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Jason Bourne's Situational Awareness
2026-02-23 · strategy openclaw
At the beginning of The Bourne Identity, Jason sits in a café trying to figure out who he is. And he notices that he... notices things that others don't. This ability can be developed.
What is situational awareness?
Knowing what's happening around you. Sounds simple, but it requires training. Soldiers, police officers, and agents learn this — but it's an important skill for ordinary people too. In a dangerous situation, being aware of a threat even a few seconds before others could save your life.
Observation + Orientation = Situational Awareness — the first two steps of the OODA loop (Observe → Orient → Decide → Act), developed by fighter pilot John Boyd.
Observation: Cooper's Colour Code
White — Relaxed, not paying attention. Dangerous.
Yellow — Relaxed alertness. Scanning your surroundings.
Orange — You've noticed a potential threat.
Red — You're actively reacting.
Goal: always be in "Yellow". Relaxed alertness without tension.
Improving observation
- Take the correct position — back to the wall, facing the entrance
- Play the "A" Game (Awareness Game): when entering, note the number of people, exits, clothing
- Train your memory — Bourne knew all the car numbers
Orientation: what to look for?
Baseline — the "normal" for a given situation. In a coffee shop, people read and talk quietly.
Anomalies — anything that should happen but doesn't, or happens but shouldn't.
Behavioural clusters
- Dominance / Submission — dominant behaviour in an unexpected context = anomaly
- Comfort / Discomfort — someone calm when everyone else is panicking (this is how the Boston bombers were found)
- Interest / Disinterest — unusual interest in something = anomaly
Other indicators: fidgety hands (touching where an object is hidden), "natural" behaviour (difficult to fake).
Establish baseline → Look for anomalies → Have a plan
Practice
- Note entrances and exits when entering a building
- Observe people, establish baselines
- Generate possible anomalies
- Devise action plans
Don't be paranoid — be aware.
Do this day after day, and situational awareness becomes natural. Like Jason Bourne.
📚 Recommended books
- Left of Bang — Patrick Van Horne, Jason Riley
- The Gift of Fear — Gavin de Becker
- Principles of Personal Defence — Jeff Cooper