Interstellar Warfare

A look at the future of warfare in the void between the stars. Today we will examine the concepts from science fiction of how such conflicts might occur and see how realistic they are under known science.
Check out the companion videos with Legion Tech studios:
Full Playlist: • Worldbuilding in Scien...
1 - Worldbuilding in Scifi: • Worldbuilding in Scien...
2 - Character & Roleplaying: • Character & Roleplayin...
3 - Ship Design in Hades 9: • Ship Development in HA...
4 - In the Beginning: • In the Beginning
HADES 9 Website:
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Cover Art by Jakub Grygier: www.artstation...
Script Editors:
Editors
Darius Said
Edward Nardella
Keith Blockus
Mark Warburton
Matthew Acker
Graphics Team:
Edward Nardella
Jeremy Jozwik
Jarred Eagley
Justin Dixon
Jeremy Jozwik
Katie Byrne
Kris Holland of Mafic Stufios: www.maficstudios.com
Luuk Warringa
Mihail Yordanov
Murat Mamkegh
Nick Talmers Nieuwoudt
Pierre Demet
Sergio Botero: www.artstation...
Stefan Blandin
Music Supervisor
Luca De Rosa
Brandon Liew, “Into the Storm”
Markus Junnikkala, “Plotting A Course”
Ross Bugden, “Unstoppable”
Evan King, “Enchiridion: Singularity”
Sergey Cheremisinov, “Night Snowfall”
Sergey Cheremisinov,“Phoenix”
Kai Engel, “Endless Story About Sun and Moon”
Kai Engel, “Periculum”
Miguel Johnson, “Revelation”
Dan Mcleod, “Alpha Protocol”
Dan Mcleod, “Lucky 13”

[@isaacarthurSFIA]

Okay, 5 videos today but this is the only one on this channel, here are the others: Check out the companion videos with Legion Tech studios: Full Playlist: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqO4p6eanJKAoZI 1 - Worldbuilding in Scifi: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqO4p6eanJKAoZI 2 - Character & Roleplaying: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGnTenRor5d4kNU 3 - Ship Design in Hades 9: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmGmlaKpp8SYf6M 4 - In the Beginning: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXnUc4ukpddkoqs HADES 9 Website: hades9.com

[@SkepticalZack]

Isaac Arthur awesome!

[@Giganfan2k1]

Isaac Arthur needed this.

[@joanmasdeu4600]

Isaac Arthur keep on with the good work

[@GnomiMoody]

For your teleportation video, you might want to check out this article. www.brainpreservation.org/content-2/killed-bad-philosophy/

[@christosvoskresye]

How about sending my "AI duplicate" instead of me?

[@skrv8588]

"I don't really know what I'm talking about, but odds are no one else does either." I nominate this line for best statement of 2018.

[@Rattlesnakesam]

It's my motto, especially at work 😂

[@LD-Orbs]

Odd, that truly smart men like Arthur know what they don't know. Paradox!

[@alpha007org]

As Alpha Zero Zero Seven Representative I second that. Motto placed in consideration.

[@jgroth3906]

I was about to say that.

[@ShaunRF]

This needs to be on a t-shirt.

[@berniesanders4966]

*'I wouldn't like our odds even if they landed one ship with a single dude that walked out naked with a sharp stick'* Well that's a nice mental image. Thank you for that Isaac.

[@pflernak]

Of course the ship is still there. Otherwise drop a nuke on him, do it NOW!

[@zawsrdtygbhjimokpl6998]

@@pflernak he'd roll on the ground, parrying it

[@johnisdead]

Land the dark souls guy

[@Plamkton]

Hes a space wizard

[@darienevans6229]

you were in the military and are very knowledgeable about science. you sound like you belong in Starfleet.

[@BlackEpyon]

Ignoring the politics of warfare, I just like that his CO decided to give the new toys to the smart guy first, knowing that the smart guy would be able to figure them out more easily.

[@LD-Orbs]

*nods* Just a civilian myself, but Good Leadership is Good Leadership.

[@oakwhelie]

Space force needs him

[@My-Opinion-Doesnt-Matter]

You mean Space Force ^^

[@peterfu6213]

who says he isn't?

[@Horesmi]

The awkward moment when you fire a Nicoll-dyson beam after you signed the peace treaty.

[@isaacarthurSFIA]

Yeah time lag makes cease fires awkward, of course we had that happen a lot in the past too

[@Bugsey35]

Like the Battle of New Orleans. Envoy was heading back from England with a signed Peace Treaty when it happened. Side note: Issac; My expertise in in Infantry and Artillery (sounds like a 13F).

[@rhorynotmylastname7781]

@@isaacarthurSFIA I mean that is accurate interstellar warfare (assuming they don't have ftl spaceflight) they would have to have a policy like: don't fire the extinction laser until after the war has gone on for 500 years

[@entropyzero5588]

To add to the awkwardness it might actually be impossible to determine which occurred first - the firing of the laser or the signing of the peace treaty - once you begin to take into account the weirdness that is the relativity of simultaneity.

[@outsider344]

30 min long video "This won't be one of our longer videos" I love this channel

[@musaran2]

Compare this to TV where only 20% of this content (dumbed down) is spread over 1h (of which a quarter is ads). My figures might be 10 years off, from when I stopped watching TV.

[@stevenhetzel6483]

I still got a dwink of dooce and a snakk

[@outsider344]

@@stevenhetzel6483 not cool man

[@adamthethird4753]

One thing that always happens when I watch your videos...my mind stretches and I have new things to think about. In short, Inspirational!

[@emreyurtseven23]

Wow Isaac, when I subscribed to your channel way back, you had somewhere around 10k subs. As a physicist/engineer who loves sci-fi, I love this channel as if it's my own and it makes me so happy to see that number grow each day. Keep it up! Also a shout out to people who enjoy this kind of content in an age full of bullshit, the world needs more people like you.

[@isaacarthurSFIA]

Thanks Emre!

[@Elmithian]

Emre Yurtseven As a student in mechanical&electric engineering I couldn't agree more!

[@chrisr2368]

I think the launch of Falcon heavy really starts to bring us on this journey albeit slower than like-minded folks here would want! Starfleet Earth civilisation is a long distance away but we are on the road...

[@dlt074]

“Try not to lose while winning” BEST rule #1 ever!

[@PelenTan]

Ahhhh... Arthursday. Hey. Maybe we should get a petition going to change the name of this day of the week.

[@george8toes]

As a Greek, I am impressed by your use of the term "Pyrrhic victory". Please let me expand on it, by adding the term's origins with a copy/paste from Wikipedia: "Pyrrhic victory is named after king Pyrrhus of Epirus, whose army suffered irreplaceable casualties in defeating the Romans at the Battle of Heraclea in 280 BC and the Battle of Asculum in 279 BC, during the Pyrrhic War."

[@isaacarthurSFIA]

Amusingly the game mentioned in the episode is focused thematically on aiming for a sort of greco-cyberpunk style, which might have made me think of it, but I've also got a fondness for history and the Diadochi and Epigoni are one of the ones I've always found particularly fascinating. Irritatingly Greece is one of the few European countries I didn't get a chance to visit while I was stationed in Germany.

[@yert527]

Where were you stationed? I just got done being stationed in Germany.

[@CrimeGaim]

george8toes its always good when you see a greek whos knows Illyrian history

[@shampaka5059]

yert527 probably patch

[@isaacarthurSFIA]

Giessen, north of Frankfurt, you?

[@gabefimbres]

every time i watch one of these videos its like my head just gets filled with fuel for thought

[@brianmessemer2973]

YES! Highly inspiring and thought-provoking content!

[@vipondiu]

Wow, that was even better than I expected, and the bar on SFIA is really, really high. You made Thursdays definetely my favourite day of the week. Best Wishes Isaac!

[@LucaDR8]

Hi, I'm the music manager for the channel. I'd like to hear your feedback guys. Let me know what you think about the songs and such.

[@1Dropboys]

Luca De Rosa always sounds great and I've never heard it make Isaac hard to hear. Well done :3

[@pansepot1490]

Luca De Rosa, the soundtrack is awesome. I never even notice it. I mean, it's when the music/sound is particularly loud or bad or inappropriate that it sticks out like a sore thumb. When it's perfect it just blends seamlessly with the content and one just is amazed at how good the whole is. Keep up the good work.👍 👍 👍

[@legiontech3119]

I mentioned this to Isaac already but I think your work on this episode was the best yet. Isaac did not ask for my feedback I noticed independently how great the music was and brought it up to him.

[@LucaDR8]

Legion Tech thanks everyone for the kind words :)

[@deekdouglas3055]

totally agree, the soundtrack draws you in to the story Isaac is telling really well. You don't even know it's happening but suddenly find yourself filled with a sense of wonder. Excellent work to support the journey and not overpower it. Nice comments guys :)

[@ajotti9037]

My Thursdays breakfast is made many orders of magnitude better with a video from Arthur Issac!

[@eclipseslayer98]

I had a relatively mundane breakfast, but Isaac Arthur's video did manage to illuminate my day.

[@joejohns3543]

@16:59 "You see Killbots have a preset kill limit, knowing their weakness, I sent wave after wave of my own men at them. Until they reach their limit and shut down." -Zapp Brannigan

[@Alexis-hx3yd]

So it sounds like relativistic warfare is very much like two knights jousting, only a short time available to hit each other with much longer passing and turning around times.

[@R.Instro]

In the old Star Trek role playing games, ship-to-ship battles were assumed to be taking place at exactly the same Warp factor AND vector, precisely because any significant difference in speeds would almost instantly render the combatants out of range of one another even using 23rd Century weaponry. Changing Warp speeds in that universe was essentially code for "abandoning the battlefield" to your opponent. ^_^

[@crookydan]

I love how the number one rule of warfare reference is still carrying on after all these videos

[@MalcadorTheSigilite]

Warhammer 40,000 I see you're a man of taste.

[@silvadossantos6803]

A astartes as well

[@Taco1011]

Definitely one of the most fascinating, longer form content creators on KZbin. Thanks Isaac for all that you do.

[@brianmessemer2973]

Dear Mr. Arthur - I discovered your channel via Curious Droid, whose outstanding channel I only stumbled upon several weeks ago. My science itch, having been building up ever since seeing that oh-so-wonderful film Interstellar in 2014, is finally being scratched so satisfyingly. Curious Droid's channel, and now your channel (I've seen just two UNBELIEVABLY AMAZING vids of yours so far) are just such an absolutely essential service to the world. I am a teacher and a musician (choir director, music theory teacher) and so I deal daily in the realm of the arts - but am a passionate amateur of science (shouldn't all human beings be?) and I have been missing the ability to exercise my mind in a scientific manner. Until recently. I am so glad to have stumbled upon Droid, and I'm so glad I watched your collaboration video with him. WONDERFUL. I am so thrilled to have found your channel, sir. Thank you for making such a wonderful channel. And since so many people in the comments feel the need to talk about it - my wife, not I, has a linguistics degree but I osmosed that knowledge while she was in school - I am not bothered in the least by the rhotacistic component of your speech. I find the labialized [ʋ] (labiodental approximant) in place of rhotic [r] produces quite a lovely variety sounding of English in its own right. Having spent years living in a country (Japan) where some of the most brilliant, humble, profound people on this earth spoke to me without being able to pronounce their [r] according to American English expectations, one learns not to judge speakers of any language merely by their ability to achieve a phonetic sound, but instead to appreciate the miraculous science of language in the first place.

[@johncampbell6121]

Mr. Arthur you are truly amazing! You have an ability to make the most complex of subject matter understandible. I don't know how you are able to pump out the quantity of quality material that you do. Thank you!

[@paulwalsh2344]

5 VIDEOS ON ONE DAY ! ? ! Isaac, you spoil us.

[@hipser]

Hey Issac, have you read all the Culture novels? There's a particularly amazing engagement described in Surface Detail that I always reflect on when thinking about interstellar warfare. My favorite detail is a ship having to inject foam into every cavity of a human passenger's body and encase them in special armor for them to survive being on a ship that is engaged in battle, what with the massive G-forces. The ship gleefully displays the battle's events to the passenger, only to reveal that she is not watching real time but an ultra-slowed down version of of events that took a couple of seconds. It's in Chapter 24 The ship, Falling Outside The Normal Moral Constraints, appears to the passenger afterwards as its avatar floating in front of her in a chair, arms behind his neck and says: "There you go. You’ve just seen one of the most significant military engagements of modern times, doll; lamentably but fascinatingly one-sided though it turned out to be. Strongly suspect they just weren’t giving their ship Minds full tactical authority. Demeisen shook his head, frowned. ∼Amateurs. He shrugged. ∼Oh well. Hopefully not the start of an actual proper all-out war between the Culture and our over-cute tribute civ - perish that thoughtlet - but they did shoot first, and it was with what they assumed would be full lethal force, so I was entirely within my rights to waste the miserable trigger-happy fuckers to a soul, without mercy. He sighed. ∼Though I am obviously anticipating the inevitable board of inquiry and I do slightly worry about being ticked off for being just a tad over-enthusiastic. He sighed again, sounding happier this time. ∼Still. Abominator class; we have a reputation to protect. Fuck me, the others are going to be so jealous!"

[@NorwindIgor]

I like listening to your videos while flying my ship in Elite:Dangerous. They are literally perfect.

[@joebainter]

Quote of the day "I don't really know what I'm talking about here but odds are nobody else does either!" ;)

[@deekdouglas3055]

that was insanely good :D

[@lettuceprime4922]

Secret to being a pioneer.

[@KuraIthys]

Can't fault him for honesty. XD

[@grapy83]

Yes I loved that statement too, in a matter of fact manner. :)

[@mididoctors]

to me, interstellar warfare is a real Fermi paradox issue. can you imagine the carnage one could see from a distance if this hoccum actually took place?

[@stardolphin2]

Unless they're triggering novas, it won't be all that obvious at multiple light-year distances... After all, energy that isn't delivered pretty much on-axis (roughly like a gamma ray burst, where we estimate that we see only 20% of the totality, because their axes happen to be pointed somewhere other than at us), and scatters enough that distant side observers see much of anything, is energy that's being wasted. You probably want as little of that to happen as possible.

[@beachcomberbob3496]

For ship against ship engagements, try reading Jack Campbell's 'Lost Fleet' series of books. Relativistic speeds, kinetic weapons and computer controlled firing solutions. The best 'realistic' descriptions I've ever read.

[@havenmirabella3003]

Thank you so much for your service to this country. The fact that you left a Ph.D. program to protect and serve just speaks to your moral strength of character. I have so much respect for you!

[@hamentaschen]

Very well said. I could not agree more!

[@ixian_technocrat]

What did he protect in a third world country, in a desert, across an ocean and a sea? The value of the Petrodollar? Well, I guess that counts in a way...

[@hamentaschen]

@Ixian If you cannot understand the sacrifice Mr. Arthur has made then you are either not an American, Un-American or simply not patriotic. A soldier is not responsible for the politics of his country. He risked his life for our nation instead of doing something for himself. He is a hero, as are all those who serve. Please show some respect for him here, this is HIS channel after all. And he is still giving of himself. We are all here to be entertained, to learn and to grow intellectually from Mr. Arthur. And as far as I know he has asked nothing from you or anyone else for this privilege.

[@ixian_technocrat]

+Black Dog I can't believe I have to say this, but weren't by the same logic the soldiers in the Wehrmacht heroes? They also weren't responsible for the politics of the Nazi party, but it was through them that the terror upon the French and the mass murder of Ukranians was carried on.

[@lettuceprime4922]

Black Dog - Hey, dude. I like Isaac, and I generally like living here, but _lay off it._ Isaac did something he believed in, but he didn't keep you safe. Iraq was a travesty and hellish projection of imperialism into a nation we did _so few_ favors to. I, personally, don't begrudge anyone joining the military because that's personal. The actions of that military absolutely fucking aren't, though, and everyone's right to complain about their military must be protected at literally any conceivable cost. You could say that soldiers join so hippies like us can bitch about them. In the 21st century so far, however, realistically, their choice to serve or not has absolutely no bearing on whether or not I'm free to bitch about them, nor does it change that this country is being a colossal dick on the world stage and does not impact my opinion of our armed forces in most foreign engagements. And for the love of _god_ don't call people Un-American. There's a word that means genuinely nothing.

[@DhruvaDevOnline]

OMFG !!!! This is gold! This is going to be one of my top subscriptions for sure! So glad I found this!!!!!!

[@blackmormon3555]

I always look forward to your knowledge filled videos.

[@paulwalsh2344]

And the far out concepts... based on reality. That's what amazes me. I have been exposed to far out concepts, but Isaac kinda fills in the roadmap to that, which is so fantastic.

[@robertbrown3064]

Dude, Isaac. I don't know you and you don't know me, but your content has provided me with hours of thought provoking entertainment. You consistently approach topics from new and logical points of view, and have taught me a ton of stuff. So thank you, sir. You are doing an excellent job.

[@isaacarthurSFIA]

Thanks Robert! I'm pretty sure anyone who watches a bunch of these does actually know me pretty well, I gather I'm about what folks expect from viewing them :)

[@hamentaschen]

I've been with you since 1.4k subs. Its SO awesome to see you in the couple hundred-thousands now. You and your channel are why the internet was created. If the internet brought me nothing else but Issac Arthur I would call the internet successful. Thank you and Happy Arthursday!! Now on to some Interstellar Warfare...

[@isaacarthurSFIA]

It really doesn't seem that long ago we were are 1.4k, but I guess it's been two years, seems both very recent and very long ago at the same time.

[@massimocole9689]

I know that feeling, it is bizarre

[@p0ptop]

*Finally* got thru your back catalogue two days ago. Absolutely awesome work that you've obviously put effort into. Im just a middle-aged guy who has had his fancy for space reignited recently, and stuff like this feeds it. Thank you for entertaining my imagination.

[@dinlobiscuit4611]

wow amazing video as usual for this channel , and look at you go Isaac ! when I subbed you were just nearing the 40k mark and now in no time at all 218k and rising !! says all one needs to know about quality of your content and the way in which you present it , well done , be a million before you know it . nice soft background music too.

[@Futube3k1]

dinlo biscuit above 400k youtube will sell arthur out

[@johnnybgoodeish]

Just had to give a thumbs up for the Leo Tolstoy reference right from the start! Please just continue what you are doing!

[@isaacarthurSFIA]

Thanks!

[@769270865]

Good moring! Happy Arthursday!

[@cyphercypher2331]

Hands down the best channel in the history of youtube. You and your videos are pure gold. Greetings from Finland!

[@cyphercypher2331]

I have watched tens of your videos and not even for a second have i been bored.

[@lexington476]

What about these ideas for motivations for Interstellar war in invading your Interstellar neighbor: Just because we can. We are bored. We are just mean that way.

[@086-01SW]

Thank you for serving.

[@Nethan2000]

"I wouldn't like our odds even if they just landed one ship with a single dude that walked out naked with a sharp stick" Predator reference? I don't know what the picture is supposed to represent otherwise.

[@jasonbrown2169]

I have just come across this series of videos and have found them very interesting. I am really enjoying the "#1 Rule of Warfare" running joke as well, haha!

[@ancorr24]

In the eucumenopolis episode you mentioned types of cities bigger then planet sized, could you please do a video on this, also this was a great video

[@isaacarthurSFIA]

I think we will at some point, but that's an example of where I think we'd need a lot of good grpahics to show the concept.

[@LD-Orbs]

Now I can hardly wait! *eager jumping up-and-down*

[@gatekeeper9985]

Hades 9 looks like something I would like, like a fleet version of EVE (hate the one ship at a time thing). Sign me up!

[@GScottChaosnaut]

Favorite moment of the week!

[@alexkennedy4990]

I wondered when the "first rule of warfare" would be mentioned. Only took you two minutes x'D

[@deekdouglas3055]

We recently had some snow here which basically brought the country to a stand still. On a bus journey today i couldn't help but think of your videos and how just a tiny bit of the suns power had melted it all away essentially transforming my whole world. From the concepts you cover it's humbling to realize just how small one person is but it's also encouraging to know just how big an impact one individual can make. Much love to you and yours, And to all our brothers and sisters serving there countries. Keep up the good work

[@rayanthonyarnaiz6485]

Huh, the time scales really does reflect what is said about warfare, 99% waiting and 1% terror. Waiting for decades to fight an engagement that only lasts milliseconds. Then wait for weeks to have another go if the first engagement was not decisive enough.I am of course operating on the assumption that there is still someone that is still in control. If only as a precaution to counter any unexpected situation that an A.I. my not have the flexibility or creativity to handle. There is also the passion aspect. To be willing to work for decades if not a century in service. After all, even if you won the campaign getting back to your home system is again time consuming. I honestly wonder how would the military and civilian culture form in response to this.

[@joshsmith-qi3ph]

I fell asleep listening to a KZbin video and one of yours was playing when I woke up. I love this channel. It has replaced watching Netflix/Amazon before bed.

[@gem3020]

I like these videos immediately as there is a 0% chance I will not be amazed

[@T42nk]

Comparing your voice to the older videos, even just from two months ago, it is very obvious how much your voice improved, especially the 'r's. I also notice that the rhoticism warning vanished.

[@TheNightquaker]

Grab a *D R I N K A N D A S N A C K*

[@DocErk]

I don't know how many hours of my life spend already watchjng your videos. Like someone else already sad: This Channel, is putting out more Content than the History Channel in 1 Year. Really love how this channel developed. This is so well deserved! Thanm you Arthur!

[@ErwinSchrodinger64]

Star Wars and Star Trek fans will need to know it's OK after watching. This is all.

[@Drzewacz888]

Honor Harrington!!! I'm glad you mentioned that book. It's awesome, i wish someday, someone will make a movie!

[@isaacarthurSFIA]

Realistically I could only see it working if it were a TV show on Netflix

[@Drzewacz888]

Maybe someone need to whisper that idea to them ;) Great videos btw.

[@Luka1180]

Could you make a video on alien species with different ethnicities, races, nationalities, whatever you want to call it. For instance, if one member of a species made contact with an English human, and the human learned their language, we might still have as much difficulty communicating with a different member as we did when we first member number 1, unless the two members share language roots perhaps. Some values might even be slightly different, or vastly! Depending on culture.

[@512TheWolf512]

the best kind of video for the 8th of march, a video about war!

[@jimsaintruth4248]

Didn't know you were in the army, that's pretty cool

[@chrisgaming9567]

So, according to wikipedia, the longest war in history lasted 774 years. If we take that as the maximum length of an interstellar conflict, and assume a fairly simple war progression (A declares war, B receives war declaration, B launches fleet, B's fleet arrives at A, space battles, peace treaty at A, news of peace treaty reaches B), the maximum distance between A and B can be expressed as 774=2d+(d/v), where v is the interstellar cruise velocity as a decimal of c. For example, if v=0.1c, 774=2d+(d/0.1) and thus d=64.5 light years. If v=0.5c, d=193.5 light years. If v=c, d=258 light years.

[@joperamod5760]

Which war?

[@chrisgaming9567]

I can't remember which one, but it was at the top of the list

[@TheGemedes]

got my coffee happy Arthursday everyone!

[@cdobeson]

I had no idea you served. Well done to you Sir and thank you both for your service and for proving a throughly interesting series. Thank you once again.

[@jesseward4115]

When ever I get around to finish my Sci-fi novel I plan to dedicate it you. You have really inspired me to wright hard Sci-fi. Thank you Isaac.

[@masterchief7301]

A warfare episode?, on my Birthday?, oh Isaac you didn't have to

[@thomas.02]

anything to please humanity's greatest one-man weapon of mass destruction :D

[@rngwrldngnr]

Master Chief happy birthday

[@spykezspykez7001]

"I don't know what I'm talking about here" +1 for honesty. Not sure most other people would admit this much! Still like to hear out your speculations! :)

[@boriscola4121]

I can see interstellar warfare mainly being launching guided projectiles at the other solar system, with actual fleet engagements only really being practical at slower, in solar system speeds, with interstellar space mainly serving as an obstacle to be crossed than the actual battleground.

[@aikendrum1518]

My favorite sci fi stories featuring extremely novel and interesting takes on interstellar war are: Ben Bova's "As on a Darling Plane", Frank Herbert's "Dune"" series especially prequels, and David Zindell's "Neverness" series. However its hard to beat the interstellar battles of giant bussard ram jet ships of Larry Niven's "Protector"

[@chromabotia]

An outstanding episode Isaac! I very much appreciate the sci-fi literary references that you provide - some of them I have not read, a real treat. Also, any episode is special that cites Larry Niven on "The Kizinti Lesson". Let me share a quote from Niven on the subject that I think is a beauty, "Despite their obvious superiority in technology, the Kzinti always attacked before they were properly prepared, impatient to sweep through systems for personal honor and the honor of the empire. The resistance from Earth should have been minimal and ineffective except that, historically speaking, humans are the most resourceful when they have nothing left to lose". Thanks Isaac, you have made Thursday a happy day!

[@fernandobernal6506]

good day mr. Arthur is good to see your again

[@VonDarkfaulker]

Good video...even though I cannot imagine a reason for intergalactic war. The multiverse seems big enough for everyone.

[@palfers1]

Happy Arthursday!

[@ebbingtime]

Guys, when it's a long video, get a drink and a snack. That's rule #1 of warfare.

[@rolovalespino]

This channel is amazing... 🤗🤗👍👍

[@thezone3946]

If it hasn't been said already Mr.Isacc (since I dont know what rank to refer to you as(sir even!?)) , THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE , as a Citizen of the United States I really do mean that from the bottom of my heart. Keep on doing what you love, I will continue to enjoy your amazing content. Carl Sagen and Isaac Asimov can be glad to know bright individuals carry in their legacy of entertainment with intrinsic educational value. This is a rarity in our modern age! God Bless! ~Christopher C.

[@rhuiah]

Great episode. While most fictional battles don't make sense if you think about them too much, sci-fi does have it worse in that regard. Fortunately the more important it is that we turn our brains off to enjoy something, the more pretty explosions there tend to be to help us do precisely that.

[@CatholicDragoon]

The tactics you described at minute 23 reminded me of mechanics from an RTS game

[@VoloMalVor]

I see Isaac, I hit like!

[@Giganfan2k1]

Bought headphones for today at work. Last week spoiled me. Had to rewatch the Alpha Centuari episode before this dropped.

[@wynfrithnichtwo8423]

“The Forever War” had that issue with regards to space warfare ship to ship. They would launch drones to attack, which moved at whatever % of C while their ships moved at whatever % of C. Engagements were distant.

[@chrise7180]

Could someone do an updated list of the 1st rules of warfare?

[@isaacarthurSFIA]

:) I'd probably have to ask the folks on the FB group to dig them all up, I've a ton in my head and no idea which ones I've stuck in a video

[@oneandonlybrookes7006]

Know ure enemy's weakness

[@UpperDarbyDetailing]

Weber's Honorverse is definitely an amazing and wonderful series.

[@TheExoplanetsChannel]

*I think 55 Cancri e (an exoplanet made of diamond) could trigger war :P*

[@TheExoplanetsChannel]

erik2000 exactly!

[@migkillerphantom]

erik2000 what the hell would you even do with it

[@migkillerphantom]

erik2000 what good is a whole planet's worth of diamond (in an appropriately sized gravity well) many light years away? What would you do with it? Why would anyone fight over it?

[@Dziki_z_Lasu]

1 kg of artificial diamonds for rings or nackles costs around 100000$ now, we can produce bigger nice cristals already. Diamond dust costs abaut 2 thousend. Why would you bother abaut something so cheep? For interstellar capable civ. diamonds will be cheep as glass.

[@asvarien]

At best it's a huge source of high quality abrasive media.

[@seankelly1291]

So much appreciation Isaac!

[@thegrumpydragon7601]

Can’t wait to see a million subscribers on your channel.

[@rodmcnew]

My go-to channel whenever I forget the first rule of war. Cheers Issac!

[@MrForgoneconclusion]

See: "Interstellar Warfare" Win Go to post 'thanks Isaac for making my weeks a little bit better' See: "Okay, 5 videos today" m8. You're a legend. Thank you.

[@jordanb5384]

I didnt know you served Isaac. Thank you!

[@thedoruk6324]

I think *biological weapons/enslaved drone species* could be very useful at interstellar/intergalactic warfare; kinda like the 'bomber/suicide bomber' space jockey concept of orijinal alien movie; and the black goo orbital bombing of alien covenant; a ship suddenly crashes/instantenously appears on a very major population center; immeaditely drops the bio-bombs/or suicide crushes into a 'important/cultural' building relases the bio-weapon or the bio-weaponised species and the Horde ravages the planet

[@Cyberwar101]

The DORUK most of the population would probably be on self contained habitats being the size of cities. Easy to quarantine, and likely would screen any visitors. Planets are not very efficient uses of resources. There may be planetary populations, but destroying them would amount to a terroristic strike, not a crippling blow.

[@serosona2322]

The DORUK Reminds me of floodgate from halo 3 where a flood infested ship crash lands on earth, and like cyberwar said, the outbreak was relatively easily contained

[@thedoruk6324]

Cold Moonlight Indeed; They might contain that idea from the Alien itself; since halo come much later

[@thedoruk6324]

Cyberwar101 True; but maybe works as a warning; as to say we've Got all of these mega-weapons; and we aren't afraid of Any necassary costs. That might made their enemies re-think

[@pauljs75]

I'm surprised there hasn't been some zombie plague movie that also happens to be about an alien invasion, since that seems like it'd make sense.

[@madscientistshusta]

I once read a book that said it would mostly be cubes unpiloted that spun on a 360 axis shooting lazers. All war ships would be unmanned because you would want it to be able to make right angle turns and spin 180 degrees instantly. All of which would kill a piolet.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Love the music.. When i get some better technology, I'll write you some as well. Great video...

[@utetrahemicon]

Future warriors will read/watch you as we do Sun Tzu. Wait... an "engine fart" causing a Kessler syndrome?

[@asvarien]

I don't understand this notion that a person who's mind is backed up somewhere doesn't need to fear death. From an individual's perspective, when they die they are dead and they stay dead. Just because a copy of them will wake up somewhere isn't very comforting in the face of permanent oblivion.

[@twirlipofthemists3201]

Sounds like you do understand it.

[@crazyahhkmed]

But knowing that they have the perfect successor to carry out their life and plans can provide some easement.

[@musaran2]

For the same reason you are not permanently scared of not being exactly the person you were a moment before. You would just miss the last few seconds to days of memories, as it happen with accidents.

[@chrstfer2452]

Another awesome edition of SFIA's Arthursday special! Thanks

[@HaLyGjQdTpReMnKmW2X]

Let's settle this war in the old manner. Your best fighter against my best. - Agamemnon

[@korygoodau2501]

Have you ever read The Lost Fleet book series by Jack Campbell? Best look at realistic space warfare ever!

[@edwardbell4928]

Another good book that explores the use of RKMs is "A Killing Star". In the book the opening salvo against Earth are RKMs that pretty much wipe out the surface of the planet.

[@starshipenterprises4356]

The first rule of combat... Hehe

[@JediNg135]

Thank you for another new first rule of warfare! :D

[@themistermister1931]

Again, i dislocated my thumb because i clicked so fast.

[@themistermister1931]

Also, thank you for your service, dude.

[@blib3786]

“That is, after all, the first rule of warfare” Hey wait a minute! Something seems familiar here, but I can’t quite put my finger on it...

[@jimthecheesecrumpet]

I just love the idea of an alien civilisation deploying a naked alien equivalent of even more OP John Wick/one punch man to go easy on us.