The Fog of War

On Thursday we'll be watching The Fog of War, a documentary film by Errol Morris. The film's subject is Robert S. McNamara, US Secretary of Defense under Kennedy & Johnson. After watching the film, we'll discuss it the following Tuesday. You may also choose to write one of your three semester papers on this film.

In anticipation, here's an outline of the "eleven lessons" from the life of Robert McNamara, as highlighted in the film:

1. Empathize w/ your enemy.


2. Rationality will not save us.


3. There's something beyond one's self.


4. Maximize efficiency.


5. Proportionality should be a guideline in war.


6. Get the data.


7. Belief and seeing are both often wrong.


8. Be prepared to examine your reasoning.


9. In order to do good, you may have to engage in evil.


10. Never say never.


11. You can't change human nature.

Also, remember that there'll be a quiz on Tuesday over Chapters 1-3.