The post discusses feedback regarding memos on research, emphasizing they shouldn't simplify complex ideas. Successful memos require intuitive arguments for policymakers, aligning with political agendas, and allowing graceful retreats for stakeholders. The author outlines effective practices using examples from reputable sources and warns against overcomplication that may hinder support.
I’ve written or edited memos for both Hill staffers and DoD / DHS and other security agencies. While both a Hill staffer and a DoD audience might be engaged on the same issue (e.g., national resilience, dual-use policy, or industrial capacity), the positioning, tone, and framing must differ to match their institutional mandate, time horizon, … Continue reading The Art of Defense Policy Memo Writing
"Innovation Theater" highlights the U.S. tech ecosystem’s focus on temporary initiatives without long-term commitment. This leads to symptoms like abandoned projects and unscalable startups. The importance of “infrastructure memory” and “manufacturing depth” is emphasized, advocating for a dual-track model that balances disruptive innovation with resilient production capabilities.
The content discusses how Japan, India, and Israel successfully implemented industrial policies through state-led strategies, fostering economic resilience and innovation. It contrasts their approaches with the U.S.'s market-dependent model, suggesting that the U.S. could benefit from a more integrated and strategic industrial policy to enhance resilience and promote long-term growth.
Recycling innovation — especially in the mining sector and rare earth elements (REEs) — is held back by a deeply entangled web of technological inertia, misaligned economic incentives, and systemic narrative failures. Not by a lack of venture capital interest per se. The prevailing narrative has long equated recycling with waste management, not strategic resource … Continue reading Recycling — A Systemic Narrative Failure
I've written about Cognitive Bias and Narrative Risk and Defense. More specifically, I've written about AI System Integrity and AI Trauma. The implications are clear (at least to me): Cognitive infrastructure—how people make sense of information—is now a primary attack surface. Cybersecurity must evolve to protect not just data and access but also belief systems … Continue reading Cognitive Breach: Defense of Cognitive Infrastructure
