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I'm not convinced MAD actually works. Once you see the bombs flying, the only logical thing to do is to give up your pre-war resolve of retaliation and complete
by captainmuon 8y ago
I'm not convinced MAD actually works. Once you see the bombs flying, the only logical thing to do is to give up your pre-war resolve of retaliation and completely submit - start printing Soviet flags so to speak. Of course, pre-war you'll try to convince the enemy that it isn't so, but they are not stupid.
The only thing that saved us IMO was the power of the political elites (in East and West), that despite all saber-rattling rhetorics, never wanted a war. Now that that power is waning, I'm not sure what will save us this time around. Maybe religious elites can instill a taboo against using this kind of technology for harm?
- TeMPOraL 8y agoMAD works until bombs start flying. But if you let the enemy know you won't retaliate after the bombs fall, MAD breaks down and they're no longer deterred from dropping bombs in the first place. MAD works by creating a clear, indisputable casual relationship between you attacking and you getting destroyed.
- opwieurposiu 8y agoVulcan's might do the logical thing, but Humans will fight back. MAD is one case where human emotion is both the cause and solution of a problem.
- nokcha 8y ago>Once you see the bombs flying, the only logical thing to do is to give up your pre-war resolve of retaliation and completely submit Not necessarily -- it depends on one's ethical philosophy. And it is well-known that humans do sometimes seek revenge even at the risk of their own lives. Plus, there are procedures in place for retaliating responding to a nuclear attack, so all that is required is for military personnel to act in accordance with the established procedures.