Before me I survey my messy desk. I should clean it up.
But first - before I clean it - an audit of stuff on it:
1. 402 page book that I read this week by William H. McRaven "Spec Ops - Case Studies is Special Operations Warfare: Theory and Practice". I especially enjoyed the Entebbe raid story. He presents 9 separate special operations missions and provides an analysis based on a series 6 principles under the flagstaff concept of 'Relative Superiority'.
'Simply stated, relative superiority is a condition that exists when an atacking force, generally smaller, gains a decisive advantage over a large or well-defended one.'
Carl von Clausewitz, in 'On War' wrote that the
'defensive form of warfare is intrinsically stronger than the offense. It contribues resisting power, the ability to preserve and protect oneself. Thus, the defense generally has a negative aim, that of resisting the enemy's will... if we are to mount an offensive to impose our will, we must develop enough force to overcome the inherent superiority of the enemy's defense.'
Von Clausewitz is basically saying to win against an entrenched enemy, an attacking force of superior numbers has to be mustered (not mustard, as this is a tasty condiment not suited for offensive missions).
And in view of special operations theorists these days, that's not always possible, and so the concept of relative superiority comes into play. Or so writes McRaven (what a strange name).
The graph here described how, over time during a mission, there is a crucial threshold of relative superiority that is surpassed, and from then on it is equally crucial to maintain the position of relative superiority, be it by stealth, surprise, positioning or calm efficacy, in order to win the battle.
Well that's all I want to say about this book right now, it's fun comparing this to Sun Tzu's 'The Art of War' as I've just read that over again recently.
2. A mug covered in pictures of log cabins, canoes, fish, fishing rods, a moose and a bear.
3. A stack of Turkish DVDs that need copying.
4. An IKEA tin container filled with pencils, pens and more...
5. Wallet sized pictures of Spring and I and of Monty, printed from a colour printer at Spring's work.
6. The loose ends of Christmas wrapping paper.
7. The January-February 2006 issue of American Scientist, the magazine of Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society. Not to be confused with Scientific American, or with Modern Brewery Age, the professional's source for the beer brewing industry.
8. Some of my old business cards.
9. A pair of tweezers.
10. A half-filled container of One Step Hand Sanitizer.
11. A flashing wireless router.
12. A small piece of birch bark that I got from a tree deep in Algonquin Park.
13. A torn napkin.
14. A remote control.