Fight the Fight

CNN is reporting that Robert McNamara has passed away.

This is hitting me harder than any of the other recent deaths because The Fog of War really influenced my intellectual evolution.

I realize that he's was considered a controversial individual for his perceived role in bringing about and perpetuating the Vietnam war, but his ability to openly talk about the past in great detail, admit mistakes, and apply lessons learned to future relations is extremely admirable.

Here's his 11 lessons as shown in The Fog of War:

1. Empathize with 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 reexamine 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

When just reading this list, it seems pretty cold and callous, but if you haven't seen the movie, please do. It's context is very powerful with lots of perspective and evidence.

I'm going to watch it again soon.