Thomas P.M. Barnett :: Weblog

concur wholeheartedly w/ "falling slowly." very disappointed 'there will be blood' wasn't best picture: i mean, how new core was that film?

Sometimes you just have to go for it Tom, perhaps it's time for you to take that next big step and put it all on the line. I know it's not easy taking risks when you have a family counting on you, but Fortune favors the bold.

In my typical awkward way, let me just say that what you are doing is crucially important.

Your insight is critical to understanding our changing world.

Each time you boldly go where no one else has gone (because the world has not been in this posture before, or at least, not in a while) we can have some difficulty.

However, because you have planted these ideas in our heads -- through your books and through the blog -- we are better equipped to understand what is happening.

To be able to view the world from this unique perspective gives all of us -- all over the world -- a huge advantage.

I look forward to reading your Chapter 5 on American history because it has the potential to, once again, fulfill this important role -- helping us understand -- and giving us a huge advantage.

Now, Mr. Barnett, you're reaching the point at which your work is no longer for yourself. It's for the rest of the world, for the generations growing up now and still yet to come.

You're already put forth ideas that cover the history of America and the rest of civilization up to the Bush II era. You've already sealed your position as a visionary with ideas worth following, even though it may take the rest of your own natural life (and the work lives of many devotees) to make it happen. Maybe your current "chapter" (treatise?) on American history should not be so simple, but revisionist and more pointed in its orientation and scope. Just an idea there...I don't know how you're really working it, of course.

But my point is this: the work drives you, and yet the result of all that work is not for you. Welcome to the zen side of your career--you can "do without doing," as the saying goes. It's also part of the theological side of your life, if you want another context...it's a very deep religious thing to give of yourself for the good of others. I hope that your sense of purpose continues to drive you forward.

All major writing projects have several moments of despair.

(I am in the middle of one now, myself, and time is slipping away ...)

The only way out of the sack is forward.

Make an outline for the parts you haven't written, and type the sumbitch. Physically typing makes the mental gears come unstuck.

Once you have roughed out the boulder, you can refine it into a shape you can work on.

You know all this.

Trying to say something new and brief about the totality of American history is literally impossible. So, just say what you need to say about it for your purposes, to move your arguments forward, recognizing the inevitable limitations.

Many people (including me) will quibble about facts, details, assessments, etc.

But the only way to keep the conversation going is to keep throwing stuff at the wall, and take your lumps.

But you know that, too.

Dr. Barnett,

you wrote ... "and I know what I was put on the world to do and I know that it's going very well and that that's more important than ... " bingo! How founded and lucky you are!

" ... we shall never, never give up!" - Part of a Churchill quote not at my fingertips right now, with very limited time on my hands

Kudos to you Dr. Barnett, keep up the great work and keep writing!

Stick with.

Your ability to capsulize and systematize is a tremendous source of hope for many people and you know that those to whom you speak "get it" but it is your generation and those after you who will be able to make it all happen.

You have been blessed and cursed for having an "occupassion"

Tom, go for it and don't ever regret it - God gave you a gift of clarity don't bury it - your best is yet to come.

My wife also saw "Once" on an airplane and raved about it. Bringing Marketa back for her "thank you" was probably the best thing that we ever saw in an Oscar show.
JRR: I agree with you about TWBB. I think it is a fascinating exploration of what it took to get the job done. The people who move a country from Gap to Core aren't necessarily nice guys, but we need them. I haven't read Sinclair's book, but I'll bet the contrast is stark, and very interesting. Makes a good fit with Dr. Barnett's struggling over American history.

Tom,
Interesting you write of the movie 'Once' and your soul searching in one post.
I too loved that movie which in its own way is a little journey....as is your writing.
I of course like your political insights, but its your touch of intuition and feel for the divine that keep me reading.
Thanks,

Occupassion is good. I will use that.