Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 163 Extrapolating Military Technology, Automation

10 January 2014, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 163 Extrapolating Military Technology, Automation

Announcement: My novels Sister of Light and Sister of Darkness are about to be published. I write this blog about 2 months prior to its publication. I just heard that the proofs will be here soon--likely before the end of the week. My publisher also wants to put the entire set of novels based on Aegypt on contract--that's 5 more novels for 8 total. They also want to put my other novels on contract. The release schedule should be one novel every 2 months. I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

The four plus one basic rules I employ when writing:

1. Don't confuse your readers.
2. Entertain your readers.
3. Ground your readers in the writing.
4. Don't show (or tell) everything.
5. Immerse yourself in the world of your writing.

I am writing about the extrapolation of science and technology to be able to write science fiction.  I made the point that it is almost meaningless to try to fully extrapolate a universe (world) that is 10,000 years in the future (and maybe 1,000 years in the future) without applying some cultural and technological shaping.

By shaping the cultures of your science fiction universe, you can shape the science and technology that is extrapolated.  Here is how I culturally shaped the universe of The Chronicles of the Dragon and the Fox to make the 10,000 year extrapolation work.

The major areas in warfare technology are:
1.  Software
2.  Weapons
     Heavy Weapons
3.  Countermeasures
4.  Defense
5.  Communications
6.  Robots
7.  Vehicles
8.  Environments (personal equipment)
9.  Costs 

The watchword behind robots is automation.  Automation is affecting every field of technology--it just sneaks up on us or we can't see the automation only the results.  An example is the phone system.  Phone systems originally had no automation at all--they required a human being to switch a phone to another phone.  The automation has happened almost without anyone noticing.  There once were millions of operators, now there are hundreds.  Every hotel had an operator, now there are none.  Every business paid a person to answer the phone, now there are none.

Automation will not get rid of every human occupation, but inventions create occupations and automation or innovation get rid of those same jobs.  Some times regulations or guilds hold on to extraneous jobs, but eventually, they go to extinction. 

Extrapolation of automation tells us that drivers and eventually pilots will disappear.  Don't quit your job now, but in the future (likely far future, 1000 years), pilots and drivers won't be necessary anymore.  Cars will drive themselves.  Planes will fly themselves.  We will retain the humans for a long time as pilots and drivers because of safety (when something the automation can't handle), culpability (you want to blame someone rather than something), and ease of mind (you won't trust a machine, but you will trust a person).  Regulations will keep pilots in aircraft long after they are needed and in cars long after they are needed, but that's another story.

More tomorrow.

Also remember, I'm trying to show you and give you examples of how to write a science fiction theme statement and turn it into a plot.

For more information, you can visit my author site http://www.ldalford.com/, and my individual novel websites:
http://www.aegyptnovel.com/
http://www.centurionnovel.com
http://www.thesecondmission.com/
http://www.theendofhonor.com/
http://www.thefoxshonor.com
http://www.aseasonofhonor.com

Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 161 Extrapolating Military Technology, more Airborne Robots

8 January 2014, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 161 Extrapolating Military Technology, Soldier Robots

Announcement: My novels Sister of Light and Sister of Darkness are about to be published. I write this blog about 2 months prior to its publication. I just heard that the proofs will be here soon--likely before the end of the week. My publisher also wants to put the entire set of novels based on Aegypt on contract--that's 5 more novels for 8 total. They also want to put my other novels on contract. The release schedule should be one novel every 2 months. I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

The four plus one basic rules I employ when writing:

1. Don't confuse your readers.
2. Entertain your readers.
3. Ground your readers in the writing.
4. Don't show (or tell) everything.
5. Immerse yourself in the world of your writing.

I am writing about the extrapolation of science and technology to be able to write science fiction.  I made the point that it is almost meaningless to try to fully extrapolate a universe (world) that is 10,000 years in the future (and maybe 1,000 years in the future) without applying some cultural and technological shaping.

By shaping the cultures of your science fiction universe, you can shape the science and technology that is extrapolated.  Here is how I culturally shaped the universe of The Chronicles of the Dragon and the Fox to make the 10,000 year extrapolation work.

The major areas in warfare technology are:
1.  Software
2.  Weapons
     Heavy Weapons
3.  Countermeasures
4.  Defense
5.  Communications
6.  Robots
7.  Vehicles
8.  Environments (personal equipment)
9.  Costs 

The concept of robots in synergy with modern weapons systems is the potential of modern combat systems.  This type of operation is a true integration of robot systems in warfare.  This is what we will see in the future.  I also imagine a more direct integration.  For example, current robots are envisioned as mules for soldiers.  I see the soldiers eventually riding these mules.  Next, the mules will be armed.  Next, the mules will be armored.  An armed and armored mule that the soldier can ride on and control is a mech.  A mech is basically what Robert Heinlein imagined in Starship Troopers.  This is a manned fighting machine that augments the capability of the individual soldier.

The mech is a vehicle the soldier can use to fight.  It moves like a human with potential additional capabilities like flight or limited flight.  It has integrated weapons.  A mech is really a vehicle more than it is a robot, but it comes from a robot and is a fully human integrated robot.  It is really a fighter for ground troops.  This may not sound robot-like, but it is a step in the extrapolation of systems in warfare.  The robot part of the equation is the similar vehicles that are under the control of a human.  These vehicles look similar to the human controlled vehicle, but are fully robot controlled, they allow the human commander more latitude and more risk. The big point is there is no reduction of human support and control on the battlefield, but rather human control of robots in the battle environment.

More tomorrow.

Also remember, I'm trying to show you and give you examples of how to write a science fiction theme statement and turn it into a plot.

For more information, you can visit my author site http://www.ldalford.com/, and my individual novel websites:
http://www.aegyptnovel.com/
http://www.centurionnovel.com
http://www.thesecondmission.com/
http://www.theendofhonor.com/
http://www.thefoxshonor.com
http://www.aseasonofhonor.com

Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 158 Extrapolating Military Technology, Beginning Robots

5 January 2014, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 158 Extrapolating Military Technology, Beginning Robots

Announcement: My novels Sister of Light and Sister of Darkness are about to be published. I write this blog about 2 months prior to its publication. I just heard that the proofs will be here soon--likely before the end of the week. My publisher also wants to put the entire set of novels based on Aegypt on contract--that's 5 more novels for 8 total. They also want to put my other novels on contract. The release schedule should be one novel every 2 months. I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

The four plus one basic rules I employ when writing:

1. Don't confuse your readers.
2. Entertain your readers.
3. Ground your readers in the writing.
4. Don't show (or tell) everything.
5. Immerse yourself in the world of your writing.

I am writing about the extrapolation of science and technology to be able to write science fiction.  I made the point that it is almost meaningless to try to fully extrapolate a universe (world) that is 10,000 years in the future (and maybe 1,000 years in the future) without applying some cultural and technological shaping.

By shaping the cultures of your science fiction universe, you can shape the science and technology that is extrapolated.  Here is how I culturally shaped the universe of The Chronicles of the Dragon and the Fox to make the 10,000 year extrapolation work.

The major areas in warfare technology are:
1.  Software
2.  Weapons
     Heavy Weapons
3.  Countermeasures
4.  Defense
5.  Communications
6.  Robots
7.  Vehicles
8.  Environments (personal equipment)
9.  Costs 

Robots and robot-like vehicles will be the future of warfare.  The human element will likely dominate for a long time, but the use of robots is already becoming an issue and an advantage. 

Robot use can be seen in the UAVs (uninhabited areal vehicles) used by all the militaries for surveillance and military operations.  How well these work today is difficult to determine.  They do not decrease the length of the kill chain, and they do not reduce potential for collateral damage.  They do reduce the risk to a nation's human soldiers.  They are more expensive (at present), and they don't improve combat efficiency. 

That's the real point in this extrapolation--robots currently are used simply to prevent human casualties.  Their real value is as a combat multiplier.  The concept of risk aversion will easily give away to real capability in robots when that exists. 

The robots that have great combat multiplier potential are those being currently developed for small units and as adjunct and support for combat aircraft.  These will be the true first wave of useful combat robots.

More tomorrow.

Also remember, I'm trying to show you and give you examples of how to write a science fiction theme statement and turn it into a plot.

For more information, you can visit my author site http://www.ldalford.com/, and my individual novel websites:
http://www.aegyptnovel.com/
http://www.centurionnovel.com
http://www.thesecondmission.com/
http://www.theendofhonor.com/
http://www.thefoxshonor.com
http://www.aseasonofhonor.com