Final Draft

Advanced Weaponry and Technology Technology and War Have you ever wondered how things changed so fast from having bows and arrows to machine guns, rifles and tanks? How did the world come to fighting this type of war? Technology has done a lot of things for our society and our world but is technology a good or bad thing when pertaining to war? There are many things that are wrong with todays world and the way that people and nations have to defend themselves from one another. People really dont know what our soldiers have to go through to defend the freedom that we take for granted sometimes. There have been many technological advances in general that has helped the way of life for human beings, like the advancement of fire. They found a new resource that they didnt think of and now we use fire every day. Our society makes sure that the advancements are safe to use by trial and error. Some people are scared to offend others and thats why some people dont speak up when they have a great idea. We call this political correctness. Benjamin Carson is a well-known doctor who works at John Hopkins Hospital and his specialty is neurosurgery. So I can say that he is a very smart man; who says that we need to stop political correctness, and people just need to speak out on what they believe in. Alex Roland is a professor at Duke University and teaches History. In his essay based on his presentation, Teaching the History of Innovation he talks about Technology Determinism. He states that Technology Determinism is a distraction, a rhetorical device that diverts attention from the real historical questions that surround the relationship between war and technology. He states that this is what drives innovation in war (Roland). War is evolving is what he also states. I think that this is very true and that technology plays a vital part in warfare. There are new advancements that come with warfare each and every time there is a war that it is hard to keep up with them. One example would be the use of the gun. The U.S. has always been on top of technology, and drones would keep us there. The uses of drones have been steadily increasing in recent years, creating concern for many. Drones are very sensitive to a lot of people around the world and in the U.S. government. Whether were comfortable with this trend in warfare, the robotics revolution looks to alter societys relationship with war in some profound ways. (Lee) Its a big issue today. Theres a big plus side to putting the drones into combat though; no human being is actually in the cockpit flying the airplane, so no human being would be killed if shot down. There's also a counter argument where people would say that a computer doesn't have a moral system. Well that is a just argument what I would say back would be that if you decide to shoot from an air craft either man or unmanned then you better be deciding to kill and know who you are targeting at. You need to be ready for the consequences. Look back to when the cavemen first discovered fire. They didnt know what it was or even how to explain it. They just knew what they could do with it, which is to keep themselves warm, and to heat

things up. Just like in todays world, we may not want to try things because we are scared and afraid that it may hurt us but it actually may benefit us in some way. Give it a try and get out of your comfort zone and try things. Just like trying new technologies and weapons that in time of need would come in handy. When I was about 10 years old my grandfather was 60 years and he got his first cell phone. He didnt want to at the time but my mother made him. He never grew up with anything like a cell phone or anything and was scared of getting one because he just wasnt into trying any new technology. He was caught up with the old ways of doing everything and didn't want to try anything new. After a while he actually started liking it and was figuring out how to use it. Just like technologies that we dont know, you wont find out if you like it, if you dont try it. We have too much hatred nowadays for people that dont exactly agree with us. For example why are there so many republicans and democrats? Theres too much fighting politically in the United States and all over the world in that case. People need to figure out a way to get along with each other. If more people didnt try to be so politically correct and just say what they mean to the world could come together rather than falling apart. There are too many people that dont listen to other peoples ideas just because they disagree with them on a statement they said. But they actually might have a valid point and could help the safety or advancing society in a particular way. Drones are very sensitive to a lot of people around the world and in the U.S. government. Whether were comfortable with this trend in warfare, the robotics revolution looks to alter societys relationship with war in some profound ways. (Lee) Its a big issue today. Theres a big plus side to putting the drones into combat though; no human being is actually in the cockpit flying the airplane, so no human being would be killed if shot down. There's also a counter argument where people would say that a computer doesn't have a moral system. Well that is a just argument what I would say back would be that if you decide to shoot from an air craft either man or unmanned then you better be deciding to kill and know who you are targeting at. You need to be ready for the consequences. Look back to when the cavemen first discovered fire. They didnt know what it was or even how to explain it. They just knew what they could do with it, which is to keep themselves warm, and to heat things up. Just like in todays world, we may not want to try things because we are scared and afraid that it may hurt us but it actually may benefit us in some way. Give it a try and get out of your comfort zone and try things. Just like trying new technologies and weapons that in time of need would come in handy. When I was about 10 years old my grandfather was 60 years and he got his first cell phone. He didnt want to at the time but my mother made him. He never grew up with anything like a cell phone or anything and was scared of getting one because he just wasnt into trying any new technology. He was caught up with the old ways of doing everything and didn't want to try anything new. After a while he actually started liking it and was figuring out how to use it. Just like technologies that we dont know, you wont find out if you like it, if you dont try it.

We have too much hatred nowadays for people that dont exactly agree with us. For example why are there so many republicans and democrats? Theres too much fighting politically in the United States and all over the world in that case. People need to figure out a way to get along with each other. If more people didnt try to be so politically correct and just say what they mean to the world could come together rather than falling apart. There are too many people that dont listen to other peoples ideas just because they disagree with them on a statement they said. But they actually might have a valid point and could help the safety or advancing society in a particular way. Alex Roland did a presentation on the Technology Determinism with which he talks about four different key points, Technology Shapes Warfare, Technology Does Not Determine Warfare, The Open Door, and Modern Military Technology is Different. In all of these points he explains his stance on how throughout years of warfare, there has always been an evolving technological advancement that came with each war or battle that time has to keep up with advancement. In the early years of when there was just swords and different things that was used to take down an enemy to the years of the gun to the years of machine guns that fire fifty rounds per minute. There will always be different advancements that the world has to evolve around to win and fight battles. Technology is not just a wanted thing when it comes to warfare it is a necessity. Technology will go hand in hand with war and will play a key part of which side wins. People realize that and that is why there is a rush to see what the next big advancement will be. Rather it will be quieter helicopters, lighter infantry equipment, or wider surveillance (Beidel, Erwin, Magnuson) techniques there is a necessity for these things in war times.

The First Proposal

Americas Powerful Military

Exigence

The United States of America has the best military in the world. This is true because of the brave and courageous men and women of the U.S. military. The US is known for this because of all the technological advances that we have, one example of a technological advancement would be the advancement of the military weapon. Without all of these advancements that the US military has, they

would not be able to be such a huge and powerful leader in todays world. Not only in combat situations does the United States of America excel the country as a whole excel in all aspects. For example, the US is a leader in cyber security, where there are virus protectors and people who work non-stop on the cyber attack wing. There are many advancements in all aspects of the US military and cyber-security is just one of the many examples of the new technological advancements that are in use today. There are new guns that soldiers havent even seen or heard of yet, that are being assessed for combat situations. Having prior knowledge about new advancements can help citizens all around the world understand more about the military. These advancements affect us in the U.S. and people around the world in many ways like hurting their economy and having military guns on the street that some governments may not allow in their country. People may get these guns illegally. They will concern people in the middle east who have been fighting against the U.S. It concerns the United States allies, like France and Israel for example because we will supply them with whatever new guns we will get. Americas enemies will be affected by these weapon advancements because the U.S. will deploy these weapons into combat to kill and terminate the enemy to keep this country safe. Americans are the worlds protectors and to prevent war from all nations. Our nation has the strongest and most powerful military in the world

Inquiry

Technological advances are a huge problem today because countries have surpassed the U.S. in their studies of different types of weapons, or weapons that doesnt necessarily kill human lives but kills economies like Americas. What I mean by this is an exactly an example of cyber-security, which is computer network care and confidence. These advances keep America safe and harm free. What advances in our military; technological or other ways can help America's soldiers keep their country and the world safe from terrorists and other evil organizations that kill innocent men, women, and children? There are many questions that come with advancements related to America's military. One of the most important questions is, what will any new advancement in our technology do? Either to our citizens or foreign citizens. For example, we get a new type of mortar that kills everyone within twenty miles of the spot we shot it. What innocent lives will be lost and what kind of risk do we have when we put this weapon into combat. It is up to the highest ranking officer in the military or in the nation to determine whether we should put this particular advancement in the field or not. Overall what kind of risk would involve this advancement is what they need to ask themselves. We have to ask ourselves will this advancement really help the U.S. do whatever we have to do? We also have to ask; what will combat look like once these advancements are put into place?

Method

I plan on having several methods of research, my primary method would be to conduct an interview with my father since he was in the United States Marine Corps. I am also going to conduct a second survey with my grandfather, he was also in the military. He served while the Korean war was going on and actually went there to fight. I will ask them many questions including what advancements did they have back when they were in the military. I would also research online what type of advancements that my father and my grandfather had when they were in the military. I think that this will be a very reliable and great part of my EIP since it is so close to me, since part of my family was in it. My secondary research will be going to the library to look what books Atkins has for advancements in technology. I am looking forward to began researching and digging deep to find out what our country has in our arsenal of weapons in the future. I will have my interview with my father and grandfather done by February ninth and all of my research done by the 10th. I think if we have these advancements and use them to our capability and to use them effectively then we will be a safe and powerful nation. Other nations will look to the US as world leaders and our safety is the number one goal.

Annotated Bibliography

Beidel, Eric, Sandra I. Erwin, and Stew Magnuson. "10 Technologies the U.S. Military Will Need For the Next War ." 10 Technologies the U.S. Military Will Need For the Next War. National Defense Industrial Organization, Nov. 2011. Web. 17 Feb. 2013. Evaluation:

I think this is a very credible source because it is on a National Defense website. Most of their points are very valid and true.

Gist:

Over the span of this article the Beidel, Erwin and Magnuson talk about the different new technologies/ weaponry that will be needed for the next war. Some examples of these technologies would be quieter helicopters, lighter infantry equipment, and wider surveillance. There is a need for all of these things and more if or when we go into another war. Beidel, Erwin, and Magnuson show that some technology needs to be improved and these are the most efficient ways.

Burrus, Daniel. "Is Technology Good or Evil?" The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 24 Aug. 2012. Web. 17 Feb. 2013. Evaluation:

The huffington post is a very credible source. I dont know though if this article just talks about technology or does it also deal with technology in the military also. Daniel Burrus is a well known speaker, technology futurist, and author.

Gist:

Drones are one of the examples of this military technology in this article. Another piece of evidence is aircraft. There are many people that are sensitive on this topic but this article goes in depth of what happens in the cockpit of the drone. There is actually a person who is driving this from the so called cockpit but is actually hundreds of miles away.

Hambling, David. "Introduction: Weapons Technology." - Tech. NewScientist, n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2013. Evaluation:

This is a credible source and is reliable. David Hambling is a well known blogger and author.

Gist:

The U.S. is very good with staying on top of the technology world. There are many sensitive issues including torture and different ways we the U.S. interrogate our prisoners. There are new ways of torture that are coming out. The US military have developed the Active Denial System, or "people zapper", which uses a microwave beam to inflict pain without damage, as well as the Pulsed Energy Projectile - a non-lethal laser causing incapacitating pain. (Hambling)

Lee, Brianna. "Drones." PBS. PBS, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 17 Feb. 2013. Evaluation:

PBS is a valuable resource when it comes to accurate and factual information pertaining in government, politics, life in general. There is a lot of studies done by this company and organization.

Gist:

Drones are very sensitive to a lot of people around the world and in the U.S. government. Whether were comfortable with this trend in warfare, the robotics revolution looks to alter societys relationship with war in some profound ways. (Lee) A reason this is sensitive is because there are some civilian and innocent people being killed in these drone attacks. There is also a positive side to this as well. One pro would be that it is a lot safer to put a robot airplane then to send a soldier.

Roland, Alex. "War and Technology." - FPRI. Foreign Policy Research Institute, Feb. 2009. Web. 17 Feb. 2013. Evaluation:

This is a credible source because Alex Roland is a Professor at Duke University and he teaches History. It is an essay based on his presentation, Teaching the History of Innovation. Foreign Policy Research Institute posted this on their websites as one of their newsletters. Gist:

In Alex Rolands presentation, he made four concrete points, Technology Shapes Warfare, Technology Does Not Determine Warfare, The Open Door, and Modern Military Technology is Different. He talks about Technology Determinism. Alex Roland states that Technology Determinism is a distraction, a rhetorical device that diverts attention from the real historical questions that surround the relationship between war and technology. He states that this is what drives innovation in war. War is evolving (Roland) so it is important to determine the reasons why technology and innovation comes together to become key in war times. Synthesis:

There are so many advances that the military uses in the field today that are very sensitive and sometimes even argumentative. The military is a huge branch of the government that protects us in foreign and domestically speaking. There is issues on whether or not that this tactic or weapon is morally and ethically right. Today, thanks to exponential growth in processing power, storage, and bandwidth, we have the ability to do things that were literally impossible just a few years ago.(Burrus) Throughout history there has always been a big conflict between nations, states, and even continents. There was a need of technology during those times where the nations, states, or continents fought. Whether fighting for land, justice, or freedom we have fought for what we think we should have. We have fought with bows, arrows, cannons, types of guns and many other things. There has always been people there to invent things that are needed for fighting and war. There has been wars that the U.S. have been apart of that a lot of men have fought and died. The United States Armed Forces have always been innovative and looking for new technology. The wars of the past decade exposed an innovation gap that forced the U.S. military to play catch up, and react to enemy tactics such as roadside bombs and sniper attacks rather than anticipating them. (Beidel) There has always been a big innovative gap as Beidel said but what should we do to make the world and make sure the United States is a safer place? Do you believe that the country should make more weapons of mass destruction such as atom bombs like the one that hit Hiroshima or should we not make anymore weapons like that so we don't have to worry about killing innocent people? Should we speak softly and carry a big stick like President Roosevelt said to do? There are many questions considering all the technological advances that the military are looking to get. One of the advances that are already implemented are the use of drones. Now granted the drone attacks have been here for close to a decade but it is a very sensitive topic. Now there are people who dont necessarily like the drone attacks and there are people who do. It is a questionable issue. Drones have taken on crucial tasks in the military that have often been deemed too risky for humans: providing surveillance, launching missile attacks on insurgent leaders and dismantling

roadside bombs that have been a leading cause of deaths in the recent wars. (Lee) Well if it doesnt put any soldiers in harms way then why would people be against the use of drones. There is always an issue of whether drones kill innocent people too. However, analyses by the non-partisan New America Foundation estimate that approximately 17 percent of the total deaths caused by drone strikes in Pakistan were civilian fatalities. (Lee) Although there are many technological advances, there is always going to be innovation during war times and new weaponry coming about. Technology does not cause war, technology is there to allow the good guys to create peace or justice in a time of need. Like in old times, there will be always new inventions and technological advancements that can either be good for society or bad. As Alex Roland stated technology shapes warfare, not war. War is timeless and universal. It has affected virtually every state known to human history. Warfare is the conduct of war. It is the clash of arms or the maneuver of armed forces in the field. Its up to us as human beings to make the right decision to what we want in our life.