Havok Journal owner Charles Faint sits down with us for a broad ranging discussion on issues important to our Veterans, Military families and nation. As the voice of the Veteran community, the Havok Journal provides insightful and unvarnished articles combined with a little bit of humor.
We begin with “Borrowed Battles and the Hunger for Higher Purpose.” Charles proposes that everyone needs a mission in life, especially young people. However, with so much time on everyone’s hands, people seeking purpose may be recruited to fight battles that are not really theirs. Sometimes these “causes” can turn violent or otherwise detrimental to the individual. There is a real danger of outside interests tapping into these “purposeless” populations to campaigns that adversely impact our nation.
Basic purposes like raising a family or being a dependable employee are often overlooked. “There are no viral hashtags for personal discipline or quiet competence.”
“New Converts Are Often the Most Dangerous Zealots” highlights the dangers of people who feel they have something to prove when joining a cause. Charles saw a great deal of this while fighting terrorists overseas. Social media amplifies this problem. “Algorithms reward zealotry. Outrage becomes currency. Moderation looks like weakness and doubt is treated as betrayal.”
Next we touch on an excellent example of leadership; “The Asoh Defense: A Lesson in Leadership, Integrity and Accountability.” In 1968, a Japanese airliner came in too low and landed in San Francisco Bay rather than safely on the runway. No lives were lost. Rather than dodging or attempting to place blame elsewhere, pilot Kohei Asoh just said “I screwed up.” The “Asoh Defense” is now taught as an example of honest leadership and willingness to accept responsibility. Charles says there is another lesson in this story. “When a leader owns their mistakes, it gives everyone else permission to do the same. It creates a culture where honesty is possible.”
We wrap up with a fun discussion about “Mondegreens, And Other Things You Didn’t Know.”