Gunpowder & Getting Your Sh*t Together
Lessons from the Military Revolution for Men Over 40
Right, you lot, let's be blunt. You're past 40. The kids are (probably) driving you mad, your knees ache, and your career… well, it's either plateaued or actively trying to kill you. Feeling a bit stagnant? Like you're watching the world change while you're stuck in the mud?
Good. Because today, we're taking a lesson from history – specifically, the Military Revolution sparked by gunpowder – to see how the hell you can blow up your own mid-life crisis and get back in the game. It's time to re-tool and retrain.
(Gunpowder: The Original Disruption)
Think back to medieval times. Knights in shining armour, castles, and all that bollocks. Then, BAM! Gunpowder arrives on the scene. At first, it's a bit of a joke. Early cannons (the pot-de-fer) were more likely to frighten the horses than actually breach a wall. But give it time.
Now what? Did the Knights simply not care? NO! The took their losses and learnt from them!
But here's the key: gunpowder didn't just make castles obsolete overnight. It was a process.
(The Slow Burn of Change)
Early Impact: Psychological Warfare: Even in its infancy, gunpowder had a psychological effect. A sudden, loud explosion disrupted the enemy’s strategy, their courage, their momentum. This changed warfare forever. A bit like some woke snowflake talking about their hurt feelings, and derailing your day!
Siege Warfare: Gunpowder shook up siege warfare making castles obsolete. Castles, once impregnable, now had massive structural issues and were no longer safe. The new world brought thicker walls, round towere to deflect cannonballs, and deeper moats.
(Adapt or Die: Lessons from the 15th Century)
The 15th century is where things got interesting. Gunpowder technology matured.
Cannon Power: Cannons got bigger, more powerful, and more reliable (thanks to corned powder). They could batter down even the most formidable fortifications.
The Rise of the Handgun: Smaller firearms appeared. Yes, they were still a bit crap and inaccurate, but they were cheap and easy to train soldiers to use.
Infantry Revolution: Pike and firearms. Goodbye, knightly dominance.
This is crucial. It wasn't just about the weapons themselves; it was about the tactics that evolved around them. Heavily armoured knights, once the kings of the battlefield, became sitting ducks. Infantry, armed with pikes and firearms, took over. The knights lost out with new tools to tackle violence.
(Long-Term Consequences: The Military Revolution & You)
So, what does all this have to do with your mid-life slump? Everything. The Military Revolution wasn't just about battles; it was a complete overhaul of society. Sound familiar?
Decline of Feudalism: Gunpowder weapons were expensive and needed centralised states to manage them. This weakened the power of feudal lords and gave more power to monarchs.
The Military Revolution: Gunpowder shifted the scale and organisation warfare and brought about a military revolution. Remember. Knights used to be the top dogs, but now it was down to the people that brought the fire-power.
Naval Warfare: Ships became instruments of force: Cannon-armed ships controlled the seas, leading to new tactics. Do you think your skill set is cutting edge?
Just as gunpowder changed the world order, your world has changed. Your skills, once valuable, might be becoming obsolete. Your experience, while useful, might not be enough anymore.
(The Social & Economic Kick in the Arse)
The impact of gunpowder went far beyond the battlefield.
Centralised Production: Manufacturing weapons required skill, raw materials, and large scale facilities. The decentralised workshops did not compare and centralised armouries rose. Are your skills a cottage industry business? or are you building for scale?
Mining Boom The demand for materials skyrocketed. Look to expand and explore new opportunities, for yourself and your companies. Go mining (not literally maybe).
Sophisticated Taxes: Taxes and other financing mechanisms were required to build weaponry that were necessary for war. Look into how you are managing cashflow and the importance of money if you want to be ahead.
Economic warfare: There was a need for cheap weapons and countries with access to better guns and cheaper, more efficient output, did better. Competition is everywhere: are you on top?
Elite Navy: With Gunpowder, better navies are necessary. Are you thinking about global trade and overseas partnerships?
It’s not just about winning a battle. Sometimes it about having money or a new perspective!
Elite fighters Knights were out with better and advanced warfare and techniques. Stay on top of warfare (the economical one).
Professional armies: There was now need for a disciplined force, meaning soldiers needed to be trained. Training and education is important to climb the career ladder.
Social mobility: Advancement for skilled workers was prioritised. Don't be afraid to skill up, get trained and go for new career paths.
Urbanism Big cities brought about industry. Do you stay where safe or risk life's travels?
Shift in values Gunpowder warfare brought efficiency. What efficiencies are you bringing to the table?
Centralised power: If you're too reliant on one company and resource then that is an issue. Diversify your portfolio!
But how can you tell Venice and Arsenal?
They understood mass production.
They used skilled laborers and made them well-paid.
The Royal Navy knew the importance of textiles and industry. So did the Fugger family with access to credit and banking. Look for opportunities to use this knowledge for yourself and for your company.
Just like the Samurai were ousted on the battlefield, you have to stay in the business game. The Samurai did not innovate, and they lost out!
(Tactical Reset: How to Avoid Being a Medieval Knight)
Alright, enough of the history lesson. Here's what you need to do:
Acknowledge the Reality: Stop clinging to the past. Your old skills and strategies might not cut it anymore. The world is changing rapidly; bloody embrace it. Don’t be a bloody Knight!
Identify the New Threat: What's the gunpowder in your life? Is it AI, automation, younger, hungrier colleagues, or a shifting market? Identify the force that's disrupting your world.
Invest in New Skills: Learn new technologies, develop new skills, and adapt to the changing landscape. Take courses, attend workshops, read books, and surround yourself with people who are ahead of the curve. Take that pension and get new skills!
Embrace Innovation: Innovation is key. If you aren't then you are falling behind. Stop that, soldier!
Diversify: Knights lost monopoly power because of centralised power due to finances. Money is a tool, use it!
Experiment: Start your company, become a coach and just take risks. Do not spend your life regretting what could have been!
(Conclusion: Blow Up Your Rut)
Men, we are not feudal lords. Like the military powers from before, we have a great position to be in. But as the Samurai did, we could also be overtaken if we do not strive for innovation!
This isn't about becoming a tech wizard or a cutthroat entrepreneur (although, no judgement if that's your thing). It's about recognizing that the world is constantly changing, and if you don't adapt, you'll get left behind. It's time to blow up the stagnation, embrace the chaos, and get back to being a fucking force to be reckoned with. The new war is a technological war. So, keep up soldier and innovate!
Life is a constant evolution, a dance with change that shapes who we are and where we’re headed. And just like life, this site is transforming once more. I don’t yet know where this journey will lead, but that’s the beauty of it—each shift brings us closer to where we’re meant to be.
Change is not a sign of uncertainty, but of growth. It’s the path we must take to uncover our true purpose. And while we may not always understand where life is guiding us, it’s in the act of seeking, of embracing the flow, that we discover our direction.
Imagine life as a river, with its tides, currents, and eddies. If we fight against the current, we tire and falter. But if we surrender to it, letting it guide us, we might just find ourselves exactly where we’re meant to be.
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