Thoughts on the “New Media” (Updated)
Thoughts on the “New Media” – compiled by Small Wars Journal
Last weekend I sent out the following “RFI” to a number of bloggers I know:
Andrew Exum’s post / review of Tom Ricks’ The Gamble several weeks ago at Abu Muqawama got me thinking (once again) about the impact of the “new media” on issues concerning national security, military doctrine and concept development, as well as lessons learned. As one part of this new media I’m not sure I fully grasp our influence — though I am often told we are, quote — “making a difference”. Here is the excerpt from the AM post that got me thinking about this.
“The New Media: Ricks cited a discussion on Small Wars Journal once and also cited some things on PlatoonLeader.org but never considered the way in which the new media has revolutionized the lessons learned process in the U.S. military. (Forget Abu Muqawama, though, because this lowly blog started around the same time as the surge.) Instead of just feeding information to the Center for Army Lessons Learned and waiting for lessons to be disseminated, junior officers are now debating what works and what doesn’t on closed internet fora — such as PlatoonLeader and CompanyCommand — and open fora, such as the discussion threads on Small Wars Journal. The effect of the new media on the junior officers fighting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan was left curiously unexplored by Ricks, now a famous blogger himself.”
I’d like to get your thoughts on this – nothing elaborate — maybe a paragraph or two on the core issues concerning the new media and it impact on the military. I’d then like to post the responses I get as one post on SWJ.
Appreciate the consideration.
What follows are the replies I received through yesterday. Some stuck to the one-two requested paragraphs, some sent more. Rather than attempt to “over edit” and get some uniformity I opted to go with this initial batch of thoughts on this issue.
All good stuff that hopefully energizes a discourse on the impact of new media and its influence on military doctrine, concept development, training, education, and lessons learned. Without further ado (and in alphabetical order) here is Spencer Ackerman, Tom Barnett, Janine Davidson, Andrew Exum, Grim, Judah Grunstein, Dave Kilcullen, Raymond Pritchett, Mark Safranski, Herschel Smith, Starbuck, Michael Tanji, and Michael Yon…
Thoughts on the “New Media” – compiled by Small Wars Journal
Update:
Counterinsurgency and the New Media – Andrew Exum, Abu Muqawama
New Media Poised to Change the Future National Security Debate – Raymond Pritchett, Information Dissemination
SWJ, New Media and COIN – Judah Grunstein, World Politics Review
Thoughts on the New Media and Military Blogging – Herschel Smith, The Captain’s Journal
New Media + Old Military = New Military – Jules Crittenden, Forward Movement
The “New Media,” the Surge, and the Writing of History – Mark Grimsley, Cliopatria
Media Blitz – Spencer Ackerman, Attackerman
New Media and Modern War – Joshua Foust, Registan
Legacy Futures in Cyberspace – Adam Elkus, ThreatsWatch
Small Wars Invitational on The Surge and New Media – Grim, Blackfive
The Difference – Greyhawk, Mudville Gazette
Recommended Reading – Mark Safranski, Zenpundit
Counterinsurgency and the New Media – Starbuck, Wings Over Iraq
