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We'll never fight an all out war like that ever again. Future wars will be cold and take place in cyber space and the media. These systems are meant to be deter

We'll never fight an all out war like that ever again. Future wars will be cold and take place in cyber space and the media. These systems are meant to be deterrents and symbols of financial might.

samlevine 9y ago
A war with China over Taiwan, for example, wouldn't be a total war (at first, god willing). But it would be one that would have the US pitted against a foe with better technology than we've ever faced, even if they can't easily project much non-nuclear force into our territory. People in the 20th century didn't think WWI would happen, because it would be incredibly stupid to blow up yourself and your trading partners. We did it anyway, and underestimating our capacity for self-destruction invites it.
- andrewjl 9y ago
  A war with China would be even more destructive for China than for the US. The entire Chinese economy is oriented around global trade in the neoliberal system built post-WW2. In the scenario you're outlining, the entire country would face massive food shortages and the resulting riots would quickly force the elite from power. The big difference between now and pre-WW1 is that back then most countries were still able to be self sufficient at their then-current living standards. Trade was more for domination and luxuries, not basic necessities. It's impossible to maintain current living standards without extensive trade. Edit: Re capacity for self destruction, we have a far higher (IMO 1,000x) risk of permanently dooming our planet via climate change or chemical pollution than armed warfare. The solution is unprecedented global cooperation, which also lowers the risk of a WW type scenario. So I think we're on the same page wrt that.
maxxxxx 9y ago
"We'll never fight an all out war like that ever again." I am not so sure about that. People said the same after WW1. Looking back at history we'll probably smash the planet again sometime in the future.
- bryanlarsen 9y ago
  They were saying that even more strongly before WW1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Illusion https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Illusion
- andrewjl 9y ago
  Operative words being "like that" :) I absolutely believe war is possible, maybe inevitable. My point is it'll be of a veery different kind, so precedent examples may not apply.

We'll never fight an all out war like that ever again. Future wars will be cold and take place in cyber space and the media. These systems are meant to be deterrents and symbols of financial might.

samlevine 9y ago

A war with China over Taiwan, for example, wouldn't be a total war (at first, god willing). But it would be one that would have the US pitted against a foe with better technology than we've ever faced, even if they can't easily project much non-nuclear force into our territory. People in the 20th century didn't think WWI would happen, because it would be incredibly stupid to blow up yourself and your trading partners. We did it anyway, and underestimating our capacity for self-destruction invites it.

andrewjl 9y ago
A war with China would be even more destructive for China than for the US. The entire Chinese economy is oriented around global trade in the neoliberal system built post-WW2. In the scenario you're outlining, the entire country would face massive food shortages and the resulting riots would quickly force the elite from power. The big difference between now and pre-WW1 is that back then most countries were still able to be self sufficient at their then-current living standards. Trade was more for domination and luxuries, not basic necessities. It's impossible to maintain current living standards without extensive trade. Edit: Re capacity for self destruction, we have a far higher (IMO 1,000x) risk of permanently dooming our planet via climate change or chemical pollution than armed warfare. The solution is unprecedented global cooperation, which also lowers the risk of a WW type scenario. So I think we're on the same page wrt that.

maxxxxx 9y ago

"We'll never fight an all out war like that ever again." I am not so sure about that. People said the same after WW1. Looking back at history we'll probably smash the planet again sometime in the future.

bryanlarsen 9y ago
They were saying that even more strongly before WW1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Illusion https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Illusion
andrewjl 9y ago
Operative words being "like that" :) I absolutely believe war is possible, maybe inevitable. My point is it'll be of a veery different kind, so precedent examples may not apply.