Science, Strategy and War The Strategic Theory of ... - Boekje Pienter

Orientation is an interactive process of many sides implicit cross-referencing projections,empathies, correlations, and rejections that is shaped by and shapes the interplay of geneticheritage, cultural tradition, previous experiences and unfolding circumstances.And it is this dynamic which Boyd later attempts to capture in a graphic rendering. AgainBoyd is master of synthesis, but at first reading this description may also baffle a bit. So ashort explanation is warranted. The description indicates that orientation is a dynamicprocess which results in views, images and impressions. This process is (and should be)continuous and is constituted by the development and maintenance of interactions ofvarious kinds with the environment. The interactions are however also subject tomodification, as much as the views, images and impressions. A long term and ratherimmutable formative factor shaping this process is genetic heritage. A medium term factor isculture, while a short term factor in shaping ideas and interactions is constituted by previousexperiences. Boyd offers his own illumination 13 :Orientation is the Schwerpunkt. It shapes the way we interact with the environment - henceorientation shapes the way we observe, the way we decide, the way we act.In this senseOrientation shapes the character of present observation-orientation-decision-action loops -while these present loops shape the character of future orientation.So from a discussion on the pervasive element of friction and the solution offered byharmony and initiative, from the stated need for adaptability, focus, direction, insight andvision, Boyd has developed the argument that orientation is the center of gravity forcommand and control. Orientation is the key factor - and variable - that enables or hindersgenerating harmony and initiative so that one can or cannot exploit variety/rapidity. Fromthis point on, Boyd proceeds to explore the implications of this insight.Implicit communication and organizational heat-deathBy putting orientation central, the immediate implication is quite obvious, both for one’sown command set up as for effects one wants to create to hinder the command process ofthe adversary. The obviousness of the implication (which sounds almost like a truism)however should not detract from the one new relevant element Boyd introduces: patterns(Boyd even suggests that patterns is equivalent to orientation). As Boyd asserts, ‘we need tocreate mental images, views, or impressions, hence patterns that match with activity of [the]world’. The reference to the essay is obvious. However, his audience would most likely notbe familiar with it. In this manner Boyd managed to introduce a epistemological theme in avery pragmatic setting.Conversely, Boyd continues, ‘we need to deny [the] adversary the possibility ofuncovering or discerning patterns that match our activity, or other aspects of reality in theworld’ 14 . For ‘patterns (hence orientation), right or wrong or lack thereof, suggest ability orinability to conduct many-sided implicit cross-references’. The next obvious issue is thus oneof turning theory into practice: ‘how do we set-up and take advantage of the many-sided13 Ibid, p.16.14 Ibid.237