Math Nerds Rejoice!

[36654]

All history is military history.

No. All history is a case study in economics. Military history is a by-product.

[akbeemer]

No. All history is a case study in economics. Military history is a by-product.

Perhaps the economics of warfare.

[greenwald]

No. All history is a case study in economics. Military history is a by-product.

Nah. That's like saying a 2015 Corvette is the by-product of internal combustion.

We celebrate the Sting Ray - not the chemistry.

[36654]

Nah. That's like saying a 2015 Corvette is the by-product of internal combustion.

We celebrate the Sting Ray - not the chemistry.

Nah, it's like saying the 2015 Corvette is a product derived from the development of the internal combustion engine. Without the engine, the 205 Corvette would be a fancy Amish buggy.

The Jim Burke, "Connections" series on PBS, airing 1970~1980's, was a classic.

In some cases, war spawns technical development that impacts the world's population with new products and capabilities, as demonstrated by WW1 and WW2. In others, like the persistent tribal and civil wars in Africa and the middle east, it doesn't. In the case of the US Civil War and WW1 Trench Warfare, technology had actually progressed beyond the military theory and the commanding officers were, in many cases, like Petersburg in the US and the WW1 trenches, incapable of adapting.

[greenwald]

Nah, it's like saying the 2015 Corvette is a product derived from the development of the internal combustion engine. Without the engine, the 205 Corvette would be a fancy Amish buggy.

The Jim Burke, "Connections" series on PBS, airing 1970~1980's, was a classic.

In some cases, war spawns technical development that impacts the world's population with new products and capabilities, as demonstrated by WW1 and WW2. In others, like the persistent tribal and civil wars in Africa and the middle east, it doesn't. In the case of the US Civil War and WW1 Trench Warfare, technology had actually progressed beyond the military theory and the commanding officers were, in many cases, like Petersburg in the US and the WW1 trenches, incapable of adapting.

Good points.

[rangerreece]

No. All history is a case study in economics. Military history is a by-product.

Actually, I have to agree with that statment. The more I study war, to include the wars I've fought in, I always find greed and selfishness wrapped in virtuous rhetoric as the overall motivator of one or more of the belligerents.

The hearts of the Warriors, more often than not, pure... true believers.

[greenwald]

Actually, I have to agree with that statment. The more I study war, to include the wars I've fought in, I always find greed and selfishness wrapped in virtuous rhetoric as the overall motivator of one or more of the belligerents.

The hearts of the Warriors, more often than not, pure... true believers.

So true. Sort of an extreme extension of "...follow the money," only on a global scale.

My son (member of the "Iron Brigade" of the 4th Infantry Div.) is now deployed to the Middle East - not his first rodeo there. (You can follow them @ https://www.facebook.com/3BCT4ID?pnref=story )

Warriors all - God-willing, home safe by Thanksgiving.

[brewmeister]

I ride for pi too!

[36654]

Actually, I have to agree with that statment. The more I study war, to include the wars I've fought in, I always find greed and selfishness wrapped in virtuous rhetoric as the overall motivator of one or more of the belligerents.

The hearts of the Warriors, more often than not, pure... true believers.

"Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel." attributed to Dr. Samuel Johnson, the guy that wrote the Dictionary.

[greenwald]

"Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel." attributed to Dr. Samuel Johnson, the guy that wrote the Dictionary.

Nah. He was a zealous Tory and his 'dictionary' was later eclipsed by the Oxford Dictionary and of course, our own Mr. Webster.

I stand with the Ranger.

[akbeemer]

Sam Johnson should have paid better attention to John Stuart Mill....

"War is an ugly thing but not the ugliest of things; the decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feelings which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."

[36654]

Nah. He was a zealous Tory and his 'dictionary' was later eclipsed by the Oxford Dictionary and of course, our own Mr. Webster.

I stand with the Ranger.

Ranger and Dr. Johnson said the same thing.

Relative to the OED, it only took the preeminent University 173-yrs to over take the good Dr. Johnson. That's not a bad run.

Noah Webster actually preceded the OED with his American Dictionary in 1828.

[36654]

Sam Johnson should have paid better attention to John Stuart Mill....

"War is an ugly thing but not the ugliest of things; the decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feelings which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."

If Dr. Johnson hadn't died 22-yrs before Mill's birth, he might have considered some of Mills opinions.

[akbeemer]

If Dr. Johnson hadn't died 22-yrs before Mill's birth, he might have considered some of Mills opinions.

Another example of bad planning on Sam's part.

[greenwald]

Sam Johnson should have paid better attention to John Stuart Mill....

"War is an ugly thing but not the ugliest of things; the decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feelings which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."

I like that quote and agree, though 36654 has an impressive command of history.

You gentlemen have morphed a math thread into an amazing banter of history.

Even more amazing is that it has not yet morphed into an oil discussion!