keeping sane, one word at a time
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Male; Age 25; Likes Ultimate Frisbee;
Here's a favorite quote of mine from Tropic of Cancer p.99, "I have found God, but he is insufficient. I am only spiritually dead. Physically I am alive. Morally I am free. The world which i have departed is a menagerie. The dawn is breaking on a new world, a jungle world in which the lean spirits roam with sharp claws. If I am a hyena I am a lean and hungry one: I go forth to fatten myself."
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Wednesday, March 17, 2004
The Soldier of the Future
I've been slowly crafting this idea in my head about what direction Canada should be taking internationally. The countries of the world are beginning to mix socially and financially at an increasing pace: globalization. The second phenomena that is creeping along with globalization, but rarely makes the headlines, is a planet-wide energy crisis. If we follow the lead of the US we'll end up alienating ourself from the rest of the world and have nothing but a small cache of oil to show for it. We can't be certain about the future of our race or our planet, in terms of a sustainable energy solution, but what is clear is that using our remaining breath to stake claim to this ever diminishing "resource" is a waste of time.
Another waste of time is blaming the US. Canada has been fortunate in a number of ways: 1) We have a reasonable amount of oil. 2) We have few enemies because of it. 3) We have the US right beside us. As a result, we've become overly dependent on American money and military power. So, why spend money on a Canadian military that plays traditional roles? Okay, some will say, to our credit, that we do have peacekeepers. Fair enough, but look at the state of our military and of our standing internationally. The former is in a decrepid state, while the latter is satisfactory at best (which was accomplished through lying low).
I propose we retrofit and retrain our army, navy and air force for the purpose of building. Building what you ask? Building a better planet. Starting at the third world level, we bring and build the technologies, specifically, energy technologies, to improve the quality of life of the globe. That might initially involve more building, but eventually it'll involve educating. A lot of this is already going on, behind the scenes through volunteers. Many good things come out of this arrangement. We give renewed purpose to a military that has very little direction. We give renewed purpose to the entire country in fact, because energy research then becomes an important aspect of the "civilian" population. We take an aggressive, but constructive stance on this problem. This is how I see the soldiers of the future.
7:35 PM
592-7256 for future reference
7:03 PM
Sunday, March 07, 2004
I'm leaving Kingston right now, on my way back out West to Victoria. The trip was a success. I was able to diagnose all dominant modes of sensor failure and was able to get my thesis into a submittable form. With luck, the defense date will be set for end-o-March/ early-April and I'll be able to get on with the Ph.D.
On another note, I can't remember my fucking phone number in Victoria. I think it's 592-something:) Too much travelling...
7:19 AM
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