Good speech. The numerous errors in transcription took a little away from it, especially given the first message about doing simple tasks well. A University should have higher standards on their site.
Adm. McRaven Urges Graduates to Find Courage to Change the World
21–30 of 124 posts
Re: Adm. McRaven Urges Graduates to Find Courage to Change the World
#22So, how is all this going to help these guys beat the inevitably emerging robot army?
The robot army will be more tenacious, more disciplined, more reliable, more obedient... in short, it will have all the qualities mentioned at a much higher level...
Trying to install habits in men to the point they become machines is futile because... we have machines. And machines are controlled by conscious entities. Want to improve yourself? Don't become a machine. Work on becoming more conscious. More intelligent in ways machines never will. That's the future.
Re: Adm. McRaven Urges Graduates to Find Courage to Change the World
#23This was an interesting article, though most of the points seem to revolve around the theme of "Never giving up". I found the first one particulary interesting (the make your bed one). here's the points in summary: 1. "Make your bed" - start your day off by accomplishing a small task. Little things in life matter and add up. 2. "Find someone to help you paddle" - You can't accomplish great things alone, you need frie…
I have numerous ones in my profile. My favorite is:
Therein lies the best career advice I could possibly dispense: just DO things. Chase after the things that interest you and make you happy. Stop acting like you have a set path, because you don't. No one does. You shouldn't be trying to check off the boxes of life; they aren't real and they were created by other people, not you. There is no explicit path I'm following, and I'm not walking in anyone else's footsteps. I'm making it up as I go. - Charlie Hoehn
Re: Adm. McRaven Urges Graduates to Find Courage to Change the World
#24Earlier quoted context omitted.
C'mon now, this isn't a political article, let's not mire the discussion in politics irrelevant to the link
It's a motivational speech by soldiers to soldiers, I guess it's fair to debate that aspect. To be honest I was surprised to see such link at the top of HN, so I'm really curious to know what other HN fellows like coldtea think about it. EDIT: I know the folks are not soldiers, but the tone of the speech makes it sound as that IMHO
The tone almost makes it a recruitment speech in disguise.
Re: Adm. McRaven Urges Graduates to Find Courage to Change the World
#25The Navy Seals I have known in my life have been the most honest, bravest, and intelligent people I have ever known. I'm grateful people like this exist in the world.
I can't get behind people trained for the most part to kill other people. The bravest to me are those that refuse to be goaded into harming their fellow human beings at the behest of others. The line between 'brave seal' and 'tool' is a thin one.
This is a horribly naive viewpoint. You've fallen into the trap of making a judgement of someone based on a popular understanding of a particular profession rather than any factual reality.
And here are the facts:
1. There is evil in the world. 2. That evil sometimes hurts innocent people. 3. We need some way of protecting innocent people from evil.
I'm reminded of the current hullabaloo about Boko Haram and the kidnapping of several hundred girls from a school. exactly who do you think is going to do anything about rescuing those girls? Exactly what kind of campaign do you think is needed to meet that challenge?
I see from your profile that you're in the Netherlands. I spent an afternoon at the Anne Frank house several years ago. I'm guessing you feel that she deserved NO protection whatsoever?
I'm always amused at the opinions of those who live in safe countries with comfortable lives and how they have no concern for the people who keep them safe and comfortable.
Maybe you should learn a little more, eh?
Re: Adm. McRaven Urges Graduates to Find Courage to Change the World
#26The Navy Seals I have known in my life have been the most honest, bravest, and intelligent people I have ever known. I'm grateful people like this exist in the world.
I can't get behind people trained for the most part to kill other people. The bravest to me are those that refuse to be goaded into harming their fellow human beings at the behest of others. The line between 'brave seal' and 'tool' is a thin one.
If only nobody anywhere in the world was trained to kill other people, our country (and yours) wouldn't need to ask people to sacrifice that part of their humanity in service to their countrymen.
You might read Marlantes _What It Is Like To Go To War_. You might find that while SEALs are happy to speak proudly what they've learned in basic training, not so many of them speak happily about what war forces them to do during deployment. Those people trained for the most part to kill other people probably agree with much of your sentiment about their job.
Re: Adm. McRaven Urges Graduates to Find Courage to Change the World
#27So, how is all this going to help these guys beat the inevitably emerging robot army? The robot army will be more tenacious, more disciplined, more reliable, more obedient... in short, it will have all the qualities mentioned at a much higher level... Trying to install habits in men to the point they become machines is futile because... we have machines. And machines are controlled by conscious entities. Want to impr…
The robot army will probably be more predictable. Tease them, lure them into a trap - boom. Watch them for a while and learn their patterns. Same as with non-robot troops.
So, make them unpredictable? Their efficiency drops, they become less useful for ordinary operations. You can't win.
Except by doing what the Army does - they have regular soldiers, and they have Special Forces who's mandate is to do whatever it takes, even the unpredictable. Deployed into situations where the regular kind won't work.
I don't see robot forces ever approaching what we can already do with the right trained team.
Re: Adm. McRaven Urges Graduates to Find Courage to Change the World
#28So, how is all this going to help these guys beat the inevitably emerging robot army? The robot army will be more tenacious, more disciplined, more reliable, more obedient... in short, it will have all the qualities mentioned at a much higher level... Trying to install habits in men to the point they become machines is futile because... we have machines. And machines are controlled by conscious entities. Want to impr…
The drill instructors are proud to see us growing beyond their control. The Marine Corps does not want robots. The Marine Corps wants killers. The Marine Corps wants to build indestructible men. Men without fear.
-- Full Metal Jacket
Re: Adm. McRaven Urges Graduates to Find Courage to Change the World
#29The Navy Seals I have known in my life have been the most honest, bravest, and intelligent people I have ever known. I'm grateful people like this exist in the world.
I can't get behind people trained for the most part to kill other people. The bravest to me are those that refuse to be goaded into harming their fellow human beings at the behest of others. The line between 'brave seal' and 'tool' is a thin one.
Good sentiment, but 'bravery' is not the right word. Those refusing to participate are not really risking much, certainly not their lives (or being captured and tortured for instance). So pretty much different.
But considering the world we live in, I'd much rather have Seals on my side. Properly trained ones.
Re: Adm. McRaven Urges Graduates to Find Courage to Change the World
#30It sounds like an impressive speech. I understand people share his values. The bravest and most meaningful action I saw from a military person was a college roommate who had returned from active duty as a Marine in the Gulf War. I don't know if his training was as intense as a SEAL's but he saw active duty and looked long and hard at his actions and those of this country and applied to become a conscientious objector…
The military, no military would function if each member went their own way and did their own thing. It's OK to not serve if you disagree with the leadership, just don't sign up. You can change the world by working to oust corrupt politicians, Republicans and Democrats and Libertarians. Understand though that freedom is not free, there's always someone waiting for the opportunity to take over your country and they don't care at all if you are a conscientious objector.