von Karman其实是一个快乐的老头子

原来那稿不见了，只剩一点杂乱东西

comments on 'deterrence':
I have always felt that you cannot preach international cooperation and disarmament from a position of weakness. My Old Testament faith tells me that to get one’s point across it is best to have a big stick. You don’t have to use it, but you’re freer to talk without interference.
---See? I think that resonates with China’s so-called “peaceful rise”. You have nothing to bargain if you are not strong enough.
Insights on internationalism on individual level or group level:
But after observing many international squabbles over the years, I still think my original conclusion is correct, that the differences that exist among nations are due largely to politicians who feel impelled to argue from national positions rather than from the rights or wrongs of a specific issue. It is remarkable, in contrast, how easy it is for one nationality to get along with another if you deal only with individuals…Even if they do not speak the same language, they will make themselves understood through their common scientific backgrounds---or through the only truly international language, Broken English.
---Precisely! Broken English!
On operational research (运筹学):
In the military field, operational research attempts to answer questions such as these: How do you distribute existing forces when the enemy is known to have superior forces in the same area? Common sense says that your forces along the entire line, you concentrated them for attack at one point, then re-concentrated them for attack at a second point, and repeated this at a third point. Operational research can tell you how many men to use for maximum effectiveness and how to distribute them.
Anecdotes 1:
Of course, obtaining support for new schemes is often difficult to achieve in practice. But one thing I have learned is the importance of establishing the right point of view. I am always reminded of the story of the Jesuit and the Dominican. Both men were heavy smokers, but at the seminary where they had come to study they learned that smoking wasn’t allowed during the hours of meditation. Somewhat annoyed, they decided to consult a higher authority on their rights. The Dominican, a straightforward man, asked for permission to smoke. It was denied.
Much to his surprise, he came upon the Jesuit happily smoking a big cigar. “How come you have permission to smoke when I was refused?” the Dominican demanded. “What did you ask for?” “I asked permission to smoke during meditation.” Replied the Dominican. “Ah, my friend,” said the Jesuit, “that is where you made your mistake. You should have asked whether it is allowed to meditate during smoking. Nobody can prohibit that.”