But no matter whether we are all in a still greater game, this one here before us is at a cruder grain than that which it models. Entire battles, and sometimes therefore wars, can hinge on a jammed gun, a failed battery, a single shell being dud or an individual soldier suddenly turning and running, or throwing himself on a grenade." Hyrlis shook his head. "That cannot be fully modelled, not reliably, not consistently. That you need to play out in reality, or the most detailed simulation you have available, which is effectively the same thing.
In the context of warfare and its complexities, the quote emphasizes the unpredictable nature of battle outcomes. It suggests that despite attempts to model military scenarios, there are too many variables and human actions that can change the tide of a conflict. An unexpected malfunction, such as a jammed gun or a soldier’s panic, can determine the success or failure of entire battles and wars.
Hyrlis argues that this unpredictability cannot be fully captured by simulations or theoretical models. Instead, real-life experiences and the chaos of actual combat provide insights that simulations cannot match, highlighting the limitations of analytical approaches in understanding the harsh realities of war.
