Lecture of Opportunity | Max Brooks: World War Z
Author Max Brooks discusses his book World War Z, and the real idea it represents, at the U.S. Naval War College's 2009 Lecture of Opportunity.
Dec. 16, 2009.
How well do we learn from history? (2:52)
Is the U.S. the world's policeman or the world's landlord? (5:19)
Can the U.S. afford to isolate itself from the world stage? (9:50)
Adm. Donitz: War of economics. (12:58)
Inadvertent Chinese attack on southern California? (15:19)
The real point of WWZ: The delicate threads of our fragile society. (22:34)
We need leaders who can see connections. (24:32)
Excerpt from book and official website...
Eyewitness reports from the first truly global war...
"I found 'Patient Zero' behind the locked door of an abandoned apartment across town. . . . His wrists and feet were bound with plastic packing twine. Although he'd rubbed off the skin around his bonds, there was no blood. There was also no blood on his other wounds. . . . He was writhing like an animal; a gag muffled his growls. At first the villagers tried to hold me back. They warned me not to touch him, that he was 'cursed.' I shrugged them off and reached for my mask and gloves. The boy's skin was . . . cold and gray . . . I could find neither his heartbeat nor his pulse." -Dr. Kwang Jingshu, Greater Chongqing, United Federation of China
"'Shock and Awe'? Perfect name. . . . But what if the enemy can't be shocked and awed? Not just won't, but biologically can't! That's what happened that day outside New York City, that's the failure that almost lost us the whole damn war. The fact that we couldn't shock and awe Zack boomeranged right back in our faces and actually allowed Zack to shock and awe us! They're not afraid! No matter what we do, no matter how many we kill, they will never, ever be afraid!" -Todd Wainio, former U.S. Army infantryman and veteran of the Battle of Yonkers
"Two hundred million zombies. Who can even visualize that type of number, let alone combat it? . . . For the first time in history, we faced an enemy that was actively waging total war. They had no limits of endurance. They would never negotiate, never surrender. They would fight until the very end because, unlike us, every single one of them, every second of every day, was devoted to consuming all life on Earth." -General Travis D'Ambrosia, Supreme Allied Commander, Europe
*****
Disclaimer: The views expressed are the speaker's own and may not necessarily reflect the views of the Naval War College, the Department of the Navy, the Department of Defense, or any other branch or agency of the U.S. Government.
Пікірлер: 141
This speech aged like fine wine. Listening to it today, I wish more people listened to him.
So, here we are in 2019...and the forest fires continue in California. Thanks for trying Max, but sadly, not a lot of people were listening. (My best wishes to you and your Papa!)
Listening to this now as the current coronavirus situation unfurls, it's a little bit scary how on the mark this was.
@jsonex21
4 жыл бұрын
I thought the same thing!!! I'm reading it again
@theoneTruegradegun
4 жыл бұрын
Just finished listening World War Z again. You are so right. Hitting on the points.
@gondor532
4 жыл бұрын
Thankfully corona as a disease isn't that dangerous, how ever certain groups using it to consolidate power and taking away personal freedoms is a real problem.
@fafafooey3315
Жыл бұрын
@@gondor532Yeah, you sure were off with that statement, huh?
Wow, he made so many good points about the economic costs of politicizing problems instead of addressing them. One of the most intelligent talks I've heard in awhile -- yes, he does ramble a bit but I think it's because his brain moves faster than his mouth. A very rare and beautiful problem. I wish he would would write another book.
@markstuber4731
9 жыл бұрын
Jane Sellman Please name "good point" he made that isn't already a cliche. He kept on talking about learning from history but was constantly getting his history wrong. No, Civilization didn't start millions of years. Yes, it was just thousands of years ago. Yes, German U Boats did go after merchant shipping in World War I. No. Doenitz did not invent the commerce raiding/ guerre de course/ Handelskrieg Sure, The Korean War was officially a U.N fight and their were token forces from other coutnries fighting along side us, but the vast, vast among of fighitng against the Chinese and North Koreans was done by us.
@limacheck1400
9 жыл бұрын
Mark Stuber Nice copy paste, why don't you go and do your own lecture then. Oh wait, you couldn't.
@limacheck1400
9 жыл бұрын
Mark Stuber Sure
@LynchMedia
2 жыл бұрын
This comment aged amazingly well. I used his books for my senior project when I graduated in 2010. My project was on zombie survival, but I wrote it with the intention of inserting any kind of mass hysteria or civil outbreak. Funny, I never pictured myself putting it to use.
@LynchMedia
2 жыл бұрын
This comment aged amazingly well. I used his books for my senior project when I graduated in 2010. My project was on zombie survival, but I wrote it with the intention of inserting any kind of mass hysteria or civil outbreak. Funny, I never pictured myself putting it to use.
The time is 2023 I'm listening to this lecture and I have to say it is absolutely amazing how much he got one hundred percent correct.
@poelmeister
Жыл бұрын
I know, right. Stunning.
@noahsabin7386
7 ай бұрын
And now we just have to accept that the zombie bug is here to stay. Endemic. But wearing PPE is inconvenient, so we're just gonna have to pretend it doesn't affect us anymore.
HE WARNED US 7 YEARS AGO!
I’m a huge Max Brooks fan. I’m glad the world has him in it.
I attended this lecture while I was a student there!
Max Brooks for President!
@danielaragusa
4 жыл бұрын
If only... :(
It's incredible. He did this talk 8 years ago yet it could've been done yesterday. Nothing has changed.
@Grimpen0
8 ай бұрын
Hi, I'm from the future. What was that he said about pandemics?
He is right. What makes World War Z and zombies scary is that you can substitute the zombies for anything. And right now, our war is against a Covid-19 and we (USA) are losing terribly!!!
@jasonmaclean719
Жыл бұрын
Only difference was covid was horribly exaggerated by the media and politicians to keep the public scared and in line. Zombies on the other hand? 100 percent fatality rate and constant escalation until the world ends
i watched these lectures a few years ago...and again 4/5/2023 and still this guy holds sway with me .given Ukraine being invaded 400+days ago....
World full of hypocrites and fools and this guy is overlooked because he is a fiction author. This man should speak in front of thousands of people, not just hundreds.
this was great, and I really enjoyed it. This man should lecture congress. This is good plain common sense that far too few people know or use. He makes so many good points, valuable and strong points. One of the things he is right about is that we do not learn from our history-----I have come to think that human beings are incapable of it. But I would have liked to be able to hear the questions that were asked. He needed to repeat the questions, or someone with a microphone so that everyone could hear what the questioners were saying.
@brutustantheiii8477
Жыл бұрын
He was an advisor to I believe the Obama administration because of his books that proved his insight
Excellent Lecture, and a good book.
It is Monday, January 31 2022… and this is too real. I’ve never read the book, but love the concept. I’ve been listening to interviews from well known authors to help myself understand writing for my own improvement. And I stumbled upon this after looking for different point of views in writing. Covid-19 has evolved 2 or 3 times in the past 2 years, and this panel or interview whatever is a perfect example of what has happened around the world. From the virus becoming politicized to the higher up’s in the world looked the other way and pushing their own agendas, ignoring what is happening and companies trying to profit on this rampant curse. It is Monday, January 31 2022, and all I have left to say is… welp… he’s right.
@axlegallardo
10 ай бұрын
Book will blow you away man. Easily the Top 50 Book of all time.
Looking this at 2020, we certainly realize how he accurate describe human does not remember history.
I'm watching this in 2020 and it is prophetic...Scary!!!
Wow talk about hindsight 2021
He comes from good stock, and is as good as the stock he comes from. He knows how to think, and communicate those thoughts. Amen......
there should have been more people attending this talk!
The book was interesting... but this lecture was hard to get through. I tuned out after polar bears.
I don't think history is boring at all. Actually, history and geography were my passion before going to math and computer science.
Wow. Excellent job.
A talk as actual as never before ...
Point 1 is this prophetic insight or a game plan. Point 2 if people watched lectures like this instead of reality TV , the world would be a better place.
man i wish max came to simon fraser university to deliver a lecture
Good lecture. Kudos to you,
It's interesting to listen to Max Brooks, he's done a lot of thinking.
@blankspott4467
5 жыл бұрын
No he hasn't. he's a plagiarist, like all jews, and he's only up there because of who his dad is.
@SKELETONv
2 жыл бұрын
@@blankspott4467 A google search for 'Max Brooks Plagarism" reveals absolutely nothing. So you hate him for being jewish, and accuse him baselessly of plagiarism? Not a good look. Have an actual complaint before you harp about race, bigot.
@MatthewGeoffino
2 жыл бұрын
@@blankspott4467 Spotted the anti-semite
Fascinating take on logistics and the nature of warfare. This is what a lot of South East Asia is uncomfortable with at the moment. The idea that China can annex anyone it wants and has the logistics and personnel to enforce it's land grabbing plans. I'm always shamefully glad that they are beset with internal struggles to keep control. Also, Russia? They are hammered with AIDS now and want a solution as much as anyone else. A.G.
@Red80008
4 жыл бұрын
Oh God, you really think (hopefully thought!) China just didn't take over the world because they were distracted?!? Listen to the talk again and learn something this time (if you haven't already)!
Hindsight 20/20 to late 2019. Militarys response to COVID-19.
Dang that was brilliant! I'd like to hear what he has to say about covid.
This man. Is a genus.
Honestly nobody other then the Americans think that they are the landlord. The world doenst want your help, they just want you to keep your nose out of their businesses.
@epiclegodude123
8 жыл бұрын
+DeltaHardcore We don't want to help either
@DeltaHardcore
8 жыл бұрын
Joji-chan Tell that your government mate.
@epiclegodude123
8 жыл бұрын
DeltaHardcore our government doesn't want to help you either
@DeltaHardcore
8 жыл бұрын
Joji-chan Yeah nah they just stick their noses into other countries busineses
@epiclegodude123
8 жыл бұрын
DeltaHardcore Do you even know anything about American politics
Nothing is more the wonders and terrors than man.
the issues are people are afraid of expressing their views on threats. cause all the laws we have will turn them to threats there self. so what do u do ?
Pretty good speech.
nice
max brooks for president, leaders need to be people who see the connections not the benefits they can get for themselves or their political party
And we see it now with COVID 19
6.42 we are on the same boat
Haha he reminds me of Allen on Two n a Half Men :)
War is more like a HOI4 than it is a COD.
some call Max a wacko i call him a wise thinker who see one thing then all the connection to it.
wonder who those two guys with the Backpacks are...the silently disappear
Put the speed on 2 and enjoy THE FLASH
that conference room is so... empty.
Max looks just like his dad! I wonder if he speaks Polish like his parents.
@Lolalaughsx
2 жыл бұрын
@@blankspott4467 Did you try to publish a shitty book & get denied? There’s nepotism in every facet of America (the world, actually) it’s not just “The terrible Jews”, it’s every religion, every culture, every industry - get over yourself!
Max Brooks, the next Jack Ryan...
Takes the micky out of geeks a lot. Odd, as he oozes geek from every pore. I do like his work though and he makes many interesting points.
@cannedbollocks
9 жыл бұрын
"Takes the micky out of geeks a lot. Odd, as he oozes geek from every pore" Yeah, and whats with all the jokes he keeps cracking? I swear some people are dumb as bricks.
Well, if that was the case, then how come we say Zebra, and not Zedbra?
I've watched this lecture like 5 times. P.S.: the movie SUCKED.
@tankblackheart1776
6 жыл бұрын
Roberto Espinoza I agree completely the book was great and I enjoyed the lecture. Since they didn't allow him in on the movie and only used the title which by the way should have been "Brad Pitt running but only after he screws everything up" the movie in fact sucked to a power of 10
Max, it is 'Zed' everwhere in the world, except the US. Not just in Canada and the UK. lol.
I've read his books but I'm oddly amused at how naive Mr. Brooks really is about the world. Seriously? We send jobs overseas and import all kinds of crap because it is cheaper. Not that that ever translates into lower prices for us the consumers. But it does mean higher and greater profits for big business. What we lack are restrictionsn and regulations on all imported goods. Hold them accountable and up to the same standards we have to employ for those goods. That would mean fewer profits.
lol usa have that kind of cities too even my country spain we are one step to see colapse of many countries
rough crowd, total contrast to the other places he's visited. Hardly any laughs.
It is good to know that he wrote World War Z thinking on how to preserve US imperial interests world wide.
Just wonderful, I've been looking for "eve survival guide" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Have you ever come across - Ryanzon Survival Genie - (do a google search ) ? Ive heard some interesting things about it and my neighbour got amazing results with it.
Please cum to laredo tx please
Well.. this is to on the nose
He kept on talking about learning from history but was constantly getting his history wrong. No, Civilization didn't start millions of years. Yes, it was just thousands of years ago. Yes, German U Boats did go after merchant shipping in World War I. No. Doenitz did not invent the commerce raiding/ guerre de course/ Handelskrieg Sure, The Korean War was officially a U.N fight and their were token forces from other coutnries fighting along side us, but the vast, vast among of fighitng against the Chinese and North Koreans was done by us. I also found it lame how he kept playing his dyslexia card for getting facts wrong. I'm dyslexic myself and that is a lame excuse.
@limacheck1400
9 жыл бұрын
Mark Stuber You do the lecture than.
@markstuber4731
9 жыл бұрын
Limacheck " You do the lecture than." = thought terminating cliche.
@limacheck1400
9 жыл бұрын
Mark Stuber I don't see you lecturing at a Naval war college or author of a best selling book. If you're so high and mighty and better than he is than he is than why don't you share his accomplishments?
@markstuber4731
9 жыл бұрын
Limacheck My father is not near as famous as Mel Brooks either.
@limacheck1400
9 жыл бұрын
Mark Stuber You're point?
you put vodka in your cereal every morning
Where the audience kept in the auditorium at gun point? Mr. Brooks should keep his day-job, his lecture giving skills are basic at best.
This guy writes a good book, but this lecture.. Its all terrible metaphors and poor gags.
A very reductionist and unscientific view. If you are reading this, tune out, save yourself the effort of listening to this pointless rant.
@RawB0x
9 жыл бұрын
you have no arguments.
@markstuber4731
9 жыл бұрын
RawB0x How do you know he has "no arguments"? Just because he didn't post one on here? Besides, he's just gining fair warning. Is requiring an argument required to post on youtube? Here's an argument: He kept on talking about learning from history but was constantly getting his history wrong. No, Civilization didn't start millions of years. Yes, it was just thousands of years ago. Yes, German U Boats did go after merchant shipping in World War I. No. Doenitz did not invent the commerce raiding/ guerre de course/ Handelskrieg Sure, The Korean War was officially a U.N fight and their were token forces from other coutnries fighting along side us, but the vast, vast among of fighitng against the Chinese and North Koreans was done by us. I also found it lame how he kept playing his dyslexia card for getting facts wrong. I'm dyslexic myself and that is a lame excuse.
@poelmeister
Жыл бұрын
That comment aged like fine milk.
Swartzkoff was better
oh lol. what decrepit city? Why are you all the former Soviet republics of Russia was seen? Russia is Russia! Instead Uzbekistan Tajikistan, and Ukraine with other byvshimy republics. It nischite they live in and the mud!
Ok so he knows a lot of stuff.How about he comes up with a straight forward plan to deal with the problems.Other wise it is a waste of time to even listen to this rambling. Just incidentally you are all promoting gay marriage now didn't Aids come from them? Or do you think marriage will contain it? Of course morality is all too hard.
@firesonic1010
4 жыл бұрын
What the fuck does gay marriage and AIDS have to do with anything in this situation?