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What makes me the most upset is that these are not governments that are building anti-satellite weapons. These are scientists and engineers. People that know

What makes me the most upset is that these are not governments that are building anti-satellite weapons. These are scientists and engineers. People that know better and yet are building these weapons anyways, handing them to warmongers, all in exchange for some money. Each technologist has a choice whether or not to work on these systems. The answer should always be NO.

drjesusphd 11y ago
> Each technologist has a choice whether or not to work on these systems. The answer should always be NO. Thank you for putting it this way. People come up with all kinds of rationalizations to work on such things in exchange for a little more money. They need to be shamed.
JoeAltmaier 11y ago
Especially if the Israelis feel threatened: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Babylon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Babylon
deleted 11y ago
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joshstrange 11y ago
> Each technologist has a choice whether or not to work on these systems. The answer should always be NO. While I agree that in theory this is true I don't think in practice this is always the case. It speaks to a larger morality issue coupled with economic/personal conditions of the professional involved. For example is it moral to develop space weapons if you are sure your enemy is/may be doing the same (see: military industrial complex)? Or what if the professional in question is threatened with career ruin if they don't comply or even have their loved ones threatened? I'm just trying to say this isn't the black and white issue some people want to make it out to be.
trhway 11y ago
>Each technologist has a choice whether or not to work on these systems. The answer should always be NO. The answer NO makes sense only when ALL technologists do it. Prisoner dilemma. Anyway, our technological civilization started when apes learned to use stone and stick as weapons. So, no surprise that most of the technological development is driven by weapons development. After all, Cro-Magnon had bow, and Neanderthal was physically stronger and had more peaceful spirit as result ...
- TeMPOraL 11y ago
  Exactly. And the more people will say NO, the bigger salaries will go to those who say YES.
avz 11y ago
> Each technologist has a choice whether or not to work on these systems. The answer should always be NO. Technologists is not a politically or economically homogenous group. You can find engineers who would like to work on anti-satellite weapons for all kinds of reasons: economic, political, patriotic, religious, economic or simply for its cool factor. Also, technologists are not universally pacifists or proponents of space exploration or progress in general (even though majority of them may be).
JonnieCache 11y ago
What makes you think they know better?

drjesusphd 11y ago

> Each technologist has a choice whether or not to work on these systems. The answer should always be NO. Thank you for putting it this way. People come up with all kinds of rationalizations to work on such things in exchange for a little more money. They need to be shamed.

JoeAltmaier 11y ago

Especially if the Israelis feel threatened: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Babylon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Babylon

deleted 11y ago

[deleted]

joshstrange 11y ago

> Each technologist has a choice whether or not to work on these systems. The answer should always be NO. While I agree that in theory this is true I don't think in practice this is always the case. It speaks to a larger morality issue coupled with economic/personal conditions of the professional involved. For example is it moral to develop space weapons if you are sure your enemy is/may be doing the same (see: military industrial complex)? Or what if the professional in question is threatened with career ruin if they don't comply or even have their loved ones threatened? I'm just trying to say this isn't the black and white issue some people want to make it out to be.

trhway 11y ago

>Each technologist has a choice whether or not to work on these systems. The answer should always be NO. The answer NO makes sense only when ALL technologists do it. Prisoner dilemma. Anyway, our technological civilization started when apes learned to use stone and stick as weapons. So, no surprise that most of the technological development is driven by weapons development. After all, Cro-Magnon had bow, and Neanderthal was physically stronger and had more peaceful spirit as result ...

TeMPOraL 11y ago
Exactly. And the more people will say NO, the bigger salaries will go to those who say YES.

avz 11y ago

> Each technologist has a choice whether or not to work on these systems. The answer should always be NO. Technologists is not a politically or economically homogenous group. You can find engineers who would like to work on anti-satellite weapons for all kinds of reasons: economic, political, patriotic, religious, economic or simply for its cool factor. Also, technologists are not universally pacifists or proponents of space exploration or progress in general (even though majority of them may be).

JonnieCache 11y ago

What makes you think they know better?