Tolkien, Technology, and... War - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Imladris · 05-12-2004, 09:55 AM

Esgallhugwen, a child can also use a sword, as well (I am using a movie called The Last Samurai for example, as well as the training of children for battle in the Middle-ages).

First of all, there is hand to hand to fighting in modern warfare still. We still need troops made of men, etc and they still fight face to face. Modern warfare has made it easier to kill people, but also it's not as if we can just flick a switch. We have to seriously think about it before we drop an atomic bomb on a nation. Wiping out an entire nation will have its effects, and we have to think long and hard about before we do that.

But, according to the quotes that Son of Númenor put on his post, Tolkien laments the huge loss of human life in war that is made so much easier now. He does not lament the lack of honour in war because there can still be honour even in modern day warfare. Even in World War II there was honour and I'm sure that there is still honour in war or else the government would quit giving out their medals and purple hearts.

On a semi off topic obervation, I do not believe that Tolkien realized the favour that modern warfare gives us. If a nation knows that another nation has the power to wipe out an entire nation, it will think long and hard before it precipates a huge war.

05-12-2004, 09:55 AM	#13
Imladris Tears of the Phoenix Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Putting dimes in the jukebox baby. Posts: 1,453	Esgallhugwen, a child can also use a sword, as well (I am using a movie called The Last Samurai for example, as well as the training of children for battle in the Middle-ages). First of all, there is hand to hand to fighting in modern warfare still. We still need troops made of men, etc and they still fight face to face. Modern warfare has made it easier to kill people, but also it's not as if we can just flick a switch. We have to seriously think about it before we drop an atomic bomb on a nation. Wiping out an entire nation will have its effects, and we have to think long and hard about before we do that. But, according to the quotes that Son of Númenor put on his post, Tolkien laments the huge loss of human life in war that is made so much easier now. He does not lament the lack of honour in war because there can still be honour even in modern day warfare. Even in World War II there was honour and I'm sure that there is still honour in war or else the government would quit giving out their medals and purple hearts. On a semi off topic obervation, I do not believe that Tolkien realized the favour that modern warfare gives us. If a nation knows that another nation has the power to wipe out an entire nation, it will think long and hard before it precipates a huge war.