Author: Kevin Smith

Group think is a commonly held belief system that perpetuates the “status quo” and restricts the entry of new ideas. Group think exists within “intellectual silos” that restrict access to creativity and contains ideas, concepts, propositions, and assertions that reside within a particular mindspace supported by a definable group. Such mindspace is typically controlled by its senior members—often self-appointed—such that a rather stringent policing is in force to prevent the contamination of ideas that are “foreign and unacceptable.” “Contaminating ideas” are held at bay like an army defending its territory and includes defenses that employ ridicule, ad hominem attacks, denial of recognition, denial of affiliation, and so forth.

However, one of the few areas in which group think is not especially strong is aviation. This is why I love to visit aviation museums and see all of the out -of-the-box ideas on display.

I recently visited the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum companion facility, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, located near Washington Dulles International Airport in Chantilly, Virginia. I was joined by my wife Sue; Leonora Cravotta of Red State Talk Radio; and Scott Adams,  the general manager of Red State Talk Radio.

The video below was recorded at the museum August 21, 2018.  I was seated in front of a Navy airplane that I flew as a Naval aviator: the F-8 Crusader. In this video I discuss this particular aircraft model and why it was so important for our national defense—which at that time was achieving “eye watering” speed.

The enormous challenge during this era was how to achieve supersonic speeds utilizing the engine technology of the day, which required radical departures from conventional wisdom. These ideas were so radical that they appeared by many to be delusional; yet they worked, in a most spectacular way. This aircraft, the winner of both the Thompson and Collier Trophies, was the first aircraft to exceed 1,000 mph and set a speed record, piloted by Senator John Glenn, that still stands.

Ideas are powerful. New ideas that are unconventional, are the most powerful because they contain the seeds of innovation. America is, and will continue to be, a great nation as long as new ideas are generated and innovation is encouraged and rewarded—and group think becomes a museum piece of what not to do.