SITUATIONAL AWARENESS

Recursive attention: we pay attention to what others pay attention to. Think of any accident. Crowds form in part because when one person stops to watch, that attracts more people – the size of the group paying attention to the event increases the percentage that others will also pay attention.

Inextricably related to what attracts our attention are social goods – the shit we buy, wear, and consume – that act as an indicator of group association. People pay attention to those markers and pay stupid amounts of money for social distinction. Recently I visited Rodeo Drive because my children wanted to see the Louis Vuitton X Exhibition. Although I have no interest whatsoever in fashion, I was impressed with the quality and artistry of the presentation and craftsmanship on display. Walking farther down the street was the Louis Vuitton store itself, so we went in. I was flabbergasted to realize that people actually pay extortionist pricing at these stores.  After a moment’s reflection on Thorstein Veblen (1899) and Pierre Bourdieu (1984) it made more sense – conspicuous consumption as a means of distinction. Paying outrageous amounts of money for branded clothing is irrational, whereas my choices are pragmatic and reasonable. I clearly do not belong to the social class that uses fashion as a means of distinction.[1]

What the heck does this all have to do with situational awareness?

What we pay attention to is culturally conditioned. Most often we pay attention to indications of social position and group membership; who we identify with and where we stand within the group.

Broadly understood, fashion is an overt display of membership. Gang affiliation is branded – colors, logos, tattoos, etc., are markers of inclusion within the group and threat identification for the rest of us. (Interestingly, visible tattoos may also be an indication of poor impulse control…)

Situational awareness is threat identification within your current geographical local.

You were conditioned to pay attention to social cues – so now learn to be specifically aware of those cues that represent a potential threat to your personal safety.

Earlier posts allude to Col. Cooper’s color matrix and situational awareness. You should be living in condition Yellow at all times. But how does one develop awareness?

An excellent resource is Mark Hatmaker, his storefront, and his blog. Highly recommend! For awareness dills – start with Warrior Awareness Drills.

Other markers to pay attention to: Language is an obvious display of group membership. 

How you use language, both your lexical choices as well as your grammatical habits will display your social position. I like to mix registers to create a bit of uncertainty. How you discuss a topic will be as revealing as what the topic is when sizing up a potential adversary. (Be wary of the Newspeak movement – language is being manipulated for political reasons. It always has been, but do not be blind to the process!)

Pay attention to the physical tells. Paul Ekman is the inspiration behind Lie to Me and offers training in reading Micro Expressions. I have not taken any classes but am intrigued, despite a recent study that showed those who have taken the classes do no better than the average person at discerning lies.

Personal protection is a personal responsibility. I firmly believe that. You are responsible for you and you cannot abnegate that responsibility to anyone else. So you need to pay attention to potential threats.

Yes, the rule of law is part of the social contract and I also am a staunch believer in the Golden Rule, but I also am a realist. I know that others can and do break the social contract and violate the rule of law. And I also know that in those crucial moments when seconds count those brave first responders are only a minute away. You are your first line of defense.

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[1] The commodization of luxury – the proliferation of gourmet coffee, the necessity of cell phones, all the trends towards the pampering of the self with little niceties indicates a trend towards making luxury items necessities. The lack of real and visible distinctions of wealth – corpulence was once an overt sign of wealth (easy access to rich food), now access to cosmetic surgery that vacuums the effects of rich food. Material displays of gold, diamonds and other items once covered by sumptuary laws are no longer good indications of real wealth: paste diamonds, knock-offs and counterfeits all cause haute-coture designers concerns. Credit cards also allow easy access to things and can support a life style beyond one’s true means. Class accent and other indications of well birth are systematically undermined by Texans in the Oval Office.