Bombing London
If this was really aimed at hurting the English for their involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, why did they target tubes and buses? The powerful and influential don’t use tubes. The ordinary citizen does. And the ordinary citizen is English, South African, Pakistani, Indian etc. If these were the same terrorists and motive than in 9/11, surely they should rather have targeted the Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, 10 Downing Street etc. Or is the security near these places too tight? I just wonder where political and religious fanaticism stops and where plain malice and cowardice starts. Still it is quite disconcerting how these terrorists break through the security barriers and let 7 (or were it 4) bombs explode in a few hours. Not one bomb that slips through the national defence and intelligence – 7! In one morning. If this is the new kind of warfare, how does one confront it? Seeing the G8 leaders standing behind Blair also symbolises to me that we are actually experiencing the 3rd world war ever since 9/11/2001. It is a war. And the whole world is involved – directly as nation states or indirectly as victims or terrorists,
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This is a “connection economy” story. Not all new types of organisations are nice, but al Quaeda, or whoever this is, is leading the way in showing us how to manage multi-national organisations of talented people.
As horrific as it is, it is also impressive. To beat the might of the world’s intelligence agencies and governments, with almost unlimited budgets, and for the price of a few hot meals to bring a major city to a grinding halt, and instil fear in millions… not a bad morning’s work, if that’s what you intend to do with your life.
The key is that these terrorist organisations employ “talented” people who have a passion for what they’re doing. They then give these people a general set of directives and objectives, and then set them free to find ways to make it happen. This is something of a pattern for other organisations in the 21st century.
The fact that the governments of the world have no response to the terrorists, and are baffled as to know where to even start, is another indication of a major sea change in affairs. You cannot win the new game playing by the old rules – no matter how big, scary, powerful or rich you are. When the rules change, the old advantages are completely removed and the new playing field is once again level.
Of course anothe rissue is, if you don’t easily control your team, with a common set of objectives, what happens when the objectives change? How do you either reign them in (can you) or get them out (can you)?
My husband and I were on the tubes on the way to work when this happen. Graeme – if Al Queda are any kind of symbol of the “connection economy” – then I’m really saddened. Talented people?? If you had seen the dead and maimed bodies last week – I’m not sure that you would label these people talented. I’m sorry- but I really disagree with this analagy.
Simone, I realise that emotions are running high on this issue, but I want you to know that I did not post my comments lightly.
My brother was on the Tube at 9 a.m. when it was shut down. He went upstairs and caught a bus and was actually travelling past Russell Square when the bomb on the bus blew up. He actually saw the explosion! So, this event is quite real to me too. Maybe the emotions are a bit raw, but I still think the analogy is a good one.
Maybe “talented” was not the right word to use. But “focused”, “committed”, “passionate”, “effective”, “dedicated” would be accurate (as, of course, would be “despicable”, “horrific”, “evil”).
Most structures and strategies can be appropriated for either good or bad outcomes. Just as in music – the notes can be used to play good or bad music, but the notes themselves are neither inherently good nor bad.
My point is that decentralised organisations focused on a single objectives, peopled with those who are passionate believers in the cause and outcomes desired have an inherent advantage in the world of today. It is a tragedy that it is normally those with destructive intent who are the first to recognise shifts in technology, institutions and values. Throughout the ages, it has been the military who have invariably discovered new uses for new technologies – most often to come up with more effective ways of killing each other.
On a personal note, Simone, I trust that you are coming to terms with what has happened, and how it will and will not change the lives of those living in that great city of London.