Another "Sci-fi in the here & now" moment No doubt playing on the fictional comic book anti-hero (or maybe its just coincidence)… It is the future of war for soldiers in the field of battle. It’s an exoskeleton that aids in endurance and strength. Whilst researching my book, as well as following up on an article I wrote a couple of months ago on “Killer Robots: when sci-fi meets reality today” (click on the "Killer Robots" link in the archives), I stumbled upon this piece on a futuristic exoskeleton by Lockheed Martin (there are competitors). It’s practically a precursor to the full self-actuating body armour you see in many science fiction war stories. ONLY, this is not fiction… For a while the role of the foot soldier has been debated, what with the wave of modern war machines and the video-game-like drones, where pulling a trigger means pressing a button on a hi-tech device in a remote location. However, Special Forces regiments continue to illustrate their effectiveness. All modern covert operations involving the apprehension of a high profile international criminal/terrorist has been carried out by men of unparalleled training. You’ve probably by now heard of SEAL Team 6 and the Osama Bin Laden operation (now the subject of an award winning film), or the Special Forces originals, the SAS… but virtually every country in the world has an elite force that doesn’t get the publicity of the two mentioned here. They’re always small in number and fight odds well out of their favour. However the HULC (Human Universal Load Carrier) project has been developed to improve the capabilities of soldiers – enabling them to carry bigger loads for longer distances, with the ultimate goal being to eventually develop super soldiers… the journey does not end there though. The HULC exoskeleton may be an external addition to the conventional fighting force, but for a long time, governments have been at work trying to develop the perfect soldier, using any and all methods… including mind control, or hypnosis, specific scientific drug use and anything falling within the realm of mental conditioning. The latter just so happens to be a facet of my next book. Here's a look at the Lockheed Martin HULC promotional demo: It was while researching the topics of mental manipulation, mind control etc that I explored TMS or "Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation". This is literally involves using magnetism to temporarily improve higher brain functions. In the field of neuroscience, it's particular use is targeted, in this instance, at the military, specifically at improving soldiers cognitive resources under duress or extreme fatigue. Apparently some subjects demonstrated "Rain man" type capabilities when under TMS. This is all in the quest to develop the Super soldier, mind you, bringing two concepts together - that of numbing the human brain's responsiveness to stress, effectively making them more like a machine than ever before; begging the question: when does it stop, and at what point do we regard this sort of thing as forfeiting our humanity. Here's the link to the article on Super Soldiers which was published a little over a year ago on The Independent. Are we moving from this: To this:
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I'm not the biggest fan of the Zombie apocalypse genre, but AMC's The Walking Dead ranks as my favorite take. I believe the TV series format aids in fleshing out the concept, more so than films, although there have been a few very decent ones through the years. Here's a list of serious life lessons one can learn, or relearn from the series. They're highlighted very well by the character driven show - which is why its so good, making the scenario more realistic - when you see how normal human beings would react to something so foul. 1. Do not allow circumstance to change who you are. Of course we all change in some way with life and defining moments eliciting due reaction, a tragic loss of a loved one, hope diminishing… but we should not allow such things to alter who we are – our nature. Of course this is speaking in general terms because quite frankly some people need to change for the better (but this is targeted at those mostly outside the realm of extreme criminality). 2. The world is a dark and depressing place. It has always been so – because of mankind – the evils we see around us, in the news on a daily basis, is nothing new. Just think of people baying for blood in the roman Colosseum, an empire which also crucified people. Then there's the Holocaust, cannibalism, human trafficking, rape, mutilation, serial killers... 3. We live in a complicated world. But of course we made it so; by constantly cluttering our lives with material nonsense. When, ahem, if, the Zombie apocalypse makes landfall, one thing it will do for all concerned, is refocus our minds onto what is important – In Other Words – Prioritize… this is no time to be persnickety. 4. You’re only as good as your ‘worst’ member (reflecting the sentiments of ‘the health of a nation can be judged by its prisoners’). When in survival mode, people tend to make bizarre decisions… When things become really complicated – because of humans – deciding the fate of a fellow human being and having to play judge, jury and executioner, surely does provide ample opportunity to gauge the nature of the collective group. 5. Norman Reedus is still cool, it was looking dodgy after the curios case of Boondock: All Saints (Not a life lesson? – HA, your argument is invalid) No really, a redneck hillbilly makes for a valued ally when battling the dead, especially when he has many redeemable qualities… and if you're able to look past the personal hygiene issues. 6. You need human interaction to survive. You may be a bit like me, a person who is okay on your own, alone. Most writers don’t really suffer from loneliness, but when humanity is under threat, and you’re surrounded by moaning walkers and impending doom, a fellow healthy human is the prefect remedy to that sinking feeling… or at the very least, you’ll have some company when facing the darkness – whether literal, mental or that perceived darkness of death closing in. 7. And on that note: sort out your views/beliefs regarding death. I’m not a religious man, I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Saviour, so when the world descends further into apparent anarchy, best be at peace with death – I believe it is but a gateway, though this doesn’t mean I will not go down lightly; with a samurai sword in one hand and a spear in the other (and a pistol/Uzi and survival knife as backups) "I shall rage against the dying of the light!". 8. Learning some useful skills is always an advantage. There’s no need to be an expert, but a few seemingly abstract expertise will reveal their use in extreme situations. Everyone has a skill-set, the more the better, which means you’ll be a credit to your group – a pool of talent - indispensable even, improving their willingness to save you when in peril. 9. Being fit and healthy is a huge plus. You never know when you’ll be required to run for your life, sprint for a mile on an empty stomach, with full backpack of rations and medical supplies, with freaks on your tail, and your entire group depending on you. In all, okay most, apocalyptic tales, running is usually involved… 10. Self-control - an underestimated virtue. (you may find this a useful attribute in normal society too) Many people don’t know the true nature of their interactions with other people (living). Everyone has their own variety of oddities, though in a highly stressful environment it will behoove you to NOT be a nuisance to your fellow humans. IOW – Keep it together. That's right Eric, KEEP YOUR S%#T TOGETHER! The zombie apocalypse is no time to wig out and be a burden on your already jittery cohorts; otherwise you’ll be on the receiving end of some uncompromising WUP-ASS. UPDATE: Here's an alternate list of "10 Life Lessons The Walking Dead teaches us" by WHATCULTURE.com published December 2013. I think we only share (sort of) 2 lessons, though theirs carries slightly different emphasis on both, see if you can spot which ones I'm referring to... News:
Apart from the TV show, here's my two favourite Zombie films: 28 Days Later and Shawn of the Dead. The former's movie poster was creepy so I chickened out and added two screenshots. 28 Days Later just BTW, was directed by Danny Boyle and also starred current Bond girl Noamie Harris and Brendan (aka Braveheart's Hamish) Gleeson. FYI 2013 has a couple of zombie films on the way, namely the big budget Brad Pitt vs the world "World War Z", then there's the comedy Warm Bodies - which looks at things from the perspective of a zombie... this one actually looks like fun. Jury's still out on World War Z though because they chose to use CGI zombies; I'm not sure what your take is on this but if memory serves, I am Legend didn't fare too well with faux zombies, a decent film, but it kind of detracts from the overall experience, distancing one from the perceived threat - because we can all see its fake... In my opinion. South Africa today: the state of the nation The Daily Maverick online Sometime late last year I wrote a short piece on South Africa and my (shared with countless other citizens) frustrations with the government (whom I did not vote for), bickering politicians and every other ill in this country - (the piece was inspired by the Marakana massacre). I felt compelled to write another piece. As the rape and thence murder of Anene Booysens continues to illicit a varied reaction across SA and the world, the deeper issue of the culture of violence permeating in SA has taken center stage . There are so many problems, so I’ll dive right on top of one of the biggest; though to be honest, no one could really change this in a substantial way – some problems take time to sort out, and some pain will only become manageable with even more time, the scars though, will remain, for a very very long time… I speak of Apartheid of course, and the fact that the nation of the New South Africa was born out of this heinous and evil construct. The nation which emerged was fraught with problems, but equally so, alive with possibility (to use a marketing catch phrase) and boundless potential. With such a fractured and divisive past, our subsequent number one enemy has always been ourselves. We know what we can achieve, and have achieved, but division persists with too many corrupt officials/government members, and an inactive public. However, everything I’m saying, and can and want to say, has already been said, so I’ll throw in some quotes here This is from a recent article on the Daily Maverick online newspaper: “We don’t know to what extent the frustration of young and old males, at their wits end in a society that has discarded them, where they have no jobs and women tend to get things quicker exacerbates the situation. That is not a cause, but could be an underlying issue behind incidence of sexual violence.” Link to full article here. "Cooper" referenced and quoted above is a doctor and psychiatrist. Of all the varied cultures we have in South Africa, the one we’re tending to cultivate and nurture the most in this near twenty year democracy, is violence. Here, where societal inequality is unparalleled (just the other day I watched a magazine program, showing off the a beautiful palatial mansion with sea views, a swimming pool and an entertainment deck – for the kids to entertain their friends with table tennis or snooker etc… meanwhile a few kilometers away, there are people who don’t even have a toilet in their own tiny house), dividing the country into the “have” and “have not’s”. As one local white comedian/ventriloquist put it “I grew up with the ‘we hate apartheid, but we benefited from it’ group”… the current democratically elected government has seemingly just left its people to fend for themselves – “If you want wealth, go get it”. This mentality, of every man for himself, has perpetuated from government down throughout South Africa, where we only seem to galvanize when our national sports team takes the field. There’s a lot of angst, frustration, unresolved anger, hurt and passion brewing beneath the surface, issues that weren’t dealt with in the Truth and reconciliation Commission (which should not have ended so soon) for example. Most uneducated black people (a result of every SA gov.) are too quick to haul out the race card whenever something goes against them, and most white people are too afraid/ashamed to talk about the past, and pain and suffering they know little of. I don’t know what it’s like to be forced from my home under an oppressive government and dangerous security police as I’ve grown up in a sheltered environment, mostly in the new South Africa, but older generations of my family can speak of such experiences – and that’s just one aspect… We’ve come out of an evil regime, and simply tried to live normally, act as we usually would if there was never an apartheid to speak of, but the scar on the nation as a whole is too deep to ignore. Plainly put, there’s very little dialogue between portions of society, a place or moment where one or many can vent their concerns and frustrations. So everyone seems to talk amongst friends, or keep their thoughts to themselves. I finished compiling and writing this article shortly after an introspective stroll down the Sea point promenade. Sitting there on a bench watching ships disappear and emerge from the mist off shore, looking down into the deep blue of the Atlantic, feeling the refreshing breeze which took the sting out of a hot day… What we see is nothing new; pain is pain, the world keeps turning and simple things will always be made to look complicated. Tides will continue to ebb and flow, and we will struggle on, always finding ourselves as our own worst foe.
The violence which has become common place in SA, and which for so many abroad is synonymous with us, is perhaps the civil war we should have had but didn’t. It was a miracle that we averted war – a poster for peace and reconciliation – but the same tools we carried in anticipation for conflict and survival, we now use on ourselves, frothing up in various forms, from drug and alcohol abuse to violence against our fellow men and women, compounded further by corruption, poverty, AIDS, all forms of crime, a lack of education, and thence morals and ethics - it's a different, passive kind of civil war. It's always amazing to me, just a few days ago my family played host to some friends from Switzerland, and their impression, along with countless others who've visited our shores, was that South African's are a warm and loving people, always ready to accommodate... so, when we put our best foot forward we can be example's for the world, but at the same time, our internal conflict can be the shame of the world - or at least one example of it... During the last days of apartheid, so many people prayed for a peaceful end, the country was a nervous hive of tension and prayer,as most sought God's guidance in our most trying time... how many though continued, and are still praying for the wellbeing of the nation? Wallpaper from cyberdyne-systems.fr article by Steven Benjamin (2012) When Terminator was released in the mid-eighties, it was hailed and would later prove to be a trend setting film, re-establishing the thought process of science fiction films. A key element in it's success, was the plausibility, or perceived plausibility of some of the events. It wasn’t that people thought “Robots from the future will send terminators back in time to kill off our future resistance fighter leaders, effectively winning the war before it begins”, but everyone recognized the distinct possibility that sometime in the future, if technology continued on the progressive path it was, and still is on, artificial intelligence and ‘robots’, could bite back eventually. In other words, it wasn’t that difficult to connect the proverbial dots, much like the thought provoking film ‘Children of Men’ – chronicling a near future wherein women are unable to give birth – an occurrence that has been noted and experienced in various areas for a variety of different reasons. So, how close are we to developing a system that mirrors that of the fictional ‘SkyNet’ or ‘Cyberdyne Systems’? The truth is, we’re not that far off… Tesla book cover. The first thing that might come to mind when you hear “Killer Robots”, is most likely Drones, aka UAV’s (Unmanned aerial vehicles), scout machines, drone boats etc. which are developed and used by several countries including the USA, Israel, China, Russia, Germany, et al. Basically very large remote controlled airplanes in military use. Nicola Tesla (the man/genius who gave us the AC motor, neon lights and the remote control, among many other inventions) spoke of unmanned aerial fleets as early as 1915, so the idea is anything but new. Killer Robots though, are something quite different. Whereas Drones always have a person operating it via satellite from some military base, ‘Killer Robots’ are autonomous – meaning there is little or no human involvement when the machine does inevitably pull the trigger. The Iron Dome, Israel’s missile defense system is one such machine/program which operates autonomously, ‘sensing’ incoming rocket fire and relaying messages to operators (human) who then take action. Many human and civil rights watches have led inquiries and protests of such weapon use, calling for greater care and conducting further intensive investigations, stating that in a few decades, the global military scene could be largely autonomous… And how safe would we all feel then? Here's a look at some, albeit crude looking, robots from DARPA - think of them as today's version of SkyNet... I suggest you Google DARPA on look for their videos on youtube, such as the Big Dog, humanoids and the Sand Flee (an small autonomous robots that can jump onto rooftops or scale fences)... Special Forces on tumblr This is simply natural progression. Military's have sought and trained the veritable perfect soldiers, legions of Special Forces, then they sought to create ideal weapons to kill with minimum risk to human life (on the side of the ones doing the killing anyway)… meaning the highly contested chess match of the world’s super powers can now make their moves and issue their action orders – to be carried out almost instantaneously… And that, without even the touch of a button, because ‘autonomous’ means the machines will pre-empt the decision, practically eliminating the human power game and guidance. Effectively this will not only redefine war, but it will redefine what constitutes an act of war, infringing on the rules of engagement, and removing much of the element of accountability in the inevitable transgression of the parameters of said war. - “If you have an autonomous robot then it’s going to make decisions who to kill, when to kill and where to kill them. The scary thing is that the reason this has to happen is because of mission complexity and also so that when there’s a problem with communications you can send a robot in with no communication and it will decide who to kill, and that is really worrying to me.” – Noel Sharkey (2008) – Prof. of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics at the University of Sheffield. Many, if not all of the world’s super powers have committed war crimes, including the very initial (catalyst) act of war itself – Vietnam, Iraq… yet they’ve gone unpunished and largely unnoticed by an uninformed or misinformed public. So how much can the powers-that-be get away with in the future… and what happens when that power is taken from them by the very things they created… It could be called the ‘Frankenstein complex’… Man, we’ve always been our own worst enemy. It’s not all doom and gloom though. Autonomous Robots have also been deployed in disaster relief efforts, and let’s not forget bomb disposal robots. DARPA (the USA’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) is often associated with such projects. Many robots are developed with humble and often good intentions, but governments more often than not take those designs, concepts and prototypes and inevitably weaponize them. From humble beginnings, SkyNet was born… Welcome to the bizarre, and the creepy of modern robotics, and think to yourself; if this is what they publicise, what they let us know about, what don’t we know, and what the heck is already in use today? In any event, however crude these 'bots may look, give them 10/15 years... “We build but to tear down. Most of our work and resource is squandered. Our onward march is marked by devastation. Everywhere there is an appalling loss of time, effort and life. A cheerless view, but true.” - Nikola Tesla For a list of 10 inventions by Nikola Tesla, click here Amendment (20/12/2012): Skynet does exist... ... and by that very name too! It is in actual fact a series, or "family", of satellites, the first of which, Skynet 1 was launched in 1969 (the series, which was last updated, or shall I say the youngest addition was welcomed to the family just a few days ago with the launch of Skynet 5 - *report TBC) - predating the fictional Terminator version by a decade and a half. FYI, the Brits and NATO 'owns' the family... Of course we all know about satellites and the technology they possess - being able to look into your backyard, powerful enough to detect the color of your eyes etc... and that actual privacy is a remnant idea of the past - it is amazing however, just how powerless we are to this encroachment. This is the type of information most people know about without actually truly knowing about it, though it was highlighted for me quite recently, and quite plainly, by a highly qualified industry insider, opening my eyes a bit wider to the devious ways of 'Big Brother'. Predictions are widely set at 2060 - the time whereabouts the existence of a Technological singularity will emerge (a self aware AI supercomputer) - though I do have my own opinions and misgivings about this - beyond that date, experts believe the future to be, well, 'an unpredictable crapshoot' (my words)... In man's continuous attempts to create an independent artificially intelligent entity, I keep asking myself "Why? For what purpose?" and "to what end?" A while back my sister and I concocted a pretty lavish story set in some fantastical Science fictional world (what sci-fi story isn't?). Over the next few months we actually fleshed it out quite nicely... but, as is a habit of mine, before I delve headlong into something, I feel compelled to test the waters first. So this story came about as I undertook a veritable dip of my toes into the delightful cesspool that is, or can often be, the genre of science fiction. The main character of this story, who ironically doesn't talk (because he can't, he's catatonic) plays a significant role in the story we thought up; all I did though, was to jump ahead further into the future by a few decades... to see what may have become of him... * Sleeping dogs of war californica.wordpress.com by Steven Benjamin (2012) “Well, what have they got for us today?” “Oh, nothing new I fear; done this procedure many times.” “Really? One would think after all these centuries they’d have come up with a more efficient method. OH, but wait, we have… and yet, mine eyes do not deceive. You seem to labor still at the wheel of the archaic.” “Oh yes indeed, they have, many different procedures in fact, but each for different use.” “So, why this method for this specimen?” “Because he’s old. We’ve found that, apart from the sentimental value, retaining the methods that worked over the years yields better, or shall we say smoother results.” He paused, mid thought, “It makes progression seamless. Plus, in science, there are many examples where continuity and cohesion is called for.” “Mm. It’s still very crude though.” “Well yes, but we’re still leagues ahead of our predecessors. Xenos past used to use very elementary tools, and of course the procedure, as well as the results, was infinitely less refined.” “I heard, or actually read, that they had a very different name for it too. I forget it though.” “Oh yes…” his eyes focused, through the thin glass compound of the eye visor, at the intricately delicate job at hand. “Very different indeed.” He whispered, “And equally as unrefined. That’s why I prefer mine. Markedly more tactful,” “I thought it was a just a nickname until I heard a few stewards referring to it as such. Have you been spreading the word?” “Ha. No. It appears genius rubs off. Although that is something of a misnomer; if genius – in this case denoted as a noun – rubbed off, implying that it can thence be shed, or lost, the perceived intelligence would be diminished within the so-called genius – in this instance myself - and gained by the receiver – in this case being the stewards. Alas, it is something we have yet to perfect,” he paused again, thinking… “strange that…” “What?” Reems continued. “That we’ve apparently failed in the quest to develop an effective device for the procedure of intelligence transference.” “Oh. How did you come to that name though?” “Aah, it was bestowed upon me by my fellow …” “No. I mean this procedure: re-“ “Redressing, yes, that is mine. It’s simple really. Like putting on a new suit – getting dressed. He – or rather we – are simply giving him a new suit. For each role he plays he acts different, thinks different and usually wears something different. Hence: Redressing.” read more HERE... In the thorns and the cross-hairs: Liberation movements – strange thing about them – labelled outlaws, terrorists, revolutionaries, enemies of the state…. Ideals change, men change, so do politics and thence, perhaps most of all, people… people are the most fickle. “I choose God before man” – Rev. Beyers Naude People are complex, forever in a struggle to find out who we are, what we’re here for. And so now, in the modern quest for globalization – although it has been an idea for quite some time now, since the inception of colonialism – making the world one country, seeking integration, unity, solidarity, love and all that good stuff, in a world getting ever ‘smaller’ – are we not discarding ourselves? We constantly (without reward) seem to be seeking answers in each other. I made an earlier post about heritage, and remembering where we all came from; to not discard our past and to preserve our culture, yet this means to oppose the concept on globalization on some level. Of course a part of the concept of the global village is to accept each and all equally, flaws and imperfections included, and unite under the banner of humanity. However, as is very easy to surmise and gather when looking at the world today; things are becoming ever more superficial, run by capitalistic ideas and motives. Thankfully, certainly from my perspective, the larger portion of society is waking up to see that ideals are not as black and white as they assumed it was – there was never the simple ‘good guy bad guy’ complex in world politics – we were just led to side with certain nations over others, when in fact guilt can be laid equally on all sides. Propaganda. Humanity. Opinion. Belief. Strange hey? Although it is our differences that make us unique – through all the beauty – it is those same differences that has been the cause for so much conflict. Many would support the idea of maintaining traditions – the good ones at least – to retain some notes of cultures from all corners of the globe, for it is that which weaves such a colorful and diverse tapestry. As we move headlong and with gaining momentum into an uncertain future, we should always reflect, remember, pause and breathe new and perhaps better life into one of the few certainties of this life – our past. To briefly shed the complexities and distractions of today. I had such a moment a few weeks back while visiting Freedom Park in Pretoria. The center piece of the park is the wall of names (S'khumbuto - meaning, among other things "place of remembrance") with all those who died in the eight major conflicts that shaped the nation, with particular emphasis on honoring those who died in the name of peace, human rights and the freedom and liberation of South Africa. Those conflicts are:
In total, up until 1994, the nation of South Africa had been at war for over 500 years. However, it’s not just about recognizing those souls, but also laying them to rest. Something which should be mimicked in every country, in some way, is the concept of Isivivane (derived from the word “viva” – in this instance carrying the meaning of “commitment to solidarity”, “unity of purpose” and “coming together”) – the place of healing and rest. This is the symbolic burial ground for all those who died. Isivivane is crucial to Freedom park, built to enhance awareness and inspire commemoration. Arriving at the site, one is required to remove your shoes as a sign of respect. This was also the site where a host of religious leaders held ceremonies and rituals to lay to rest those fallen heroes. No matter your belief, it is hard not to be moved by this experience which is concluded (after receiving an in depth explanation as to the relevance and meaning of the surrounds) by washing your hands and face in a rock pool of fresh water. Everything here holds some meaning; even the type of trees planted, and the method for entering and exiting (through separate pathways). The actual burial ground – some would liken it to the tombstone of the site – is the ring of boulders. In addition to the two boulders denoting National government and the International community, there are 9 other boulders from the 9 provinces in South Africa, all with Historical significance. For example, the boulder from the Limpopo province is from a site once ruled by one of the earliest kingdoms on the sub-continent who traded gold with India and Egypt. The boulder from the Western Cape is from the Table Mountain range – one of the oldest mountains in the world. The biggest rock is from Mpumalanga province, a piece of green Verdite from the recorded 3.5 million year old Barberton Green-stone belt (yes, one side of the rock really does have a green hue to it). If you ever get the chance, I recommend visiting this rich place, to get away from our usual everyday ebb and flow. For those unable to visit the park, feel free to visit the website at Freedom Park.
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[Banner illustration by Joel Kanar]
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