Slashdot Mirror
The Internet and The War
John Jorsett writes "Wired Magazine has an interesting article on the realities of the use of communication and navigation technology in the Iraq war. Particularly intriguing is the use of chat rooms to engage experts thousands of miles away in helping to solve problems at the troop level in the field. And if you think your admin job is tough, try running your servers in 125 degree heat in a sandstorm."
The military better watch itself -- if they start relying too heavily on technology, soldiers will lose the fundamental skills that make them unique.
Yeah, like swordfighting--er...
I mean, yeah, like how to fire a musket line--no, wait...
Trenches! Must not forget trenches!
The history of war is a history of technology progressing, progressing, and progressing. The "war-fighter" (i.e., "solider, salior, marine, or pilot") doesn't have a job of reading maps and following trails--their job is to fight and win.
Sure, your networked rifle squad could lose its GPS uplink--but that's no different than having your map burnt away from you.