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Out of interest, if anyone knows: why "modern" warfare? Is this some kind of expression? The old school wars must have been worse for one's mental health, or no

Out of interest, if anyone knows: why "modern" warfare? Is this some kind of expression? The old school wars must have been worse for one's mental health, or not?

maxerickson 10y ago
In addition to the already mentioned explosives, modern helmets and medical care have increased the odds of survival. Dead soldiers don't have chronic health problems.
FeteCommuniste 10y ago
"Modern" in the context of the article means "after the invention and widespread use of explosives," which lead to the kind of physical brain injuries discussed in the article.
merpnderp 10y ago
I'm guessing they mean grenades, artillery, rockets....anything that 'thumps' the whole area, including the brain. Even the sustained concussion of a heavy machine gun might be a heavy enough vibration to cause some inflammation, although I'd hope DARPA had long ago tested that theory.
tyleraland 10y ago
Ancient warfare: anxiety as one anticipates impending war, which may be known months or years in advance (armies were slow), and very bloody melee combat which probably left survivors with PTSD. Pre-modern warfare: relatively few people lined up and shot each other to death from long distances. People on the front lines knew they were likely going to die. Modern warfare (WWI and beyond): constant artillery fire inflicts chronic and acute shell shock [1]. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shell_shock https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shell_shock
- dbcurtis 10y ago
  Except thar I recently read that some are thinking that PTSD is the result of concussion from being near explosions. PTSD may well be mechanically induced.
  - DenisM 10y ago
    It doesn't explain non-e plosives PTSD, such as procured by military drone operators. http://www.salon.com/2015/03/06/a_chilling_new_post_traumatic_stress_disorder_why_drone_pilots_are_quitting_in_record_numbers_partner/ http://www.salon.com/2015/03/06/a_chilling_new_post_traumati...
- specialist 10y ago
  IIRC, actual combat hours have increased, a lot. Soldiers were doing front line combat duty for a few weeks during WWII, for months during Vietnam, for years during Iraq. That duty will scramble your brain, sooner or later. With longer combat duty, it's becomes ever more likely.
riprowan 10y ago
It's at least as old as explosives. We used to call it "shell shock."

Out of interest, if anyone knows: why "modern" warfare? Is this some kind of expression? The old school wars must have been worse for one's mental health, or not?

maxerickson 10y ago

In addition to the already mentioned explosives, modern helmets and medical care have increased the odds of survival. Dead soldiers don't have chronic health problems.

FeteCommuniste 10y ago

"Modern" in the context of the article means "after the invention and widespread use of explosives," which lead to the kind of physical brain injuries discussed in the article.

merpnderp 10y ago

I'm guessing they mean grenades, artillery, rockets....anything that 'thumps' the whole area, including the brain. Even the sustained concussion of a heavy machine gun might be a heavy enough vibration to cause some inflammation, although I'd hope DARPA had long ago tested that theory.

tyleraland 10y ago

Ancient warfare: anxiety as one anticipates impending war, which may be known months or years in advance (armies were slow), and very bloody melee combat which probably left survivors with PTSD. Pre-modern warfare: relatively few people lined up and shot each other to death from long distances. People on the front lines knew they were likely going to die. Modern warfare (WWI and beyond): constant artillery fire inflicts chronic and acute shell shock [1]. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shell_shock https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shell_shock

dbcurtis 10y ago
Except thar I recently read that some are thinking that PTSD is the result of concussion from being near explosions. PTSD may well be mechanically induced.
- DenisM 10y ago
  It doesn't explain non-e plosives PTSD, such as procured by military drone operators. http://www.salon.com/2015/03/06/a_chilling_new_post_traumatic_stress_disorder_why_drone_pilots_are_quitting_in_record_numbers_partner/ http://www.salon.com/2015/03/06/a_chilling_new_post_traumati...
specialist 10y ago
IIRC, actual combat hours have increased, a lot. Soldiers were doing front line combat duty for a few weeks during WWII, for months during Vietnam, for years during Iraq. That duty will scramble your brain, sooner or later. With longer combat duty, it's becomes ever more likely.

riprowan 10y ago

It's at least as old as explosives. We used to call it "shell shock."