Military Recruitment and Marketing's Influence

Reading through the news this AM and I come across an article in Bloomsburg on the volunteer military. What I find interesting is that younger people are difficult to recruit then they were in the past. While I can understand the desire to make more money and those types of things, I do believe the youth will find service of this type more important when they have a better understanding of it. The signaling and messages may be off, but I think it can be fixed. 

Marketing attracts different types of people based on conscious and subconscious priming. For example, guys/gals busting down doors is one type and a sense of belonging is another. Many of our youth may be interested in the later more than the former. Yet each has its benefit in attracting the diversity from guys/gals busting down doors to cyberwarriors that are needed. 

Alas, the article.....

US Military’s Recruiting Woes Are a National-Security Crisis

Check out this video below. I would be curious if the different type of demographics from each advertisement is being tracked and how one might coordinate that for a total mix of recruits for various roles. Following that train of thought, it is also possible to create/recruit units based on psychodemographic characteristics that lead to higher performance and longer term retention. You can read something on recruitment trends HERE.

Marketing can do all types of wonder things when needed. Think of what the core message is in this recruitment video and how we can take that basic need and find new was of displaying and attracting specific talent through a deeper value set calling. Anyway, I'm a supporter of the Military not only for what it does but what it stands for.....

The Values Associated with July 4th, Each and Every Day

A very nice video on 4th of July. An excellent show! When I see videos like this I'm very much appreciative of the sacrifices people have made (Even though I have a Muslim sounding name I also made sacrifices. I understand there are some who disagree. ). I also think we have some work to do to create a universal democracy where all of our people are treated with dignity and respect. In our daily lives some are and some are not (Most places are doing what they should be doing, but some are not and don't really have a plan to do the right thing.)

For the most part the vast majority of people do agree upon these values and continue to strive for them every day. The problem we face is there are pockets of people out there who are still mistreating others and seek to create second class rules to ensure them and their groups benefits (They may sometimes not even be conscious and more of a subconscious projection seeking to put other down to raise themselves.). Remember that democracy and our liberties belong to all of us (Not those who given Defacto immunity because they know the right people.)

To them, these freedoms are often seen as a game and a manipulation. A roll of the dice or a card game in which they used our future in wild bets and higher stakes. To me, they are a learning experience on how quickly we can tread down the wrong path if we don't start taking our duties and oaths seriously. 

When you find such systems broken and not functioning in the best interest of society, be polite but also be challenging. It doesn't improve by simply doing nothing and allowing those who misuse these laws continue radically promote a distorted narrative (Or if they have already, simply allowing them a free pass also seems inappropriate. It says a lot if others were aware of inappropriate behaviors. Doing so leads to social learning on who is a second class citizen and who is above the law. i.e. immunity since they started.) 

Tell the truth and report them to other agencies that have a better grasp of what our Constitution and Bill of Rights actually mean. Don't expect justice, but you should strive for the system to become stronger and better and more able to maximize our human capital for the benefit of everyone. That starts with close system self reflection and making some attempt to fix it. We have an obligation to pass a good democratic flame to the next generation (It wobbled some in the past few years and may of our leaders still don't grasp why all of us are important to our future success. Friends and political donors won't get us there. We need commitment that moves beyond party politics and into evidence based decision making. The sacking of the capital, which could have plunged the U.S. into a major internal turmoil, should be a wake up call as the type of bi-partisan solutions we need. Many in our political positions have begun to walk upon the path of solving problems. I encourage them to keep doing so, even if it upsets a far right or left radical within their party. The idea of democracy and America is more important than their friends or their pocketbooks..)

We should all be working together. Its more important than me, you, the clan, or corruption. Its elemental to democracy (whether we believe it or not.)

Running Around Louisville During 4th of July

Different events and things going on in Louisville. A few snap shots running around town. Its a nice city and lots of stuff going on through the weekend. Missed the parade because I got confused between Jeffersonville and Jeffersontown or something. Paristown and Crescent Hill pictures.
I saw an article on the economic value of celebrating HERE.

 

Fourth of July is a Time to Remember How to Support Democracy (Avoid Backsliding)

The Fourth of July is a special day where we should remember the sacrifices of our veterans as well as those who support democracy in word and deed everyday. Its the little people that keep democracy supported as much as it is the big battles overseas.  That freedom doesn't exist in every place and every town in the way it is expected by everyone. We can all do our little part in living the practices we profess through encouraging walk the talk behaviors through greater expectation.

The Carnegie Endowment of Internationa Peace wrote an interesting piece on backsliding democracies just in case you don't know what that means. Understanding and Responding to Global Democratic Backsliding

The future danger to our democracy is present and that often happens in our local towns through social connections and Good Old Boy networks that take care of "their own". There are likely many others but I believe this is a place where it is most likely to slide through stubborn un-American principles persisting (I have been debating on the word un and anti Americal. I don't think they are anti because they do believe in freedom as long as it applies to them. The unAmerican part is dropping those values when it comes to others outside their network. i.e. the "outliers" or "outsiders"). These are often defined as the social, religious, racial, lifestyle and cultural similarities that weave them into a homogeneous clan based insider/outsider cultic association. 

Let us discuss a hypothetical situation. We know this is a hypothetical situation because it is seen as generally impossible in modern conventional wisdom. However, let us explore the flight of fancy in it all.....Crazy as it Sounds. 😵

A few people want to enrich themselves off of what would be deemed a minority (Minority or not, it doesn't make a difference in bad behavior but does sort of help determine intent to harm and some of the justifications for such behaviors). The initiators are provided immunity and coaching by close law enforcement friends. When discovered, they double down on helping their clan members enrich themselves and when the *hit hits the fan they rally their wagons to protect themselves (Notice the targets don't have those same local protections.). 

(Unless your dealing with a beach bum you got to imagine someone is going to say "no" and maintain their boundaries. Probably why escalating and corrupt behaviors were the preferred and albeit commonly used tool to silence legitimate criticisms. Also why I believe unaddressed community complaints could be better served by having a 'Concern' button right on the front page with disclaimer that such complaints will be vetted by a third party first i.e. civil rights lawyer, to ensure general compliance with our basic Constitutional rights. There are many other ideas and maybe its a dumb one but what is likely to happen is much more organization of information for future research as well as breaking open what appears to be intentionally closed system that is allowed to carry forward without responsibility to change or serve its mission.)

What would make this sort of more of a bitter pill is that the initiators were given immunity before, coached others on how to be malicious, spread rumors provided justification for harm (and more stuff), escalated their friend network and when it was all over given a wink and nod only to likely have it return at some point in the future (I'm sorry I sometimes go way way out there on a limb! ).

To me, this is a day to remember how easily our democracy can backslide when certain behaviors are encouraged and rewarded in a way that risks the integrity of institutions. The good news is that while these closed systems often are free to engaged in any third world behavior they desire, sometimes these are opportunities for growth. As a people I encourage my fellow Americans to be kind with each other, reach for higher democratic ideals, and be on the watch for corruption and backsliding behaviors that may someday leave our democracy teetering on a free fall (i.e. Capital Riots. I think its called by some tail gaiting)

*Its just a thought experiment so it means nothing really. 

**One way to support policing is to improve tactics, recruiting, and performance. That may also include better mechanisms to deal with community complaints and accountability for inappropriate behaviors.

***One can support democracy through freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Gagging intellectuals through intimidation would be moving in the wrong direction. ...I don't really know...apparently everyone else is the expert. 

**** Proof in pudding is outcome. Right now the outcome appears that misbehavior and maliciousness is more important than doing the right thing. Hypothetically we don't need to do anything because these are impossibilities. Just remember you can't profess something and then not bother to support it. That is what lowers trust. Its normal in human relationships.

Getting Early AM Rowing In

 Early AM rowing. Some teams are practicing for races. I'm not around enough to race but will engage in some training for exercise and fill in for last minute emergencies. Today was a double and it was already hot out!

Prayer for America - Celebrating July 4th - America Independence Day

The Drive for Money: What the Philosophers Say

All good karma!
Which pebble are you?

Money is so important to people and comes to define just about everything in our modern lives. Who are our friends, what car we drive, where our kids go to school, the social clubs we are involved in, who we date/marry and more. Certainly being poor sucks but money is the one thing that seems to be a driving force behind many of our lives and while there have been times in my life, I believe that money is important but I don't think it is the primary goal for everyone (Its a tool. Nothing more.). 

I live by the philosophy that if someone can take it, then it wasn't yours to begin with (Life of hard knocks I guess. We learn young but that learning makes us very insightful so its not a complete loss.). That comes from learning very few things in life are permanent. Enjoy each moment for what it is and then let it go. Everything in this life is on loan. That being said, most people make just about every decision in their lives about money or who has money (Some can sort of distance themselves from it and others master money.). 

There are 7 money personality types, says psychology expert. Which one are you? Some very good explanations on money. Shows different types of money personalities. There is no right or wrong. There is only seasoning on steak (Tofu if your vegan. 🤢)

Wealth can lead to more satisfying life if viewed as a sign of success vs. happiness. A new study found that viewing wealth and material possessions as a sign of success yields significantly better results to life satisfaction than viewing wealth and possessions as a sign of happiness.

I found this interesting article on money in ancient Greece. Kind of cool. Either way, money is great, feel free to make as much as your heart contends. Just don't be its slave......

I found two article I thought were sort of interesting. 

1.The Root of Money is Evil . I don't actually think money is evil at all. It is a source of good things. It separates those who know what to do with money from those who don't know what to do with it. Its a defining thing of our times and it becomes central to the modern buzz of life. Money should be used for enjoyment and life quality. Some of it should also be used for charity. A balance of self indulgence and giving hope. Two ways of using money I guess. Like Ying and Yang. I always wanted to sort of built a company for my grand kids (Boarding school dreams. I loved the days. These people taught me things just to teach me and I learned some really good stuff. Give back to the Capuchin Monks and Imams in my life. Good people. I don't really care what you think about either one. They were good people trying to good for others.) and for charity. Maybe fund a whole orphanage is sort of in my long term plans. Set it up as a separate non-profit entity self funded and focused on preparing orphans to really have a chance in the corporate world. To copartner with American companies in Mexico to develop opportunities for kids to really beat their grueling past. Its sort of long, long, term goal. Probably won't happen but you never know. Another one would be to fund gifted programs for not only American kids but also maybe international kids. A small school, highly enriched, and then perhaps set them up with companies to sponsor them in college and maximize their skills. One part of me feels like it is elitist but the other part is these kids are in their own sort of world and its not fair for them to be out there alone. They need people like themselves to really grow. Its unfair either way. Those are some serious debates and I'm not even sure how I would come out on the end of it in my perspective. 

2. How Did Philosophers Support Themselves? I find this sort of interesting. Could one in modern life support themselves purely through philosophy? (Before you judge I like what I work in now because I give back so I don't plan on me being a true Beach Bum anytime soon. More of a poser. If you see me in flip flops and my ripped jeans in Ocean Beach or in Escanaba don't blame me. I'm striving for greatness! We all have goals! Mine have always been lofty! When I think back I think I have accomplished all goals except three. I'm not going to say what those are. Either way....we are the journey. I think those three will be accomplished but I'm not 100% sure either. They are sort of those things that sort of run as a long theme.)