Life is a Beach: We should Live on It! (A Beach Bum's Poem)

 Life is a beach and not all things in this world are fair. We know this and we know that we can only influence things only so much. So I'm trying to come up with a good little jingle on life and life's unfairness from a beach bums perspective.

Let's not take things too serious. I have the wrong type of name so everything I do going to be an issue. It makes little difference who I am as a person (at least to some). That is the danger of hate...it marginalizes a huge percentage of society and while I might feel its unfair...many feel that is the way it should be. It creates barriers where there should be none. That often comes from the values people project.

Convincing people to reach for something greater takes a little effort. It also comes with all of the risks. Rollin the dice with moral conscious. :) Ok seriously this poem has got to be the dumbest poem I ever wrote! 🤣 If you embrace the truth, you can help others acknowledge the need to make out nation competitive. We are beginning to see the the benefits of fairness and human motivation.  Being diagnosed a genius doesn't mean things will be more fair (I don't feel like a genius that is just what a couple people said based on some preliminary assessments). I'm just a single dad raising mixddbrace kids in uphill conditions.

I don't want to leave you hanging. All systems can change and if your positive, polite, and work toward the greater good it makes no difference what anyone else thinks. Many are struggling to find their own way in life, some never see beyond their own nose, and yet we have an obligation to give back whatever little wisdom we can no matter who disagrees with it. I pray for wisdom and helping others to embrace a better way.

I don't plan on becoming a full beach bum, just someone who sort of tries to enjoy each day. Focuses on what is important. There are certain values we all have and we should all share. They may be buried in plain sight.  The good news is we can turn the unfair into an opportunity. Flip the script on hate for a learning opportunity.

I come from hard knocks I can trach others to overcome. The moral of the story is....you have to answer that for yourself. 

The Beach Bums Poem

Toes in the sand, 

listening to a band. 

Life is unfair,

wear jeans with a tear!

How Strong Policing Leads to Economic Development (Creative Class and Digital Nomads)

We have a lot of controversy in our society over policing right now. I'm a 100% police supporter and 110% Civil Rights supporter. There is a cost and impact to strong and weak policing tactics that often lead to creating or dwindling the prospects of a growth environment. Any economic cluster will need to have a working location that accepts differences in order to attract the best and brightest minds the market can offer. The most readily and currently accessible groups are the creative class and the digital nomad demographics that can be used to spark growth. 

To deal with a more eclectic group of visitors who want to vacation, create things, start businesses, enjoy life etc. we need to open our policing perspective a little more to create an enriching environment. While its not the only factor, policing can have a significant influence on the welcoming nature of the environment (or unwelcoming if there are groups and clans). Positive interactions and relationships are key to long-term retention and growth of different types of people.

To help or hinder in the development of our nation is an important consideration. My perspective is that 80% of our officers and departments do the right thing but there is a 20% that don't do the right thing. Maybe they not only don't do the right thing but some of them might absolutely do the wrong thing. All systems must continue to adapt and this would certainly be one we can build more trust. Trust comes from consistently doing the right thing and making sure the stakeholders also consistently support the right thing (i.e. the higher value versus the lower values. If your have a hard time understanding what that means reread it a few times and let it sink in.)

The Controversy of Function: To Help or Hinder

Law enforcement has a important role of not only being enforcers of the law (imperfect lower copy of societal will and values) but also to protect and serve (higher universal function supported by most). Thus there are two functions that lead to basic trust and that comes from the intent and its application. Engaging in helpful behavior means ensuring the higher function of protecting and serving (central shared value)  while engaging in hinder oriented behaviors would be over focus on the law (a lower order concept that is often an imperfect carbon copy of societal will and values.)

(We can't really go into a long winded discussion here but just remember laws are debatable through the legislative process, social context, courts, officer correct/incorrect beliefs that lead to behaviors, etc. Deeper moral universal values are shared by everyone and bubble up in history over and over. )

Dysfunctional Systems

Dysfunctional systems cause issues across the developmental landscape, ranging from economic loss all the way over to poor system performance. When one looks at systems and their functionality they should seek to also view other markers/data from a holistic 360 degree type perspective (Forest and trees). They may find unaddressed complaints, retention issues, lawsuits, population decline, low trust ratings on surveys, etc. as contributory variables/factors to the problem. Because policing can have a significant impact on creating an environment of economic growth, they should seek to understand their deficiencies and devise plans to improve (This is where outside perspectives can really help. Diversity is important to ensure the system reflects everyone's needs. The central need for policing is maintained but its performance is improved through accurate feedback and development.)

Functional Systems

Functional systems are one's in which they are inclusive by nature and seek the greatest moral good (i.e. to protect and serve) and through that growth outlook they get better at applying the law as intended by the legislative process (Corruption is intentional misapplication). The higher moral order must come before the lower moral order and if they are reversed then we have trust issues and other dysfunctions that make their way through the system (see above). Proper alignment of perspective keeps the entire institution striving for ever more perfect performance (Its probably not 100% attainable but its the striving that makes a difference.). When the goal is higher then the function itself, then the function begins to change. When that is reversed, the function/dysfunction comes to define the system and it resists helpful change.

Secondary Markers

One may ask if it is possible to highlight a poor functioning system in order to address issues that may have been intentionally ignored or suppressed by local stakeholders (Good old boy networks)? The answer is yes. Just like one might assess a person one could assess a system through secondary systems. They don't necessarily need a direct observation of particular events but the wider spider data that relates to the latent function. For example, an easy example would be complaints and the general process and resolution status. Another might be poor performance of a department, lower societal distrust, high expenditures, injury rates, etc... If one is going negative across the board on various markers it means it might not be a well run department and may be doing significant harm to the rest of the economic-social system. 

Moving down that line of thinking (I haven't actually done it but only want to hypothetically highlight the power of understanding a problem and how big data can help resolve some issues.). After one has listed all of the potential markers and determine which problems are ongoing they can find more solutions. One could implement different reform initiatives and still not find significant improvement. That could mean many things of which stickiness of numbers and likely a deeper cultural or other issues. Its organizational management technique similar to what you would find in a company or within a team (At least I think that might be how Sherlock Holmes might do it. I mean hypothetically!)

Law Enforcements Impact on Economic Development

We know what poor law enforcement might look but that doesn't necessarily tell us what strong law enforcement looks like. First these are just general comments and not designed to be too specific. Focus on the bigger picture, seeking long-term solutions, enforce the laws as intended, comfortable with racial and religious differences, transparency, highly trained, positive-polite personality, etc... we kind of know what the wish list is. For example, this study shows the positive impact of policing on crime. Study shows positive impact of ‘procedural justice’ police training. You may want to consider this study on Styles of Policing and Economic Development.

Keeping in mind that creative people and digital nomads are going to have differences when compared to the average population (I'm just saying this as a sort casual observational average.). They are likely to come from diverse backgrounds, highly educated, fun loving, adventurous, have a little pocket jingle, somewhat Pro society, do novel things, dress funny, etc. Consider The Complex Personality of Creative People and 45+ Exciting Statistics About Digital Nomads in 2023

After you read these articles you will realize there is likely going to be some variance in behavior and if one understands them they are part of what makes creative people creative. Having the right environment changes the script and turns mediocre into exceptional. Poor environments will end economic growth (i.e. population decline and rise 🤔) Stifle those differences and you have no basis for anything but conformity. Thus, the more you conform, the less variability, less discovery and less adaptability (Everything in balance. You do need mostly followers but blind followers are not considered positive contributors. General coordinated behaviors toward community goals is considered a positive influence.).

 From an economic perspective, I like the creative class and digital nomads as basic build blocks because they add to both the business and vacation/recreational personality of the area. As a bonus, beyond short-mid term rentals they also spend money in restaurants and might even buy a place at some point to settle. As a population with differences than the bell curve, we would need policing to be able to handle differences that may vary from their normal homogeneous social networks and perceptions of life. Thus, poor policing, clan behaviors, Good Old Boy networks, racism, etc., can be detractors from the overall health of a location and the residents that live within it. One would sort of need to study how much influence each of the factors have on the functioning of the whole. Saying that is meant to be helpful (Some might think its the opposite but they might need to check their assumptions.)

Michigan's $2Billion in Incentive Funding: Other ways of developing long-term advanced manufacturing (i.e. DC Cluster Model)

A news article came out today that I thought was really interesting. It discusses the way Michigan has been incentivizing its advanced manufacturing industries. In many ways, these seem related primarily to EV development. Considering that this field is likely going to impact other fields such as space design, military and household goods such things as lawn mowers, it makes sense to focus on the root production of some technologies. That may also require looking at resources as a way to attract future FDI in other sectors beyond the incentivizing itself. 

(I look at this stuff from a cluster standpoint and putting together the components for innovation and growth. Sometimes you just have to try new things. One of the reasons why multiple stakeholders might be interested in the Delta County Cluster Model as one method to foster a rapid development model as one way to beat out international competition in manufacturing. Not to mention as a way to develop our capacities. Micro manufacturing, prototype and design.)

Michigan funneled $2B into luring big business. Here’s where it went.

Economic Vines
Some wither some flourish

What I kind of find interesting, is that it is possible to increase FDI in manufacturing through the development and exportation of raw materials as well. You can read the report below. It does make a case for resource development as a contributory augmentation of manufacturing. Thus, I would sort of think of raw materials as being a big part of development. Thus, one will want to ensure that they have a balance between U.S. based raw and precious materials mining and those obtained through investment in locations overseas to help procure a stable supply of those resources. One might call this a supply chain development practice. Anyway, the study is below (Remember one really has to look at many studies to understand a situation. I'm just saying I might draw a little knowledge from this study).....

Does foreign direct investment influence manufacturing sector growth in Middle East and North African region?

One might wonder, beyond attracting manufacturing from incentivizing is it possible to capitalize on 1.) new supply chain and infrastructure developments to secure our natural (and precious) resources as well 2.) connect resource suppliers to the U.S. supply chain systems for supply chain security and efficiency?

Its an unsupported idea but sometimes its worthwhile to look at other ways to raise FDI beyond incentives to create longer term sustainable growth. We can't incentivize forever so incentivizing is pinpointed to initial growth but state management by our bi-partisan stakeholders makes a bigger mid and long-term differences. For example, being strategic about which countries can supply our EV and advanced manufacturing should be tied to our systems and domestic development to maintain the supply chain in the event of emergencies is helpful. (Other reading. Export Nation, Regional Exports)

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.