Better Fighting Through Sci-Fi Writing
May 5, 2017 2:57 PM Subscribe
Late last year, the Army Training and Doctrine Command announced that its inaugural Mad Scientist Science Fiction Writing Contest was open to aspiring writers. The theme: “Warfare in 2030 to 2050.” The results are in, and you can read a few of the ideas that might shape the future of warfare.
From a blurb about the contest announcement:
* "Caretaker," by Michael Martineck
* "Boudicca," by Hal Wilson
* "Among the Apple Trees," by Ethan Skarstedt
From a blurb about the contest announcement:
Writers from all walks of life have the opportunity to contribute ideas that are outside what the Army is already considering about the future. These stories are being used to explore fresh ideas about the future of warfare and technology. Writers are asked to consider (but not limited to) how trends in science, technology, society, the global economy, and other aspects could change the world in a meaningful way, with implications for how the Army operates in future conflicts.The winning entry requires a login, and is not available to the non-logged-in public at this time. However, several of the runners-up have been published at Small Wars Journal:
* "Caretaker," by Michael Martineck
* "Boudicca," by Hal Wilson
* "Among the Apple Trees," by Ethan Skarstedt
It's only murder if it's not related to a war-type effort, right?
"And then the killing began" might be more appropriate.
MetaFilter: let's workshop that reply.
posted by filthy light thief at 4:54 PM on May 5, 2017
"And then the killing began" might be more appropriate.
MetaFilter: let's workshop that reply.
posted by filthy light thief at 4:54 PM on May 5, 2017
Warfare in 2030 to 2050.
The rate we're going, by 2030 our warfare will be of the sticks and stones variety.
posted by leotrotsky at 5:09 PM on May 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
The rate we're going, by 2030 our warfare will be of the sticks and stones variety.
posted by leotrotsky at 5:09 PM on May 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
So we've got three possible futures on display here:
1) Tesla is vindicated, the US gets directed energy weapons and data-mining stuff, and our conflicts remain asymetric, with opponents that stick to kinetics. This is the "business as usual" version, and a bit more technically optimistic in weird ways.
2) Social media is bad for opsec! Russians are scary. This story is also pretty much business as usual, although it's tracking the expectation that the US may go back to conventional symmetric warfare with a belligerent world power, as opposed to vastly overmatching our adversaries in terms of tech.
3) We don't name our animals because we're going to weaponize them. Based on the relationships servicemembers seem to have with their animals, I just can't see this happening. Also, naming your animals "Cat 1" and "Cat 2" is both very confusing for readers to keep track of, and immediately suggests "the animals are weaponized and going to be treated as consumables." Blech. I know it's illogical to be annoyed about killing animals when we're treating killing humans as something that we're going to do, but for whatever reason, "sacrifice the dog!" really rubs me the wrong way.
posted by Alterscape at 5:36 PM on May 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
1) Tesla is vindicated, the US gets directed energy weapons and data-mining stuff, and our conflicts remain asymetric, with opponents that stick to kinetics. This is the "business as usual" version, and a bit more technically optimistic in weird ways.
2) Social media is bad for opsec! Russians are scary. This story is also pretty much business as usual, although it's tracking the expectation that the US may go back to conventional symmetric warfare with a belligerent world power, as opposed to vastly overmatching our adversaries in terms of tech.
3) We don't name our animals because we're going to weaponize them. Based on the relationships servicemembers seem to have with their animals, I just can't see this happening. Also, naming your animals "Cat 1" and "Cat 2" is both very confusing for readers to keep track of, and immediately suggests "the animals are weaponized and going to be treated as consumables." Blech. I know it's illogical to be annoyed about killing animals when we're treating killing humans as something that we're going to do, but for whatever reason, "sacrifice the dog!" really rubs me the wrong way.
posted by Alterscape at 5:36 PM on May 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
That's not a new thing though- google tank dogs if you want to feel really bad about humanity.
posted by Homo neanderthalensis at 6:01 PM on May 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Homo neanderthalensis at 6:01 PM on May 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
hmm.. the military is looking for inspiration on how to kill people better from short stories?
so can i cite this the next time anyone says studying the humanities isn't practical?
posted by wibari at 6:08 PM on May 5, 2017 [7 favorites]
so can i cite this the next time anyone says studying the humanities isn't practical?
posted by wibari at 6:08 PM on May 5, 2017 [7 favorites]
leotrotsky: "The rate we're going, by 2030 our warfare will be of the sticks and stones variety."
Ahem...
"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.
Albert Einstein."
posted by signal at 6:55 PM on May 5, 2017
Ahem...
"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.
Albert Einstein."
posted by signal at 6:55 PM on May 5, 2017
My dad, a retired scientist who used to make railguns and plasma weaponry for the Navy, and a life long sci-fi fan, is PISSED he missed this. Hopefully next year there will be a story about a strapping, muscular charged particle physicist who changed the shape of modern warfare by discovering that if you let the generals and admirals press the red button that says 'RAILGUN GO' and give them a paperweight made of steel rent by said GO you get funding for your project.
(based on a true story)
posted by robocop is bleeding at 6:56 PM on May 5, 2017 [11 favorites]
(based on a true story)
posted by robocop is bleeding at 6:56 PM on May 5, 2017 [11 favorites]
I think that's just called The Ghost Navy, robocop is bleeding. Kinda not even joking (it's not very good as literature but does reflect a certain strain of paranoia re: imports and technology, and also how the Zumwalt class's railguns will save God and apple pie).
posted by Alterscape at 7:13 PM on May 5, 2017
posted by Alterscape at 7:13 PM on May 5, 2017
Do you have a link? Father's Day is coming up.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 8:10 PM on May 5, 2017
posted by robocop is bleeding at 8:10 PM on May 5, 2017
That's the one. Thanks, RustyBrooks!
posted by Alterscape at 10:25 PM on May 5, 2017
posted by Alterscape at 10:25 PM on May 5, 2017
> "It's only murder if it's not related to a war-type effort, right? "
(Has anyone else always thought this is a bizarre and horrifying distinction to make?)
posted by kyrademon at 2:46 AM on May 6, 2017
(Has anyone else always thought this is a bizarre and horrifying distinction to make?)
posted by kyrademon at 2:46 AM on May 6, 2017
The "results" link is down.
posted by brundlefly at 8:19 AM on May 6, 2017
posted by brundlefly at 8:19 AM on May 6, 2017
The rate we're going, by 2030 our warfare will be of the sticks and stones variety.
Yes, but they will be hyper-precision machined, nanotech infused smart sticks and stones. Each paired stick and stone set will cost USD $350,000,000.00 ( or $700,000.00 in 2017 dollars).
Now ask me about the animal skins the warriors will be wearing. PLEASE ask me about the animal skins!
posted by happyroach at 11:59 AM on May 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Yes, but they will be hyper-precision machined, nanotech infused smart sticks and stones. Each paired stick and stone set will cost USD $350,000,000.00 ( or $700,000.00 in 2017 dollars).
Now ask me about the animal skins the warriors will be wearing. PLEASE ask me about the animal skins!
posted by happyroach at 11:59 AM on May 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
I don't follow the science fiction scene at all but was there any pushback to this when it was announced? Who would submit to something like this?
Military science fiction is a major subgenre right now. There's also some crossover between military fiction, thrillers, and sf.
We could go back to the 1980s, when Jerry Pournelle and others were writing tons of war-themed sf. There was even an anthology series called There Will Be War.
if you go further back, you can find plenty of science fiction about future wars. Check out Arthur Conan Doyle warning Britain about submarines or H.G. Wells dreaming up tanks, for just two higher-profile examples.
posted by doctornemo at 5:38 PM on May 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Military science fiction is a major subgenre right now. There's also some crossover between military fiction, thrillers, and sf.
We could go back to the 1980s, when Jerry Pournelle and others were writing tons of war-themed sf. There was even an anthology series called There Will Be War.
if you go further back, you can find plenty of science fiction about future wars. Check out Arthur Conan Doyle warning Britain about submarines or H.G. Wells dreaming up tanks, for just two higher-profile examples.
posted by doctornemo at 5:38 PM on May 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Two more of the top eight submissions have been posted:
"Cultural Support Team," by Mike Barretta
and
"The Defense of Gipper’s Twist," by Nathan W. Toronto
posted by MonkeyToes at 4:25 AM on May 8, 2017
"Cultural Support Team," by Mike Barretta
and
"The Defense of Gipper’s Twist," by Nathan W. Toronto
posted by MonkeyToes at 4:25 AM on May 8, 2017
And two more:
"Moose Musstard," by Karl Klicker
and
"Something Old, Something New," by Darren Carter
posted by MonkeyToes at 7:51 AM on May 9, 2017
"Moose Musstard," by Karl Klicker
and
"Something Old, Something New," by Darren Carter
posted by MonkeyToes at 7:51 AM on May 9, 2017
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posted by blue_beetle at 4:17 PM on May 5, 2017 [6 favorites]