Blog 12 CG

The Fog Of War is a documentary style film telling the story of Robert McNamara, former US Secretary of Defense. He talks about his experiences as president of Ford Motor Company during both World Wars and the Cuban Missle Crisis. These unforgettable events shaped his life. They taught him how to make choices in crisis situations, how to meet lifes challenges. He gives a list of eleven things that his lifes experience has brought him.

1. Empathize with the enemy.
2. Rationality will not save us.
3. There is something beyond oneself
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.


Why bother making a set of rules anyways?I think McNamara used it as a way to explain his reasoning for his actions. I think he may feel the need to apologize to people for things that happened in the war during his time. He may feel responsible because he had such influence. Also, he was brought under a good amount of scrutiny on some of his decisions, and I think this may be his clairification or the explanation of his logic.

I think there are two definite idea shifts, making three idea groups. The first of the groups is the first three lessons. They all speak to the humanity side of the audience. Number three even brings up religious aspects, which is a huge part of human culture. The second group consists of lessons four through six. This group is very mechanical, basic, definite. "Maximize efficiency" seems almost robotic. The third and final group is made up of lessons seven through eleven. All these lessons were big picture ideas. They were more philosophical. For example, rule number nine brings up the idea of good vs evil. Also, the final lesson mentions human nature and change, two hot philosophical topics.