I think you and submarinerswife have been trolled. I had the same reaction as you two when I first saw that repsonse, but then I got to thinking (always a dangerous thing) that no one could be that dense as to refer to a novel when discussing a technical subject with obvious experts.
Actually, it's quite ingenious: pick any number of the types of technical threads one commonly sees at FR, say aerospace, science, firearms/munitions, etc. and become engaged with some of the more direct/specific posters. (Usually they will be quite sincere about the factual matters at hand.)
As they begin to attack you for your obviously uninformed viewpoints, bring on the coup de grâce: Well, I might not have any first-hand experience, but I read it in a book! Then sit back and enoy the reactions (as this thread can attest).
I was a sonarman....you do go active on the fathometer unless you are tracking....it is all on hardcopy....also, how do you think a sub navigates under ice?
Well, Dirk Pitt once said....
;-)