{"id":46938,"date":"2014-09-08T12:00:11","date_gmt":"2014-09-08T11:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/?p=46938"},"modified":"2018-10-13T11:44:03","modified_gmt":"2018-10-13T10:44:03","slug":"flaws-in-us-thought-and-some-remedies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/2014\/09\/flaws-in-us-thought-and-some-remedies\/","title":{"rendered":"Flaws in US Thought–And Some Remedies"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kuala Lumpur<\/em><\/p>\n

Obama faces a “three-headed monster” (INYT<\/em> 5 Sep 2014): Russia-Ukraine, ISIS, and Asia with a US “pivot”. Show NATO strength in Eastern Europe; crush ISIS (Colin Powell’s 9\/11 remedy for Al-Qaeda); 60% of US force and “all but China” treaties in Asia-Pacific.<\/p>\n

It is not going to work. Not with Obama-Biden-Kerry, nor with McCain; be it one monster with three heads or three with one each. There is no way in which Donbass will become a peaceful, integrated part of a unitary two-nation Ukraine; the Sunni-Arab world will find ways to integrate and undo Sykes-Picot; and no way in which one Asia-Pacific will choose USA over China. They want both, as the PM of Malaysia, Najib Razak, expresses it so well; eulogizing both.<\/p>\n

For possible solutions or ways out see below; first a focus on the head of the US monster with a heavily flawed brain. Of course there are many US voices on top, heated discussions; however, policy, action produced by thought, comes as if from one brain to show unity. However, the flaws are also many, producing and reproducing bad policies.<\/p>\n

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  1. Mistaking the map of world states for world reality<\/em>.<\/strong> They have governments and leaders; the USA relates to them, as a unit. But most of them are far from unitary; they have deep faultlines inside.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Remedy<\/em><\/strong>:<\/strong> A map of world nations<\/em>, 2,000 rather than 200, might help to overcome culture blindness<\/em>: as, for instance, not knowing Shia\/Sunni when invading Iraq; not knowing Uniate\/Orthodox, Ukrainian\/Russian in Ukraine; or the incredible cultural complexity among and within Asian states.<\/p>\n

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    1. Confusing conflict with violence<\/em>.<\/strong> Or “trouble”. Handling conflict becomes handling violence toward cease-fire or capitulation, then tidying up the “post-conflict” situation, only to discover that the violence reappears, perhaps with a vengeance. Nothing solved.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Remedy<\/em><\/strong>:<\/strong> Separate the concepts: conflict means incompatible goals, violence is to harm-hurt; solve the conflicts to avoid the violence.<\/p>\n

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      1. A brain programmed for victory rather than solution<\/em>.<\/strong> Not that solution, e.g. by diplomacy, is unthought; but the wiring brings up victory (to dictate the solution) more easily. With violence and conflict mixed, untangling the wiring becomes very difficult.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Remedy<\/em><\/strong>:<\/strong> Learn handling conflicts: identify acceptable, legitimate goals in all parties, also USA, design a reality where they are met.<\/p>\n

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        1. Standing in the way: the <\/em>DMA deep culture syndrome. <\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n