Weekly Signals - Nov 13, 2023
Proportionality Edition
Three Articles
Proportionality Of War - Eric Ruben
This isn’t actually an article, but rather a long-form tweet, followed by almost a dozen referential research links. If you want a military lawyer’s view of proportionality and what constitutes an unlawful war crime, this is it. It’s also revealing how much X/Twitter can inform/misinform you, if you do (or don’t) know what to look for, and how much your intellectual filters need to be honed in.
Ezra Klein Podcast, featuring Yossi Klein Halevi
Fascinating interview with the author of Letters To My Palestinian Neighbor. I had to read/listen to the podcast a couple of times to absorb the nuances of the regional dynamics. Zionist, but center-left, and highly critical of Netanyahu and the military’s past conduct. Well-rounded dialogue here.
The Mysterious Pre-Game Ritual of a World Series Star - WSJ
Baseball and my personal disciplines collide. I’m a baseball nut, and Seager’s approach is fascinating to me. It also immediately made me think about my own spiritual, mental and physical disciplines. What am I doing consistently, out of the world’s eyes, that sets me up for success?
Am I "breaking down my swing" each day, and starting from scratch in my relationship with God, my wife, my kids, and friends. Do I begin each day with the realization, rest, and joy of being fully loved by those individuals?
Finally, do I have "video feedback" by walking closely with friends who can see everything in my life?
One Question
We make decisions every day about choosing one relationship over another. We “prefer” to each lunch with various teammates, we prioritize to answer one phone call or email over another. We rarely have to make hard life-or-death choices though, like a surgeon in triage, deciding who to operate on, or the now-famous choice of Capt John Miller to send Private Ryan home. We see it now in the Israeli-Hamas war.
What would be your decision matrix for choosing one life over another?
One Person
Trevor Hightower is a fellow entrepreneur out of Ft Worth. He’s been through the ups and downs of starting, running, and winding down a business, but has never lost his zeal for life, and his infectious smile comes from a place of deep joy. He’s in ag now, just like I am, and like me, had little background in it before he got into the game. More than that, though, he is a natural coach and leader, and you can see it in his writings online, and in-person. Hit him up the next time you are in Texas.