Diplomacy, Relationships & Tactics: the Art of War [Tuesday, Period 3]

[atreideslioness]

"Today we are going to discuss the breaking-down of tactics and use of energy," Ghanima announced briskly. "Energy, to Tzu, was vital in the directing of a force, as was the endless combination of tactics at his disposal."

"First, tactics are not always as straight forward as they may seem." She turned away from them and quickly wrote out on the board;

10. In battle, there are not more than two methods
of attack--the direct and the indirect; yet these two
in combination give rise to an endless series of maneuvers.

11. The direct and the indirect lead on to each other in turn.
It is like moving in a circle--you never come to an end.
Who can exhaust the possibilities of their combination?

"Endless permutations, all made possible by the energy held by your troops." Ghanima continued to write, her slanted scrawl quickly filling the board as she spoke. "The limits only created by your own lack of imagination, and the strengths and weaknesses of your force."

21. The clever combatant looks to the effect of combined
energy, and does not require too much from individuals.
Hence his ability to pick out the right men and utilize
combined energy.

22. When he utilizes combined energy, his fighting
men become as it were like unto rolling logs or stones.
For it is the nature of a log or stone to remain
motionless on level ground, and to move when on a slope;
if four-cornered, to come to a standstill, but if
round-shaped, to go rolling down.

23. Thus the energy developed by good fighting men
is as the momentum of a round stone rolled down a mountain
thousands of feet in height. So much on the subject of energy.

"So. Energy feeding into tactics, and vice versa. What is an indirect tactic versus a direct one? How do you know? How does 'energy' work into it all?"

"Discuss."

Comments

Sign-In #6

[atreideslioness]

Energetically!

During the Lecture

[atreideslioness]

As you do!

Discussion: Direct Tactics

[atreideslioness]

What could be considered direct tactic in combat? What about in business or a personal relationship? List some of the ones you think up here, and discuss as a class.

Discussion: Energy

[atreideslioness]

Tzu says, "Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision, to the releasing of a trigger."

Do you agree with that? Why or why not? How do you visualize energy?

Talk to Ghanima

[atreideslioness]

She's here and energized!

Talk to the TA

[atreideslioness]

If she's around.

OOC

[atreideslioness]

Sorry for the delay; morning has been spent dealing with Doomsday-cult-ish religious flyers found all around the library.

Re: Sign-In #6

[white_oleander]

Astrid Magnussen

Re: Sign-In #6

[legionqueen]

Juillenne Milone (and Camden)

Re: Sign-In #6

[grayskollar]

Adora

Re: Sign-In #6

[canlendanear]

Alara Kitan

Re: Sign-In #6

[scoffs_at_tradition]

Shuri

Re: Sign-In #6

[thebeastofhouston]

Arabella Baylor

Re: Sign-In #6

[unusual_sith]

Lana Beniko

Re: Talk to the TA

[unusual_sith]

Lana was here! Smiling a bit at the mentions of energy and force, even if it was with a small "f".

Re: Discussion: Energy

[unusual_sith]

"The Force is probably a bit more literal a use of energy than Tzu had in mind," Lana said. "Nevertheless, it's as good physically as it is a metaphor. If we look at troops the way we look at the Force, as one combined thing that you manipulate in different directions by changing the details of how you engage...I think I see how that could work." She nodded.