Brief Review of “On Combat”

I recently had the pleasure of finishing: OnCombat: The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War andPeace, by Dave Grossman and Loren W. Christensen.

 http://www.amazon.com/On-Combat-Psychology-Physiology-Conflict/dp/0964920514

Obviously, Public Invention has nothing to do with combat. In fact, I eschew the creation of weaponry. I believe mankind needs to focus on the creation of what Buckminster Fuller called “livingry”---inventions which make life better for mankind.

Nonetheless, this a great book in and of itself. However, it is also relevant to Public Invention.

Lt. Col. Grossman is creating (along with others) what he calls “warrior science”. This is simply the scientific study of the affect of combat on the warrior, and the warrior on combat. I emphasize scientific because of course since the Iliad and Mahabarata war has been a central theme of mankind's stories. Only recently has the warrior been studied scientifically, leading to insights that can help the warrior both in combat and more importantly after combat. Among the most important realizations of this science are physiological and psychological effects that were previously unexplained and therefore disbelieved, often leading to warriors being treated with shame and incredulity.

Although interesting, I will not recap these important findings here, because they are not relevant.  However I invite you to read this excellent book if you are interested in that sort of thing.

What is relevant, however, is that Grossman and others have done and are doing for a different field what I want to do for Public Invention. They have written Warrior Science 101. Perhaps only the first edition, but they have clearly amassed a valuable body of knowledge on the subject.

So, can we do the same for Public Invention? Well, invention is probably harder, because, by definition, it must be new. In 500 BC solving a triangle was a great and innovative achievement, but today it is not. In 1609 BCE a telescope was a great invention, today it is not.

However, we should not let this discourage us. The matter is simply untried at present. There have been studies of creativity. There are studies of genius. I don't think there has been a study of systematic attempts to improve the world by teams of inventors motivated by altruism rather than money.

So I remain hopeful that we can begin “Public Invention 101”, and develop a culture and technology of world changing.

As it happens, I am still waiting for you to join me---so don't be shy. Please comment or promote this blog.