And An Excellent Keith Laumer Reference Goes Underappreciated

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the appreciation of Keith Laumer's works, particularly the "Dinochrome Brigade" and "Bolos," in the context of modern technology and gaming. Participants share personal anecdotes and references to related themes in literature and gaming, exploring connections between autonomous technology and fictional representations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses pride in their child's achievements in the autonomous car division and trade school, lamenting her unfamiliarity with Laumer's works.
  • Another participant suggests a gaming alternative, recommending "Ogre" by Steve Jackson as a potential introduction to related themes.
  • A participant notes their own lack of familiarity with Laumer's books but references a perception that they successfully portray AI perspectives in adventure narratives.
  • There is a mention of the high cost of five-axis milling machines, emphasizing the technical challenges in the field.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the significance of Laumer's works or the familiarity of the younger generation with such literature. Multiple viewpoints are presented regarding the relevance of these themes in modern contexts.

Contextual Notes

Some statements reflect personal experiences and assumptions about the impact of literature on contemporary technology and gaming culture, which may not be universally applicable.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in the intersection of literature, technology, and gaming, particularly those who appreciate science fiction and its cultural implications.

BigDon
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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. :)