Caltrops - Biohazard: Code Veronica





	[quote name="Senor Barborito MetaFilter Post"][quote]That would be almost as terrifying as the thought of computerized death machines flying overhead at all times.[/quote]They're called F-14s and F16s. They both have multiple onboard computer systems. They patrol D.C. and NYC's airspace nearly constantly, last I heard. Their pilots have certainly never been knowing to commit acts of joyriding and stupidity, and it is impossible that one of them could ever snap and start firing missles. Computers crash, yes, but so do people. [quote]watching and feeling him struggle and die or just yawning and pushing a button from a safe and private room to have him vaporized is just about everything in the world.[/quote]The simple fact is that killing was densensitized a long, long time ago. Consider how many casualties to artillery fire there were in World War 2 - did the attackers ever see their targets? Did the victims ever see who killed them? What about the bombers in B-17s? We passed that point a long time ago, and it's too late now to go back. What moral difference is there between accomplishing these impersonal, push-button kills with artillery and accomplishing them with cruise missles? Or Predator drones? Or satellite-based weaponry? Another point to consider - the people making the decisions to engage in these pathetic squabblings over land and resources will never see actual combat. For them it has always been impersonal since the dawn of feudalism. The real question is whether you want to scar the psyches of the people forced to perform the killings frequently against their will and better judgement or not. Many of them had no options outside of starvation, a lifetime behind a gas station counter, or the military. [quote]Jesus you 'it's bound to happen so we have to do it first and more radically' people are sick in the head. Your very existence is some kind of demented, self-fulfilling prophecy.[/quote]I think I've amply explained why these things will happen regardless of our actions. Perhaps instead of making moral proclamations without justification you could point out what you believe to be the critical flaw in my reasoning? posted by Ryvar at 4:44 AM PST on May 18 [/quote]