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Forget about nations and nuclear powers. Let's talk about families and electricity. My family has invested for years in electrical research. We use electricity
by Stratoscope 10y ago
Forget about nations and nuclear powers. Let's talk about families and electricity.
My family has invested for years in electrical research. We use electricity for many purposes, and we've created machinery that can deliver it where we need it, when we need it - as much as we need at any time or place.
We only use this for good purposes, mind you. But never forget: electricity is a powerful thing.
I daresay we are ahead of every other family in our electrical inventions. You'll never catch up! Well, maybe in a year or two.
You've been good neighbors, and those blueberries you grow are great! I hope you've enjoyed our figs too.
But now we have a problem.
Like I said, you've been pretty good neighbors. But we can't count on that. We hear you're experimenting with electricity now. If that goes on, and you develop technology like ours, you could wipe us out!
So we have no choice, our former friends. We don't really enjoy this.
But we must destroy you, now! Before you have a chance to strike against us.
- marcoperaza 10y agoYou're trying to apply the logic of interpersonal relationships to those between states. They are not comparable. Individuals have a higher authority to appeal to for justice. States have only the might of their legions. This bit of eternal wisdom in the Melian Dialogue captures reality well: Right, as the world goes, is only in question between equals in power, while the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must. It's not a moral statement, but a statement of fact. If you want your moral code to mean anything, you'd better be strong enough to establish and defend it.
- wruza 10y agoCool story, except that it really happened. Few countries developed 'electricity' and now pretend to be wise enough to tell others what they can or cannot do.