it is similar to how any kind of widely used power plant is basically just a steam machine. the difference is how we create the heat, but no matter if we burn coal or split atom there, it is still just a steam machine. if we some day finally manage to get fusion reactors to work, it will still be just a steam machine.

We need to figure out a way to boil water by throwing rocks.

And then the theoretical peak of space combat, throwing big rocks at planets from orbit

Guns I'll grant you, but

Nuclear bomb? Throwing a special, spicy rock

"Spicy" is doing a lot of work there lol.

And purposeful shrapnel is just throwing rocks that throw more rocks.