, and that is millions of opportunities for the sites to be attacked.
Case Study Article: Reaching out online in an age of uncertainty. From the Economist
UN funding model and PMCs?
Imagine if the UN actually set up a social networking site, that asked for donations for peace keeping operations? Let’s say Darfur is in the news, and hoards of Hollywood elites and their fans are just itching for a way to stop the violence there. And if the UN has the authorization of the security council to utilize a PMC or PSC, that they could put the word out on their social networking site for a fundraising goal to contract the services. If a member sees that if they give 5 dollars to a deployment fund, that they will be a part of a solution to get a professional force into that country under the auspice of the UN to stop the violence. They could even track the progress of that mission, give suggestions and fresh ideas, and rally others to support that mission. Especially if they knew how much money it would take to keep the operation going. It would be on the UN to brand this correctly, and set up the correct architecture, all with intent of empowering the supporters. And if the UN did not have the troops necessary to stop the violence, then at least they could use PMC’s and PSC’s to answer the calls of their supporters. The UN should answer the question of Can we do this and how will this benefit the world, when ever discussing such things. On the social networking site, the question that could be asked is this “If we do not have the troops, to stop this tragedy, then who should we send?” Do we want to see another Rwanda genocide? Once these kinds of questions are presented, and really worked on within the community, the idea of such a thing could become more common and acceptable. This article discusses how social networking is used to fund world wide problems.
Case Study Article: Change we can profit from. From the Economist
Hire someone to build that social networking machine.
This is just another story about President Obama’s social networking site. He hired Blue State to help create it, and they are looking for other companies to provide services too. If you want it done right, then hire the best–even if the best is some 24 year old kid. LOL.
Article Case Study: Obama’s Secret Digital Weapon
Article Case Study: Socialcast Unveils New Features for Leading Enterprise Social-Networking Platform
Website Case Study: ConcourseConnect is a comprehensive platform for rapidly deploying large online communities—whether internal, external or a combination of both. It is the first platform to bring together online community, social networking tools, integrated customer relationship mangement (CRM) tools and a set of full management tools.
Edit: 03/09/2009 (company profile)
Mzinga : The Shift from ME to WE
Who we are
We’re Mzinga, and we’re proud to say that we’re the leading provider of enterprise social media and learning solutions that drive growth and innovation. We manage more than 14,000 communities—and each month, we serve up more than 1 billion page requests from 40 million unique visitors in 160 countries around the world.
What we do
Our company philosophy is built around the idea of pervasive community. Quite simply, we believe that by using social media and Web 2.0 technologies to enable a dialogue with your employees, your customers, your partners, or your enthusiasts—in other words, by threading community throughout the enterprise—you can achieve tangible business results.
Through our combination of highly scalable, enterprise technology, rich domain expertise, and skilled moderation services, we help businesses achieve higher revenues, lower costs, and greater workplace and customer satisfaction.
But don’t take our word for it. Our customer list includes some of the world’s most recognized brands—companies such as ABC, AOL, CBS.com, iVillage, Chevron Corporation, Johnson & Johnson, Marsh, Inc., Mercer, Prudential Financial, Deutsche Post World Net, and The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation.
Website Here
So who is using this stuff?
From NASA, to the FBI, to the CIA and tons of other groups, this stuff is catching on. They are finding out how these social networking tools actually promote Kaizen and becoming better learning organizations. They are tapping into the intellect and ideas of their work force, and empowering them. Remember awhile back, where I talked about shared reality and people will support what the help to create? Well this is where social networking really kicks ass. Check it out.
Article Case Study: The space agency is mulling widespread adoption of Web 2.0 tools
Article Case Study: One Small Step For Socialcast, One Giant Leap For Enterprise Social Networking
Examples of Government Using Social Networks:
NASA built its own community building, collaborative workspace site. NASA’s CoLab program develops and supports online and offline communities collaborating with NASA. With the involvement of many NASA centers, CoLab provides frameworks for partnership projects between the nation’s space program and talented, creative, tech-savvy communities. In addition to getting people more interested and involved with the space program, CoLab provides a way for individuals to actually contribute to NASA.
Many government agency networks and groups have sprung up on sites like Facebook. EPA’s facebook network, for example, has over 750 members—anyone with an EPA email address can become a member of the group. There are similar examples for most agencies.
USA.gov started a Facebook USAgov page in March 2008, for RSS feeds, videos, photos, and other news. The public is invited to become a “fan” of that page.
The CIA has used Facebook to invite students to apply to work at the agency.
The Library of Congress’ Photostream in Flickr is a good example of posting the government’s public domain photos on a social networking site where the public can comment on the photos.
Story Here
Website: About Socialcast
As a proven, successful leader in the corporate knowledge management arena, Socialcast puts an entire company’s brain to work with its on-demand corporate social networks. Socialcast combines traditional intranet features with social networking functionality and a variety of Web feeds and tools to eliminate knowledge silos and generation gaps in the workplace while fostering collaboration across individual, team, department, and geographic boundaries. Socialcast can be found online at.
How Safe is Social Networking Technologies?
Well if these guys are using it, they must have recognized some way of making it secure enough for all to use. I am sure they have come across a few problems with A-Space, but just the idea that law enforcement and intelligence services are using this stuff, and have found ways to make it secure, is significant. I also think if you can sign on to a bank account or a brokerage account from a computer, they can make social network sites that are secure.
Article Case Study: CIA, FBI push Facebook for spies
* Story Highlights
* U.S. intelligence agencies are urging staffers to use a new social-networking site
* Called A-Space, it’s for analysts within the nation’s 16 intelligence agencies
* Analysts can use A-Space to share information about al Qaeda, other issues
* Only intelligence personnel with the proper security clearance can access the site
Wikipedia: A-Space
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
For the community center in Philadelphia, see A-Space (community center).
The United States Intelligence Community A-Space, or Analyst Space, is a project from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s (ODNI) Office of Analytic Transformation and Technology to develop a common collaborative workspace for all analysts from the USIC. That is accessible from common workstations and provides unprecedented access to interagency databases, a capability to search classified and unclassified sources simultaneously, web-based messaging, and collaboration tools accredited to the HUMINT Control System and Gamma Information Handling (HCS/G).[1] The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) is the executive agent for building the first phase of A-Space. Initial operational capability was scheduled for December 2007.[2] A-Space went live on the government’s classified Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System Sept. 22, 2008.
#1 by Eeben Barlow on Sunday, March 8, 2009 - 7:49 pm
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Hi Matt,
Very thought-provoking, indeed. I see no reason why it cannot work. I think that such a programme can also give a substantial boost to the national will and restore some pride in a tattered nation.
One would however need to give some thought as to who would control that account…
Rgds,
Eeben
#2 by headjundi on Monday, March 9, 2009 - 4:05 am
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Eeben,
I think with this kind of technology, you could almost call the people of that country–a resource. All of these folks left their country because of war and famine, and they scattered to the ends of the earth. And in their little corner of the world, they are making their own money and building a life. But they are still Somali, and they still care about their homeland. You could apply this to any group that has had to make this exodus. So the figures about how much money comes in from that diaspora should not come as a shock. The shocking thing, is why are the governments not taking advantage of this through the one tool that they could use to reconnect these folks back into the country?
You could even take it a step further. Normally, governments that do not have a lot, look to their natural resources, to pay companies and security groups to establish their power base. I look at social networking as one more income source for a country to use. People in this case, are the new oil or gold of Africa. But the best part of this funding resource, is that if the government fails to impress their natural resource called 'people', that they are actually interested in building a country and leading well, then folks will reject their brand and go to the next guy. I bring up Obama, with over 200 million dollars in funding raised, and millions of supporters, all being rallied and organized on a well built social networking site. And a kid in his twenties put it all together.
It is a new way at looking at business today. The other factor to look at, is how fast the internet is spreading. Especially in Africa. These Telecoms are kicking ass, because the governments really can't control them. Especially in failed states like Somalia.(please note the article) So with Somalia, you have increasing connectivity, a massive group of Somalis scattered throughout the world, and a desire to connect with friends and family. Those are some pretty tasty ingredients for a social networking site.
The other business model for PMC's, is to introduce a State and Nation Building Service as part of the package. A big component of this would be the social networking site, because that would be a major source of income for that country, and a way to connect the people with each other and the government. A social networking site could be worked on from any part of the world. With gold or oil, you need to bring in security and the equipment to tap into that resource, and you risk pissing off the local populations. With social networking, it just takes some Chris Hughes types, who can develop the architecture and work the magic. This is so new though, that it is really tough to nail down what would be the most successful business model that would actually produce for that country.
As for controlling the account, that is a good one. I think it will turn into a tool that everyone can use, but will only benefit those governments that really know how to use it and have a strong brand. And in this case, a strong brand is one backed by good governance and a monopoly on the application of the use of force, something that has been lacking in most of Africa. For Obama, he was viewed as 'the Change' and 'hope' we needed. That was his brand, and an entire support base rallied around it. These countries would also have to develop a strong brand, or they will not be able to effectively tap into their natural resource called people. They should just hire Blue State or Mzinga. lol
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#3 by loki on Thursday, May 7, 2009 - 2:19 am
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Crowd sourcing. As a tool of the state, such a resource would be an excellent "barometer of the people". On the other hand, it could wreak havoc as an instrument of dis info – which could benefit either "admin" or "users" – remember the law of unintended consequences.
Social networks are in their formative years, like any teen ager, even the well behaved can cause unexpected problems. You can dig up ALOT of dirt through Facebook and Myspace, and as you see time and time again people are prosecuted for various crime s based on content or behavior as site users. State sponsorship would lend legitimacy to a network, that would infer State responsibility for moderation and investigation of all of the shady dealings that go on within these sites (internal email any one?).
I believe sufficient proof exists as to these sites lending themselves to data mining, if not complicity in a larger information gathering process. These sites are a savvy investigator's dream- and the more features provided to the user the better, and will often provide second source and other relevant material, especially considering the long term process of racketeering and conspiracy casework. A department can save money when the criminal implicates himself by posting a picture of him with the evidence and accomplices.
I'm a little off point considering Matt & EB's approach to the utilization of networks. I think my point is that a third party would have to facilitate a network such as these, if only to maintain an aura of an impartial medium.. The actual start up in terms of equipment, personnel, and CAPITOL, is minute compared to sheer volume of information gathered. I think there are many GOVT's in the hinterland that would be very interested in this capability.
All tinfoil aside, it is the reality of an inter-connected world.
#4 by headjundi on Thursday, May 7, 2009 - 1:57 pm
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Hey loki, good to see you on here. You bring up some great points about the intelligence value of these things.
Here is another angle to why I think social networks are good for companies. Check this paper out, because I think this work is pretty relevant to a discussion about this stuff. Closed systems suck. Social Networking improves the company's and individual's capacity for independent action, and is an excellent tool for fighting closed systems.
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DESTRUCTION AND CREATION
John R. Boyd
September 3, 1976
To comprehend and cope with our environment we develop mental patterns or concepts of meaning. The purpose of this paper is to sketch out how we destroy and create these patterns to permit us to both shape and be shaped by a changing environment. In this sense, the discussion also literally shows why we cannot avoid this kind of activity if we intend to survive on our own terms. The activity is dialectic in nature generating both disorder and order that emerges as a changing and expanding universe of mental concepts matched to a changing and expanding universe of observed reality.
Goal
Studies of human behavior reveal that the actions we undertake as individuals are closely related to survival, more importantly, survival on our own terms. Naturally, such a notion implies that we should be able to act relatively free or independent of any debilitating external influences—otherwise that very survival might be in jeopardy. In viewing the instinct for survival in this manner we imply that a basic aim or goal, as individuals, is to improve our capacity for independent action. The degree to which we cooperate, or compete, with others is driven by the need to satisfy this basic goal. If we believe that it is not possible to satisfy it alone, without help from others, history shows us that we will agree to constraints upon our independent action—in order to collectively pool skills and talents in the form of nations, corporations, labor unions, mafias, etc.—so that obstacles standing in the way of the basic goal can either be removed or overcome. On the other hand, if the group cannot or does not attempt to overcome obstacles deemed important to many (or possibly any) of its individual members, the group must risk losing these alienated members. Under these circumstances, the alienated members may dissolve their relationship and remain independent, form a group of their own, or join another collective body in order to improve their capacity for independent action.
Environment
In a real world of limited resources and skills, individuals and groups form, dissolve and reform their cooperative or competitive postures in a continuous struggle to remove or overcome physical and social environmental obstacles (11,13) In a cooperative sense, where skills and talents are pooled, the removal or overcoming of obstacles represents an improved capacity for independent action for all concerned. In a competitive sense, where individuals and groups compete for scarce resources and skills, an improved capacity for independent action achieved by some individuals or groups constrains that capacity for other individuals or groups. Naturally, such a combination of real world scarcity and goal striving to overcome this scarcity intensifies the struggle of individuals and groups to cope with both their physical and social environments (11,13).
Need for Decisions
Against such a background, actions and decisions become critically important. Actions must be taken over and over again and in many different ways. Decisions must be rendered to monitor and determine the precise nature of the actions needed that will be compatible with the goal. To make these timely decisions implies that we must be able to form mental concepts of observed reality, as we perceive it, and be able to change these concepts as reality itself appears to change. The concepts can then be used as decision-models for improving our capacity for independent action. Such a demand for decisions that literally impact our survival causes one to wonder: How do we generate or create the mental concepts to support this decision-making activity?
Creating Concepts
There are two ways in which we can develop and manipulate mental concepts to represent observed reality: We can start from a comprehensive whole and break it down to its particulars or we can start with the particulars and build towards a comprehensive whole. (28/24) Saying it another way, but in a related sense, we can go from the general-to-specific or from the specific-to- general. A little reflection here reveals that deduction is related to proceeding from the general-to-specific while induction is related to proceeding from the specific-to-general. In following this line of thought can we think of other activities that are related to these two opposing ideas? Is not analysis related to proceeding from the general-to-specific? Is not synthesis, the opposite of analysis related to proceeding from the specific-to-general? Putting all this together: Can we not say that general-to-specific is related to both deduction and analysis, while specific-to-general is related to induction and synthesis? Now, can we think of some examples to fit with these two opposing ideas? We need not look far. The differential calculus proceeds from the general-to-specific—from a function to its derivative. Hence is not the use or application of the differential Calculus related to deduction and analysis? The integral calculus, on the other hand, proceeds in the opposite direction—from a derivative to a general function. Hence, is not the use or application of the integral calculus related to induction and synthesis? Summing up, we can see that: general- to-specific is related to deduction, analysis, and differentiation, while, specific-to-general is related to induction, synthesis, and integration.
Now keeping these two opposing idea chains in mind let us move on a somewhat different tack. Imagine, if you will, a domain (a comprehensive whole) and its constituent elements or parts. Now, imagine another domain and its constituent parts. Once again, imagine even another domain and its constituent parts. Repeating this idea over and over again we can imagine any number of domains and the parts corresponding to each. Naturally, as we go through life we develop concepts of meaning (with included constituents) to represent observed reality. Can we not liken these concepts and their related constituents to the domains and constituents that we have formed in our imagination? Naturally, we can. Keeping this relationship in mind, suppose we shatter the correspondence of each domain or concept with its constituent elements. In other words, we imagine the existence of the parts but pretend that the domains or concepts they were previously associated with do not exist. Result: We have many constituents, or particulars, swimming around in a sea of anarchy. We have uncertainty and disorder in place of meaning and order. Further, we can see that such an unstructuring or destruction of many domains—to break the correspondence of each with its respective constituents—is related to deduction, analysis, and differentiation. We call this kind of unstructuring a destructive deduction.
Faced with such disorder or chaos, how can we reconstruct order and meaning? Going back to the idea chain of specific-to-general, induction, synthesis, and integration the thought occurs that a new domain or concept can be formed if we can find some common qualities, attributes, or operations among some or many of these constituents swimming in this sea of anarchy. Through such connecting threads (that produce meaning) we synthesize constituents from, hence across, the domains we have just shattered.(24) Linking particulars together in this manner we can form a new domain or concept—providing, of course, we do not inadvertently use only those "bits and pieces" in the same arrangement that we associated with one of the domains purged from our imagination. Clearly, such a synthesis would indicate we have generated something new and different from what previously existed. Going back to our idea chain, it follows that creativity is related to induction, synthesis, and integration since we proceeded from unstructured bits and pieces to a new general pattern or concept. We call such action a creative or constructive induction. It is important to note that the crucial or key step that permits this creative induction is the separation of the particulars from their previous domains by the destructive deduction. Without this unstructuring the creation of a new structure cannot proceed—since the bits and pieces are still tied together as meaning within unchallenged domains or concepts.
Recalling that we use concepts or mental patterns to represent reality, it follows that the unstructuring and restructuring just shown reveals a way of changing our perception of reality.(28) Naturally, such a notion implies that the emerging pattern of ideas and interactions must be internally consistent and match-up with reality.(14, 25) To check or verify internal consistency we try to see if we can trace our way back to the original constituents that were used in the creative or constructive induction. If we cannot reverse directions, the ideas and interactions do not go together in this way without contradiction. Hence, they are not internally consistent. However, this does not necessarily mean we reject and throw away the entire structure. Instead, we should attempt to identify those ideas (particulars) and interactions that seem to hold together in a coherent pattern of activity as distinguished from those ideas that do not seem to fit in. In performing this task we check for reversibility as well as check to see which ideas and interactions match-up with our observations of reality. (27,14,15) Using those ideas and interactions that pass this test together with any new ideas (from new destructive deductions) or other promising ideas that popped out of the original destructive deduction we again attempt to find some common qualities, attributes or operations to re-create the concept—or create a new concept. Also, once again, we perform the check for reversibility and match-up with reality. Over and over again this cycle of Destruction and Creation is repeated until we demonstrate internal consistency and match-up with reality. (19,14,15)
Suspicion
When this orderly (and pleasant) state is reached the concept becomes a coherent pattern of ideas and interactions that can be used to describe some aspect of observed reality. As a consequence, there is little, or no, further appeal to alternative ideas and interactions in an effort to either expand, complete, or modify the concept.(19) Instead, the effort is turned inward towards fine tuning the ideas and interactions in order to improve generality and produce a more precise match of the conceptual pattern with reality. (19) Toward this end, the concept—and its internal workings—is tested and compared against observed phenomena over and over again in many different and subtle ways.(19) Such a repeated and inward-oriented effort to explain increasingly more subtle aspects of reality suggests the disturbing idea that perhaps, at some point, ambiguities, uncertainties, anomalies, or apparent inconsistencies may emerge to stifle a more general and precise match-up of concept with observed reality.(19) Why do we suspect this?
On one hand, we realize that facts, perceptions, ideas, impressions, interactions, etc. separated from previous observations and thought patterns have been linked together to create a new conceptual pattern. On the other hand, we suspect that refined observations now underway will eventually exhibit either more or a different kind of precision and subtlety than the previous observations and thought patterns. Clearly, any anticipated difference, or differences, suggests we should expect a mismatch between the new observations and the anticipated concept description of these observations. To assume otherwise would be tantamount to admitting that previous constituents and interactions would produce the same synthesis as any newer constituents and interactions that exhibit either more or a different kind of precision and subtlety. This would be like admitting one equals two. To avoid such a discomforting position implies that we should anticipate a mismatch between phenomena observation and concept description of that observation. Such a notion is not new and is indicated by the discoveries of Kurt Gödel and Werner Heisenberg.
Incompleteness and Consistency
In 1931 Kurt Gödel created a stir in the World of Mathematics and Logic when he revealed that it was impossible to embrace mathematics within a single system of logic. (12,23) He accomplished this by proving, first, that any consistent system that includes the arithmetic of whole numbers is incomplete. In other words, there are true statements or concepts within the system that cannot be deduced from the postulates that make-up the system. Next, he proved even though such a system is consistent, its consistency cannot be demonstrated within the system.
Such a result does not imply that it is impossible to prove the consistency of a system. It only means that such a proof cannot be accomplished inside the system. As a matter of fact since Gödel, Gerhard Gentzen and others have shown that a consistency proof of arithmetic can be found by appealing to systems outside that arithmetic. Thus, Gödel's Proof indirectly shows that in order to determine the consistency of any new system we must construct or uncover another system beyond it (29,27). Over and over this cycle must be repeated to determine the consistency of more and more elaborate systems.(29,27)
Keeping this process in mind, let us see how Gödel's results impact the effort to improve the match-up of concept with observed reality. To do this we will consider two kinds of consistency: The consistency of the concept and the consistency of the match-up between observed reality and concept description of reality. In this sense, if we assume—as a result of previous destructive deduction and creative induction efforts—that we have a consistent concept and consistent match-up, we should see no differences between observation and concept description. Yet, as we have seen, on one hand, we use observations to shape or formulate a concept; while on the other hand, we use a concept to shape the nature of future inquiries or observations of reality. Back and forth, over and over again, we use observations to sharpen a concept and a concept to sharpen observations. Under these circumstances, a concept must be incomplete since we depend upon an ever-changing array of observations to shape or formulate it. Likewise, our observations of reality must be incomplete since we depend upon a changing concept to shape or formulate the nature of new inquiries and observations. Therefore, when we probe back and forth with more precision and subtlety, we must admit that we can have differences between observation and concept description; hence, we cannot determine the consistency of the system—in terms of its concept, and match-up with observed reality—within itself.
Furthermore, the consistency cannot be determined even when the precision and subtlety of observed phenomena approaches the precision and subtlety of the observer—who is employing the ideas and interactions that play together in the conceptual pattern. This aspect of consistency is accounted for not only by Gödel 's Proof but also by the Heisenberg Uncertainty or Indeterminacy Principle.
Indeterminacy and Uncertainty
The Indeterminacy Principle uncovered by Werner Heisenberg in 1927 showed that one could not simultaneously fix or determine precisely the velocity and position of a particle or body.(14,9) Specifically he showed, due to the presence and influence of an observer, that the product of the velocity and position uncertainties is equal to or greater than a small number (Planck's Constant) divided by the mass of the particle or body being investigated. In other words,
Where
is velocity uncertainty
is position uncertainty and
is Planck's constant (h) divided by observed mass (m).
Examination of Heisenberg's Principle reveals that as mass becomes exceedingly small the uncertainty or indeterminacy, becomes exceedingly large. Now—in accordance with this relation—when the precision, or mass, of phenomena being observed is little, or no different than the precision, or mass, of the observing phenomena the uncertainty values become as large as, or larger than, the velocity and size frame-of-reference associated with the bodies being observed.(9) In other words, when the intended distinction between observer and observed begins to disappear (3), the uncertainty values hide or mask phenomena behavior; or put another way, the observer perceives uncertain or erratic behavior that bounces all over in accordance with the indeterminacy relation. Under these circumstances, the uncertainty values represent the inability to determine the character or nature (consistency) of a system within itself. On the other hand, if the precision and subtlety of the observed phenomena is much less than the precision and subtlety of the observing phenomena, the uncertainty values become much smaller than the velocity and size values of the bodies being observed.(9) Under these circumstances, the character or nature of a system can be determined—although not exactly—since the uncertainty values do not hide or mask observed phenomena behavior nor indicate significant erratic behavior.
Keeping in mind that the Heisenberg Principle implicitly depends upon the indeterminate presence and influence of an observer,(14) we can now see—as revealed by the two examples just cited—that the magnitude of the uncertainty values represent the degree of intrusion by the observer upon the observed. When intrusion is total (that is, when the intended distinction between observer and observed essentially disappears,(3) the uncertainty values indicate erratic behavior. When intrusion is low the uncertainty values do not hide or mask observed phenomena behavior, nor indicate significant erratic behavior. In other words, the uncertainty values not only represent the degree of intrusion by the observer upon the observed but also the degree of confusion and disorder perceived by that observer.
Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics
Confusion and disorder are also related to the notion of entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics (11,20) Entropy is a concept that represents the potential for doing work, the capacity for taking action, or the degree of confusion and disorder associated with any physical or information activity. High entropy implies a low potential for doing work, a low capacity for taking action or a high degree of confusion an disorder. Low entropy implies just the opposite. Viewed in this context, the Second Law of Thermodynamics states that all observed natural processes generate entropy.(20) From this law it follows that entropy must increase in any closed system—or, for that matter, in any system that cannot communicate in an ordered fashion with other systems or environments external to itself.(20) Accordingly, whenever we attempt to do work or take action inside such a system—a concept and its match-up with reality—we should anticipate an increase in entropy hence an increase in confusion and disorder. Naturally, this means we cannot determine the character or nature (consistency) of such a system within itself, since the system is moving irreversibly toward a higher, yet unknown, state of confusion and disorder.
Destruction and Creation
What an interesting outcome! According to Gödel we cannot— in general—determine the consistency, hence the character or nature, of an abstract system within itself. According to Heisenberg and the Second Law of Thermodynamics any attempt to do so in the real world will expose uncertainty and generate disorder. Taken together, these three notions support the idea that any inward-oriented and continued effort to improve the match-up of concept with observed reality will only increase the degree of mismatch. Naturally, in this environment, uncertainty and disorder will increase as previously indicated by the Heisenberg Indeterminacy Principle and the Second Law of Thermodynamics, respectively. Put another way, we can expect unexplained and disturbing ambiguities, uncertainties, anomalies, or apparent inconsistencies to emerge more and more often. Furthermore, unless some kind of relief is available, we can expect confusion to increase until disorder approaches chaos— death
Fortunately, there is a way out. Remember, as previously shown, we can forge a new concept by applying the destructive deduction and creative induction mental operations. Also, remember, in order to perform these dialectic mental operations we must first shatter the rigid conceptual pattern, or patterns, firmly established in our mind. (This should not be too difficult since the rising confusion and disorder is already helping us to undermine any patterns). Next, we must find some common qualities, attributes, or operations to link isolated facts, perceptions, ideas, impressions, interactions, observations, etc. together as possible concepts to represent the real world. Finally, we must repeat this unstructuring and restructuring until we develop a concept that begins to match-up with reality. By doing this—in accordance with Gödel, Heisenberg and the Second Law of Thermodynamics—we find that the uncertainty and disorder generated by an inward-oriented system talking to itself can be offset by going outside and creating a new system. Simply stated, uncertainty and related disorder can be diminished by the direct artifice of creating a higher and broader more general concept to represent reality.
However, once again, when we begin to turn inward and use the new concept—within its own pattern of ideas and interactions—to produce a finer grain match with observed reality we note that the new concept and its match-up with observed reality begins to self-destruct just as before. Accordingly, the dialectic cycle of destruction and creation begins to repeat itself once again. In other words, as suggested by Gödel's Proof of Incompleteness, we imply that the process of Structure, Unstructure, Restructure, Unstructure, Restructure is repeated endlessly in moving to higher and broader levels of elaboration. In this unfolding drama, the alternating cycle of entropy increase toward more and more disorder and the entropy decrease toward more and more order appears to be one part of a control mechanism that literally seems to drive and regulate this alternating cycle of destruction and creation toward higher and broader levels of elaboration. Now, in relating this deductive/inductive activity to the basic goal discussed in the beginning, I believe we have uncovered a Dialectic Engine that permits the construction of decision models needed by individuals and societies for determining and monitoring actions in an effort to improve their capacity for independent action.
Furthermore, since this engine is directed toward satisfying this basic aim or goal, it follows that the goal seeking effort itself appears to be the other side of a control mechanism that seems also to drive and regulate the alternating cycle of destruction and creation toward higher and broader levels of elaboration. In this context, when acting within a rigid or essentially a closed system, the goal seeking effort of individuals and societies to improve their capacity for independent action tends to produce disorder towards randomness and death. On the other hand, as already shown, the increasing disorder generated by the increasing mismatch of the system concept with observed reality opens or unstructures the system. As the unstructuring or, as we'll call it, the destructive deduction unfolds it shifts toward a creative induction to stop the trend toward disorder and chaos to satisfy a goal-oriented need for increased order.
Paradoxically, then, an entropy increase permits both the destruction or unstructuring of a closed system and the creation of a new system to nullify the march toward randomness and death. Taken together, the entropy notion associated with the Second Law of Thermodynamics and the basic goal of individuals and societies seem to work in dialectic harmony driving and regulating the destructive/creative, or deductive/inductive, action—that we have described herein as a dialectic engine. The result is a changing and expanding universe of mental concepts matched to a changing and expanding universe of observed reality.(28,27) As indicated earlier, these mental concepts are employed as decision models by individuals and societies for determining and monitoring actions needed to cope with their environment—or to improve their capacity for independent action.
#5 by loki on Friday, May 8, 2009 - 6:04 am
Quote
That is an interesting article, very dense, no sarcasm meant by that, seriously.
When we talk about productive potential of social networks, keep in mind it closes that circuit into the OODA loop with with all of the other information being collected. The info collected would be my first priority. Registration for an internal network could be approached with information delivery in mind. It could collect all of those details, and deliver things like SOG's, job aids, and HR geared forms. Print, digest, sign and return without holding their hand. Automation is king.
I agree with the effectiveness of OODA, eating soup with a knife, and other concepts that argue for to develop learning cultures amongst professionals. My criticism is that before long these means become ends. A learning culture must first admit there are problems. Thomas Edison said he found 1000 ways to not make a light bulb. In that case failure was given scrutiny, instead of outright dismissal. We could all be so observant.
We also have a tendency to focus on one element at the expense of another. I have read rumblings of push back concerning the direction Patreaus, Nagl and others are taking DoD with "new COIN". The summary of my reading would be that we are moving towards a CIVPOL role for our armed forces. In the Fire Service, more districts are moving towards having Fire/Medics as opposed to Fire/EMT. It looks great on paper, though not every one is cut out to be a paramedic. You end up with second rate medics or hack artists. If you train an army of little nation builders, that takes them away from field craft and conditioning, things that would be very nice to know if talking nice to people doesn't pan out. I don't say any of that as slight to any one in service. There is already a seasoned cadre of folks who are very good at negotiating with locals on the ground.I think that cheapens the service of a guy who looked at jump school as a qualification, not an identity. I know that I'm rambling at this point. The US actually has an extensive COIN history, despite that, we have until recently focused on the leviathan force model. Now that COIN is catchy, we'll do more with less. Making do with what you have is one thing- turning a 19 yo, six weeks out of AIT into a nation builder is ludicrous.
Sorry to wind on like this. I share many interests with your approach to effective leadership and performance. Learning to adapt is what got our species here today. I like these as tools, more often than not, they become a powerpoint ranger's battle cry.
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