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Exactly. So is Linux, C++, and Java. I remember being at a conference where this was discussed ages ago. The speaker was describing a colleague chastising he

Exactly. So is Linux, C++, and Java. I remember being at a conference where this was discussed ages ago. The speaker was describing a colleague chastising her for working on code for a guidance system. He had helped develop a mouse, which she pointed out was also used throughout the military. It’s good that there are people who do not want to find more and more better ways to blow each other up, but disingenuous to try to ban a particular technology. If MS doesn’t get the contracts, someone else will. Some exceptions-nuclear and maybe autonomous AI. But even the later seems inevitable. AR will either be a flop or ubiquitous, and so you can’t prevent that any more than Englebert could prevent the mouse being used for military purposes.

bayesian_horse 8y ago
For me the only meaningful line is where Software is clearly and mainly intended for use in a weapon system. For example a guidance system for a particular rocket, autopilot software for a military drone etc. And I don't necessarily have a problem with that in a relatively sane jurisdiction, either. The only good reason to have a powerful military force run by a democratic government is to guard against powerful military forces run by someone else.
- gmueckl 8y ago
  I have come to a different conclusion on the last part: I live in Germany, a relatively peaceful country that is reluctant to use its military. Yet, there big weapon manufacturers here and they sell what they develop for the German government also abroad. So countries like Saudi Arabia get access to our stuff. Thus, I am fairly certain that almost every weapon system that has been developed in Germany since the second world war has been used to shoot at people in situations that Germany has no control over. Weapon exports from the US and other countries are much the same. When it is built, it will be used. And it won't generally be used by the power that you entrusted with that tech.
  - bayesian_horse 8y ago
    The system isn't perfect. Just refusing to arm your own country and your allies can't be the perfect answer, either.

bayesian_horse 8y ago

For me the only meaningful line is where Software is clearly and mainly intended for use in a weapon system. For example a guidance system for a particular rocket, autopilot software for a military drone etc. And I don't necessarily have a problem with that in a relatively sane jurisdiction, either. The only good reason to have a powerful military force run by a democratic government is to guard against powerful military forces run by someone else.

gmueckl 8y ago
I have come to a different conclusion on the last part: I live in Germany, a relatively peaceful country that is reluctant to use its military. Yet, there big weapon manufacturers here and they sell what they develop for the German government also abroad. So countries like Saudi Arabia get access to our stuff. Thus, I am fairly certain that almost every weapon system that has been developed in Germany since the second world war has been used to shoot at people in situations that Germany has no control over. Weapon exports from the US and other countries are much the same. When it is built, it will be used. And it won't generally be used by the power that you entrusted with that tech.
- bayesian_horse 8y ago
  The system isn't perfect. Just refusing to arm your own country and your allies can't be the perfect answer, either.