And An Excellent Keith Laumer Reference Goes Underappreciated

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The discussion highlights the achievements of an individual working in GM's autonomous car division, who has successfully opened a trade school to teach five-axis milling machine operation while maintaining her job. The conversation expresses a sense of nostalgia and disappointment that she is unfamiliar with the Dinochrome Brigade and Bolos, autonomous cybertanks with advanced capabilities, which were reportedly invented by GM. The Bolos, especially models above Mark 19, are noted for their self-awareness and immense firepower. The author reflects on the lack of resources related to these topics online and suggests a gaming connection through Steve Jackson's "Ogre." Additionally, there is a mention of the narrative potential of AI in literature, referencing a desire for more stories featuring AI perspectives. The discussion concludes with an acknowledgment of the individual's accomplishments.
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My youngest is a fabricator for GM, working in their autonomous car division. She's doing so well she just opened a trade school to teach people how to use a five axis milling machine, with her own money no less AND still keeping her day job. (Lord! five axis milling machines cost over a $100,000! For the basics!)

My lament? She's never heard of the Dinochrome Brigade, or even Bolos for that matter!

(Bolos are autonomous cybertanks. Most models above Mark 19 were considered self-aware with the highest I've read being the Mark 32 Stupendous.) The higher end models had firepower ratings of "megatons per second" with 28 mps and above for Marks 30 and higher.

According to the series author they were invented by GM.
 
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Allow me to offer a 387b - Commiseration on lack of posts, combined with 115a - amazement that there isn't a list of Diplomatic Communication Contractions on the web, somewhere.
 
If she's into gaming at all, you could try point her at the Steam version of Steve Jackson's game "Ogre". But she may not have copious amounts of spare time to appreciate it from the sound of things.
 
BigDon said:
My youngest is a fabricator for GM, working in their autonomous car division. She's doing so well she just opened a trade school to teach people how to use a five axis milling machine, with her own money no less AND still keeping her day job. (Lord! five axis milling machines cost over a $100,000! For the basics!)

My lament? She's never heard of the Dinochrome Brigade, or even Bolos for that matter!

(Bolos are autonomous cybertanks. Most models above Mark 19 were considered self-aware with the highest I've read being the Mark 32 Stupendous.) The higher end models had firepower ratings of "megatons per second" with 28 mps and above for Marks 30 and higher.

According to the series author they were invented by GM.
I must admit I haven't read the books yet. I'm under the impression (from reading Atomic Rockets) that it's the only really successful shot at writing an adventure where the protagonist/vantage point is an AI.

It goes nicely hand in hand with my post here though:

https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/good-online-reads.1003616/

There's a lot of operatic militarism, extended lifespans (wink to yet another thread here) and, yes, AI POV there.

EDIT: Cudos to your progeny btw. No wonder you're proud. :)
 
I wonder how much stories were written, that involve space fighters, and arent so soft as Star wars. I dont think missiles totally make fighter craft obsolate, for example the former cant escort shuttles if one wants to capture a celestial body. I dont insist fighters have to be manned (i enjoyed Enders game about someone control the events for afar) but i also think it isnt totally unjustifiable.
So far I've been enjoying the show but I am curious to hear from those a little more knowledgeable of the Dune universe as my knowledge is only of the first Dune book, The 1984 movie, The Sy-fy channel Dune and Children of Dune mini series and the most recent two movies. How much material is it pulling from the Dune books (both the original Frank Herbert and the Brian Herbert books)? If so, what books could fill in some knowledge gaps?
I thought I had discovered a giant plot hole in Avatar universe, but apparently it's based on a faulty notion. So, the anti-gravity effect that lifts whole mountains into the sky is unrelated to the unobtanium deposits? Apparently the value of unobtanium is in its property as a room temperature superconductor, which enables their superluminal drive technology. Unobtanium is found in large deposits underground, which is why they want to mine the ground. OK. So, these mountains - which...
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