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

[atreideslioness]

When the students arrived, they would find that Ghanima had provided moddable treats from JGoB and the Perk, all of which were piled on tables against the back wall of the classroom.

"Welcome back," Ghanima said brightly. "You've managed to make it all the way to the last class, and hopefully you even picked up a thing or two along the way. We've made it all the way through Tzu's Art of War, so today you'll get a bit of a break on the note-taking aspect of class."

"Last week, I asked to uncover some tidbit of information to which you would not normally be privy, either via another spy or by doing the digging yourself. You will not need to share exactly what you learned, if that makes you uncomfortable, merely the method used to discover the information. I am curious to find out how your foray into intelligence gathering went. How do you feel about it? Is this information something you could use to your benefit? Would you?"

After the students had recounted their possibly handwavey exploits, Ghanima nodded thoughtfully. "To some, the ethics of spying are rather straight forward. To others, it holds infinite shades of gray." She smiled brightly at the students as she wandered the rows between the desks. "To yet more, it simply is, ethics be dammed. I will admit to being in the latter category, and quite happily."

"So now I am going to ask you to indulge my curiosity one last time. I'd like each of you to tell me what you learned this semester. It can be something about class, something about yourself, something about your own ethical outlook, it doesn't matter, so long as you have learned something. In return, feel free to ask me any question you like. I will do my level best to answer you honestly."

Comments

Sign-In #15

[atreideslioness]

One last time

Re: Sign-In #15

[grayskollar]

Adora

Re: Sign-In #15

[unusual_sith]

Lana Beniko

Re: Sign-In #15

[thebeastofhouston]

Arabella Baylor

Re: Sign-In #15

[canlendanear]

Alara Kitan

Re: Sign-In #15

[scoffs_at_tradition]

Shuri

Re: Sign-In #15

[white_oleander]

Astrid Magnussen

During the Lecture

[atreideslioness]

It's short and sweet! Ghani knows the odds of getting anyone to do anything today are low.

Discussion: SPYCRAFT!

[atreideslioness]

How did your foray into intelligence gathering go? Is it an experience you'd repeat? What did you learn?

Re: Discussion: SPYCRAFT!

[scoffs_at_tradition]

"I hacked the computer system of the information I was looking for and made a lovely friend named JARVIS," Shuri said. "I'd do it again."

Re: Discussion: SPYCRAFT!

[atreideslioness]

"Excellent!" Ghanima said, clapping her hands. "My universe has had...issues. With AI attempting to enslave humanity in the very distant past. I approve of keeping computers in their place."

Discussion: The Art of War

[atreideslioness]

What have you learned from this class? How does it affect your own ethical outlook?

Re: Discussion: The Art of War

[unusual_sith]

"I've learned a bit more about military planning than I knew," Lana said. "I hope it will help me in future."

Discussion: Ask Ghanima!

[atreideslioness]

You've got the Princess Royal of House Atreides ready and willing to answer your questions. Ask her anything - from how many people she's killed personally, to what her favorite color is. Ghanima will answer, as long as it does not compromise the safety and security of her House.

Re: Discussion: Ask Ghanima!

[unusual_sith]

"Are there any precepts you believe that Tzu left out?" Lana asked. Because she was a geek.

Re: Discussion: Ask Ghanima!

[atreideslioness]

"Less that he left out, more that there is an emerging terrain he was unequiped to imagine," Ghanima sighed. "Cyberwarfare, and the rise of artificial intelligence."

"When we remove the human component from war, let us keep our hands 'clean' and let the computers do the fighting, we lose our accountablility. Our ability to be in charge of decisions. And to a computer, a person is a statistic, not a decision."

Re: Discussion: Ask Ghanima!

[unusual_sith]

Lana nodded. "A good reason droids aren't put in charge of armies," she noted. "It's one thing to run probabilities, and another to allow them to control you."

Re: Discussion: Ask Ghanima!

[atreideslioness]

"Mind you, this does not mean that humans will not do completely atrocious things, if they think the probabilities justify the means," Ghanima continued tranquilly. "I have ordered entire noble families and their offshoots assassinated, because of their rebellion against House Atreides. "You do not have to be a droid to commit inhumane actions."

"But that is part of the cost of war, and a cost I have chosen to live with, as a commander."

Re: Discussion: Ask Ghanima!

[unusual_sith]

"Of course," Lana answered, nodding. "But you're able to factor in what those lives will cost. And more able to take a long shot if it's worth the risk. Not to mention - well, if you can't even look at what you're doing, you probably shouldn't be doing it. Not that a general can't order their troops somewhere to fight, but a good one knows what they're asking for."

She pondered it. "That's part of cost versus outcome and knowing yourself and your enemy, isn't it?"

Talk to the TA

[atreideslioness]

If she's there.

Re: Talk to the TA

[unusual_sith]

She is here!

Talk to Ghanima

[atreideslioness]

OTHER than during the class discussions.

ooc

[atreideslioness]

Sorry for late. Four days out sick means TOO MANY EMAILS.