Peter Singer, an award-winning author and thought leader on future warfare, discusses the concept of 'useful fiction.' He emphasizes how storytelling can simplify complex military strategies and technologies, making them more relatable and actionable. Singer shares insights on the importance of grounding narratives in reality and how they've been applied in projects for NATO and U.S. Special Operations Command. The conversation touches on resistance to change within military institutions and the role of logistics in modern warfare, all delivered with humor and depth.
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Ghost Fleet: A Useful Fiction Example
Peter Singer's Ghost Fleet novel blended nonfiction research with storytelling.
It aimed to communicate complex insights about future conflict and security.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Grounding Useful Fiction
Ground stories in reality, citing sources and adhering to feasibility.
Limit projections to one generation to avoid unrealistic speculation.
insights INSIGHT
Purpose-Driven Narratives
Useful fiction narratives can serve various purposes, from explanation to motivation.
Tailor the approach based on the source material and desired outcome.
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In this 2015 techno-thriller, P.W. Singer and August Cole explore a future war scenario where a post-communist China, aided by Russia, attacks the United States in the Pacific, leading to the occupation of the Hawaiian Islands. The novel highlights the reactivation of the US Navy's antiquated 'Ghost Fleet' and the rise of an insurgency by US military personnel and civilians against the Chinese occupiers. The story incorporates various advanced technologies such as electromagnetic railguns, swarm UAVs, and space-based weaponry, and includes over 400 endnotes to support its technological and geopolitical themes.
LikeWar
LikeWar
The Weaponization of Social Media
August Cole
P.W. Singer
LikeWar, by P.W. Singer, examines the intersection of social media, open-source information, and modern conflict. The book explores how these platforms are used to spread disinformation, influence public opinion, and wage information warfare. Singer analyzes the tactics employed by various actors, including governments and non-state groups, to manipulate narratives and shape perceptions of conflict. The book highlights the challenges of combating misinformation and the need for greater media literacy. It also explores the implications for national security and the future of warfare.
On war
Carl Von Clausewitz
Carl von Clausewitz's "On War" is a seminal work on military strategy, exploring the complex interplay of military, political, and social factors in warfare. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the nature of war as a dynamic and unpredictable phenomenon. The book delves into various aspects of military strategy, including the role of chance, the importance of morale, and the relationship between war and politics. Its enduring influence is evident in its continued relevance to military studies, international relations, and strategic thinking. It remains a cornerstone of military theory.
In this episode of the Revolution Military Affairs Podcast, we sit down with Peter Singer, renowned author of Ghost Fleet and LikeWar, and a thought leader in exploring the future of war and security. Peter discusses "useful fiction," a powerful method blending rigorous nonfiction analysis with storytelling to communicate complex insights about future conflict and competition. By creating engaging narratives, useful fiction transforms dense concepts like military strategy and emerging technologies into relatable and actionable ideas.
Peter shares how this approach has been used in projects for clients such as NATO and U.S. Special Operations Command. From scenarios addressing contested logistics to narrative-driven accompaniments for doctrine like FM 3-0, useful fiction helps leaders visualize and internalize strategic principles. Singer emphasizes the importance of grounding these stories in reality—technology must be feasible and set within the next generation, adhering to the "no vaporware rule."
The conversation touches on institutional reluctance to embrace change, the need to adapt in an era of multi-domain operations, and the lessons history teaches about innovation and resistance. With humor and depth, Peter explains how stories help us not just imagine the future, but prepare for it. A must-listen for military thinkers and strategists!
Visit Useful Fiction at the following link: https://useful-fiction.com/about-us/
Revolution in Military Affairs 
