Normal times in history occur when long-term strategy and short-term tactics are in balance [homeostasis]. Long-term strategy is anchored in the future; meanwhile short-term tactics are focussed on the present. The difference is not just the time perspectives that strategy and tactics represent but the inclusion and exclusion of options. Strategy is full of options and flexibility. Tactics is maintained by the exclusion of options and flexibility.
We live in a cycle dominated by tactics that exclude options and flexibility. The common feature of this cycle is "group think". And it is no coincidence, perhaps, that this cycle is sustained by collectives. Collectives ultimately squeeze out the serendipity, flexibility, and uniqueness brought to society by individuals. Therefore society becomes a collection of groups that aggressively pursue conformity, homogeneity, collaboration, and "one think".
The more that short-term cycles prevail within our society the more social order will breakdown. The first break comes with the lack of trust. And when individuals lack trust in each other then the trend is to collaborate with those who covet "one think". Collaboration is a sure sign that the focus of an entity has been captured by a cycle of short-term tactics. In this mode the influence of long-term strategy can become overwhelmed by our collective obsession with short-term tactics.
How can you tell if you are prone to accept the dominance of "group think", "mob think", or the "ignorance of collectives". My simple answer is not sophisticated, tested, nor full of wisdom; however, here it is. If you are impatient to see humans establish a colony on Mars then you have a healthy respect for what individuals bring to society and an open mind towards the importance of human imagination. At the core of long-term strategy is human imagination.
In this era of collectivism and short-term tactics it is important that you [and I] retain and refurbish our belief in human imagination. Human imagination will take men and women to Mars because it can help us to create a long-term strategy that shall make this event an integral part of our future.
Richard.
Comments