You are right about the debate in the late 70s and 1980s between cheaper and simpler weapons vs costlier and more technologically complex. I have the book National Defense by James Fallows which argued for cheaper and simpler weapons…
You mentioned Pournelle showing a two-dimensional chart mapping different political philosophies. I doubt that was the Nolan chart that the libertarians use and that the Political Compass has modified. Those have social and economic freedom as axes. Instead, I suspect he was using a chart of his own creation, the Pournelle chart, which used rationality vs. respect for government. He created that for his Ph.D. in political science. He was as original a thinker in politics as he was in technology.
Pournelle came up with his chart six years before Nolan in 1963. I don't know if Nolan was aware of Pournelle's work. And Pournelle's chart always struck me as more carefully worked out.
Still have an original hardback of Strategy of Technology. Pournelle will be sorely missed.
Thank you Jeffery. He will not be forgotten. RIP Jerry.
Jerry collaborated with Larry Niven on several books including _The Mote in God's Eye_ and _Lucifer's Hammer._
Read a few of his books...... RIP Jerry...... You guys give us continued hope and interest in the future.
You are right about the debate in the late 70s and 1980s between cheaper and simpler weapons vs costlier and more technologically complex. I have the book National Defense by James Fallows which argued for cheaper and simpler weapons…
You mentioned Pournelle showing a two-dimensional chart mapping different political philosophies. I doubt that was the Nolan chart that the libertarians use and that the Political Compass has modified. Those have social and economic freedom as axes. Instead, I suspect he was using a chart of his own creation, the Pournelle chart, which used rationality vs. respect for government. He created that for his Ph.D. in political science. He was as original a thinker in politics as he was in technology.
Pournelle came up with his chart six years before Nolan in 1963. I don't know if Nolan was aware of Pournelle's work. And Pournelle's chart always struck me as more carefully worked out.
Just reading his books starting with High Justice through The Gripping Hand
Time to look up stuff about Pournelle, because I shamefully must admit I've never heard of him. But I can learn.
Nice job Jeffrey! Well said!