You're implying an institutional conspiracy in the military against education and critical thinking that is simply untrue. The military today values bright, talented people more than ever. The problem is that many of them are too fat, have too many health problems, and have too many drug and felony convictions to qualify for service.
There are plenty of scary-smart patriotic people in the military who had plenty of cushy options but chose to serve in combat instead. Jon Stewart has said as much on the Daily Show from his interactions with them.
You can be patriotic and serve your country while disagreeing with your government's policies. That's the beauty of a democratic republic.
It is possible to possess sufficient character and values for these positions without sacrificing curiosity and creativity. Boy Scout, maybe. But Nazi devotion is a Hollywood trope. You work for "The People" not the institution.
"Loyalty to my country always. Loyalty to my government when it deserves it." - T. Roosevelt
Top Secret is not a very high level of clearance anymore. It hasn't been for a while. TS is essentially the entry level of clearance.
Most military servicemembers have just a Secret clearance. Senior leadership and those who work in intelligence or certain specialties require higher, of course.
A bigger point is that it's very difficult to do anything in the military without a clearance of some kind. And it's very easy for junior servicemembers (or senior folks who should know better) to do something stupid and lose their clearance: drugs, legal problems, financial woes, or anything that brings your character into question, on or off duty. Once your clearance is yanked your service options are very limited. And when it's clear you're not getting your clearance back it's time to work on your resume, and hope your discharge reads 'Honorable'.
The Dragon Age: Origins single-player campaign was superior to the Neverwinter Nights 1 campaign in every way. It captured all that was great in Baldur's Gate and updated it with what they've learned since. Mass Effect 2 is a much tighter game than 1. I liked it as much as the first.
Bioware has consistently put out games I want to complete more than any other developer.
What very-effective character are you talking about in ME2? Zaeed? He's bolted-on DLC and completely forgettable. As was the Cerberus armor for Shepherd. I stopped using it as soon as I realized I couldn't remove the helmet. Note: I played the PC version. Maybe the Xbox version was locked down more than I was aware. Fortunately a full-time connection to the "Cerberus Network" wasn't required to play with the DLC.
Since SWTOR is an RPG, not a FPS, "skill" would have to be defined as tactics rather than twitch. If Bioware includes some of the mechanics from Mass Effect, such as cover and targeted shots, there might be room for individual talent. If not, once people figure out their action queues I doubt we'll see much variation in player ability.
Completely concur. Where the Mako missions fit into the story I loved it. Driving around, or over, craggy peaks to find optional rare elements... not so much. I wish they would have kept it in ME2, but sacrificed the tedious exploration parts.
"I can't even really blame the troops that much because it's basically a trap for poor people who can't find a job to do the bidding of our imperialist leaders."
1973 called. They want their draft-era mentality back. Way to demean our servicemembers. The fact is our brave men and women come from all walks of life and represent all economic and political demographics. They continue to volunteer for many reasons, only some of which are financial. "They" are "Us". Ask journalists who've embedded with them for any length of time. Even the most anti-war skeptics speak about our servicemembers with admiration.
I'm glad you don't blame our troops when things like this happen (it's almost always a senior leader or politician trying to hide something). But save your pity. It's pathetic.
I knew he was a normal guy when his back-page editorial picture in CGW in the early 90s showed him cringing while jamming his thumb way up his nose, apparently conducting a deep olfactory enema. I mean, who hasn't done that?
If memory serves, there were some additional quests that required you to travel between worlds to complete. It was truly massive, and the best of the M&M series, (even better than the Heroes of M&M series) IMO.
Thanks for re-igniting some dormant brain cells.:)
Betrayal at Krondor really sucked me in. With its (often cheesy) photo-realistic characters, it seemed far more visually advanced than its cartoony peers at the time, such as Might & Magic III & IV, Wing Commander, the original Doom, and the Sierra adventure games, all of which I played and loved. The music, atmosphere, combat, loot and inventory system were just right.
I enjoyed playing the lute for room and board at the taverns, starting out really bad but eventually getting pretty good. And the cut-scenes where the actors with their glued-on beards were so ridiculous that they added to the entertainment instead of trying too hard and failing.
I'm sure it would look dated if I fired it up today, but it filled a perfect niche at the time.
Meh. Here in the U.S. cable TV networks have stopped including timezones with their show promotions. It's understood that announced times are ET (U.S. East Coast) and we poor saps in the Midwestern states just have to translate. You'd think Chicago, St. Louis, not to mention Texas, would get some respect...
You, AC, are just as bad as the Peace Action Network. From TFS: "In its desperate approach to meet recruiting numbers, the military is teaching the wrong values to teenagers. Sugarcoating combat experience with virtual war is a dishonor to those with real war experience."
I proved that the military is not desperate. What have you or the PAN proved, other than your ignorant, anti-military bias?
The military is enjoying a recruiting boom thanks to the poor economy. Enlistment bonuses are getting cut and the military is getting much more selective in whom they accept. This year in particular is a recruiter's wet dream.
All this "experience" does is reach out to Generation Y in a new way.
You make a good argument for contracting out IT to civilians. If the military institution cannot adapt quickly enough to current cyber realities then it needs to depend on outside agencies. But I think you sell your NCO corps short, which you may come to realize after you've been out of uniform for a few years.
But claiming that warrior skills and ethos are not necessary skills in military IT is a cop out excuse. If you choose to wear the uniform then you swear an oath to abide by the values of your service. Even Airmen are expected to look sharp and demonstrate military customs and courtesies. It takes little extra effort to exercise and hone your warrior skills. And it takes nothing away from your IT skills.
The military values longevity before merit. You didn't need an essay to make that point. And it's not just in IT. Any technical field that requires creative and above-average talent (e.g. science, foreign languages, writing, music) will produce this situation.
The part you left out is that there are very talented people who choose to endure their time as junior enlisted service members, get promoted and make a difference. The NCO corps today is the most educated and professional in history, even allowing for the few dregs who treat it like a welfare program.
That's good. I struggle to max the run, too. You don't have to be perfect, just make the attempt.
The point it that I've seen many Soldiers who struggle to even pass the APFT (not that hard in the Army), then complain about lack of advancement. The requirements are clearly spelled out and it's not rocket science to meet them. All it takes is determination and willpower. Too easy.
Why can't you get a 300? You don't have to be an Olympic athlete. There's no reason you can't be a warrior and be a top tech. The Marines, like the Army, look at the whole person. Physical fitness, weapons qualifications, general military knowledge, and your job-specific skills.
The problem I see with uniformed tech folks is that they see themselves as techs first instead of Soldiers/Marines first. Embrace your inner hooah/oorah!
Slashdot Mirror
You're implying an institutional conspiracy in the military against education and critical thinking that is simply untrue. The military today values bright, talented people more than ever. The problem is that many of them are too fat, have too many health problems, and have too many drug and felony convictions to qualify for service.
There are plenty of scary-smart patriotic people in the military who had plenty of cushy options but chose to serve in combat instead. Jon Stewart has said as much on the Daily Show from his interactions with them.
You can be patriotic and serve your country while disagreeing with your government's policies. That's the beauty of a democratic republic.
It is possible to possess sufficient character and values for these positions without sacrificing curiosity and creativity. Boy Scout, maybe. But Nazi devotion is a Hollywood trope. You work for "The People" not the institution.
"Loyalty to my country always. Loyalty to my government when it deserves it." - T. Roosevelt
Top Secret is not a very high level of clearance anymore. It hasn't been for a while. TS is essentially the entry level of clearance.
Most military servicemembers have just a Secret clearance. Senior leadership and those who work in intelligence or certain specialties require higher, of course.
A bigger point is that it's very difficult to do anything in the military without a clearance of some kind. And it's very easy for junior servicemembers (or senior folks who should know better) to do something stupid and lose their clearance: drugs, legal problems, financial woes, or anything that brings your character into question, on or off duty. Once your clearance is yanked your service options are very limited. And when it's clear you're not getting your clearance back it's time to work on your resume, and hope your discharge reads 'Honorable'.
The Dragon Age: Origins single-player campaign was superior to the Neverwinter Nights 1 campaign in every way. It captured all that was great in Baldur's Gate and updated it with what they've learned since. Mass Effect 2 is a much tighter game than 1. I liked it as much as the first.
Bioware has consistently put out games I want to complete more than any other developer.
That's a great observation. Maybe they're not psychopaths in real life, but choosing to portray them in-game certainly raises the question.
What very-effective character are you talking about in ME2? Zaeed? He's bolted-on DLC and completely forgettable. As was the Cerberus armor for Shepherd. I stopped using it as soon as I realized I couldn't remove the helmet. Note: I played the PC version. Maybe the Xbox version was locked down more than I was aware. Fortunately a full-time connection to the "Cerberus Network" wasn't required to play with the DLC.
Since SWTOR is an RPG, not a FPS, "skill" would have to be defined as tactics rather than twitch. If Bioware includes some of the mechanics from Mass Effect, such as cover and targeted shots, there might be room for individual talent. If not, once people figure out their action queues I doubt we'll see much variation in player ability.
Completely concur. Where the Mako missions fit into the story I loved it. Driving around, or over, craggy peaks to find optional rare elements... not so much. I wish they would have kept it in ME2, but sacrificed the tedious exploration parts.
"I can't even really blame the troops that much because it's basically a trap for poor people who can't find a job to do the bidding of our imperialist leaders."
1973 called. They want their draft-era mentality back. Way to demean our servicemembers. The fact is our brave men and women come from all walks of life and represent all economic and political demographics. They continue to volunteer for many reasons, only some of which are financial. "They" are "Us". Ask journalists who've embedded with them for any length of time. Even the most anti-war skeptics speak about our servicemembers with admiration.
I'm glad you don't blame our troops when things like this happen (it's almost always a senior leader or politician trying to hide something). But save your pity. It's pathetic.
"Um, with the iPad, you just buy a new iPad, plug it in and sync."
and sync... with your $300 netbook running Windows? Oh, the irony.
I knew he was a normal guy when his back-page editorial picture in CGW in the early 90s showed him cringing while jamming his thumb way up his nose, apparently conducting a deep olfactory enema. I mean, who hasn't done that?
If memory serves, there were some additional quests that required you to travel between worlds to complete. It was truly massive, and the best of the M&M series, (even better than the Heroes of M&M series) IMO.
Thanks for re-igniting some dormant brain cells. :)
Betrayal at Krondor really sucked me in. With its (often cheesy) photo-realistic characters, it seemed far more visually advanced than its cartoony peers at the time, such as Might & Magic III & IV, Wing Commander, the original Doom, and the Sierra adventure games, all of which I played and loved. The music, atmosphere, combat, loot and inventory system were just right.
I enjoyed playing the lute for room and board at the taverns, starting out really bad but eventually getting pretty good. And the cut-scenes where the actors with their glued-on beards were so ridiculous that they added to the entertainment instead of trying too hard and failing.
I'm sure it would look dated if I fired it up today, but it filled a perfect niche at the time.
Meh. Here in the U.S. cable TV networks have stopped including timezones with their show promotions. It's understood that announced times are ET (U.S. East Coast) and we poor saps in the Midwestern states just have to translate. You'd think Chicago, St. Louis, not to mention Texas, would get some respect...
Now, can we please stop seeing topics like this based entirely on nostalgia?
Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.
Crap, not fast enough with my signature sig.
You, AC, are just as bad as the Peace Action Network. From TFS:
"In its desperate approach to meet recruiting numbers, the military is teaching the wrong values to teenagers. Sugarcoating combat experience with virtual war is a dishonor to those with real war experience."
I proved that the military is not desperate. What have you or the PAN proved, other than your ignorant, anti-military bias?
Typical uninformed protestors.
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/03/army_recruiting_numbers_031109w/
The military is enjoying a recruiting boom thanks to the poor economy. Enlistment bonuses are getting cut and the military is getting much more selective in whom they accept. This year in particular is a recruiter's wet dream.
All this "experience" does is reach out to Generation Y in a new way.
If it had help failing, the U.S. would have bragged about it.
No, the U.S. would "neither confirm nor deny" their involvement.
Precisely.
Good post. Wish I had mod points.
It is not bad enough in IT that good people are turning to lives of crime to make ends meet.
More likely they were never good people.
You make a good argument for contracting out IT to civilians. If the military institution cannot adapt quickly enough to current cyber realities then it needs to depend on outside agencies. But I think you sell your NCO corps short, which you may come to realize after you've been out of uniform for a few years.
But claiming that warrior skills and ethos are not necessary skills in military IT is a cop out excuse. If you choose to wear the uniform then you swear an oath to abide by the values of your service. Even Airmen are expected to look sharp and demonstrate military customs and courtesies. It takes little extra effort to exercise and hone your warrior skills. And it takes nothing away from your IT skills.
Tech AND a warrior. Not OR.
The military values longevity before merit. You didn't need an essay to make that point. And it's not just in IT. Any technical field that requires creative and above-average talent (e.g. science, foreign languages, writing, music) will produce this situation.
The part you left out is that there are very talented people who choose to endure their time as junior enlisted service members, get promoted and make a difference. The NCO corps today is the most educated and professional in history, even allowing for the few dregs who treat it like a welfare program.
That's good. I struggle to max the run, too. You don't have to be perfect, just make the attempt.
The point it that I've seen many Soldiers who struggle to even pass the APFT (not that hard in the Army), then complain about lack of advancement. The requirements are clearly spelled out and it's not rocket science to meet them. All it takes is determination and willpower. Too easy.
Why can't you get a 300? You don't have to be an Olympic athlete. There's no reason you can't be a warrior and be a top tech. The Marines, like the Army, look at the whole person. Physical fitness, weapons qualifications, general military knowledge, and your job-specific skills.
The problem I see with uniformed tech folks is that they see themselves as techs first instead of Soldiers/Marines first. Embrace your inner hooah/oorah!