Heinlein and math

Wed Mar 05, 2003 9:59 pm by Fear Factor

He seems to be fascinated with math. I've read only 3 of his books, namely Glory Road (funny as hell), Stranger in a Strange Land (VERY good, but slow as hell), and especially in Starship Troopers: "Everything of any importance is founded on mathematics." I personally don't see that math is that important in war doctrine. What do you think?

If you've read any of his other books, do they also celebrate this trait of his? Discuss!

Aku. Soku. Zan. (Kill. Evil. Instantly.)

Thu Mar 06, 2003 8:03 am by Bhurak Starkiller

Math not important in war?

Two words: game theory.

Thu Mar 06, 2003 1:43 pm by Stone-D

"Mine arrows number sixe. Ye menne yn yonder peasante village number two dozenne. Dost thou thinketh I maye slay them frome afar?"

"No, you thick twat. Get in there with your sword and gut them! Derek! How many catapults are still functioning?"

"Umm... seven?"

"You sure?"

"Umm... yes?"

"Oh? Good! It's strange, though, considering WE STARTED WITH ONLY FIVE!! Gawd, I've got a splitting headache!"

Thu Mar 06, 2003 6:36 pm by zlo

lol, Stone-D, that was cool! I've read some books, but it was some time ago, I can't remember the details exactly. As for maths in war - yes, I guess you need it. It is for this reason that I never thought of starting any wars

There is no greater fear than running out of beer!

Fri Mar 07, 2003 6:43 am by pieman3141

In Sun tzu's Art of War. it is quite common to see probability go into it. Math == important in war.

Fri Mar 07, 2003 11:43 am by Saiyan

I think it is because wars about Numbers, not just tactics. I dont care how good a commander you are. 5 Paratroopers aren't going to beat 3,000 Commando's

You've got to take into account what your enemy has at his disposal. What you have. Estimate what it will take to hold a position, estimate what it'll take to capture a city, etc.

Fri Mar 07, 2003 1:07 pm by Fear Factor

ROTFL! well I didn't exactly mean it like that. I mean it was simply strange for a Captain to make time to tutor ONE Rico on ADVANCED math. Why are they so persistent in teaching it even to grunts?

Fri Mar 07, 2003 3:50 pm by Saiyan

So they can work out how many grenades they'll need

I duno though, maybe they think its worth the while teaching them it (in the highly unlikely the event that they'll have to calculate Pie divided Square root of 50.86 multiplied by one quater of 18 then subrating one during a battle. Could happen

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