5 ms·

I know targeted assassination is frowned on but I don't know why. Surely leaders trying to assassinate each other is better than sending teenagers to die by the

I know targeted assassination is frowned on but I don't know why. Surely leaders trying to assassinate each other is better than sending teenagers to die by the thousands while the leaders stay home and benefit.

Infinitesimus 7y ago
I think ideally people wouldn't be trying to kill each other so much.
- DubiousPusher 7y ago
  That would be wonderful. In the interim, let the pencil pushers and power grubbers kill one another rather than the manipulable youngins.
- londons_explore 7y ago
  Throughout human history, ~10% of humans have been killed by other humans. You even see the same in many ape populations. I'm not even sure we have the power to change that. Having said that, the percentage has perhaps been the lowest ever in the past century (neither world war was that deadly), so maybe we're making progress towards your goal.
dx87 7y ago
In theory, requiring full scale war disincentivizes war, so a peaceful solution is more likely. If targeted assassinations became the norm, you'd probably end up in a scenario where the country with the most advanced assassination techniques could exert much more influence since they wouldn't have to try and justify it to their own population. The most powerful country would basically be a vengeful god; completely untouchable and capable of smiting anyone that doesn't fall in line.
- DubiousPusher 7y ago
  As opposed to the amazing world where the nation with the ability to field the biggest and best conventional force is the hegemon. I'm struggling to see the ethical difference.
- Smithalicious 7y ago
  This strongly reminds me of the plot of Death Note
avs733 7y ago
the assumption that we are assassinating leaders is based entirely on the claim by the US government, shown to be false many times, that they are leaders.

5 ms·

I know targeted assassination is frowned on but I don't know why. Surely leaders trying to assassinate each other is better than sending teenagers to die by the

by TomMckenny 7y ago

Infinitesimus 7y ago
I think ideally people wouldn't be trying to kill each other so much.
- DubiousPusher 7y ago
  That would be wonderful. In the interim, let the pencil pushers and power grubbers kill one another rather than the manipulable youngins.
- londons_explore 7y ago
  Throughout human history, ~10% of humans have been killed by other humans. You even see the same in many ape populations. I'm not even sure we have the power to change that. Having said that, the percentage has perhaps been the lowest ever in the past century (neither world war was that deadly), so maybe we're making progress towards your goal.
dx87 7y ago
In theory, requiring full scale war disincentivizes war, so a peaceful solution is more likely. If targeted assassinations became the norm, you'd probably end up in a scenario where the country with the most advanced assassination techniques could exert much more influence since they wouldn't have to try and justify it to their own population. The most powerful country would basically be a vengeful god; completely untouchable and capable of smiting anyone that doesn't fall in line.
- DubiousPusher 7y ago
  As opposed to the amazing world where the nation with the ability to field the biggest and best conventional force is the hegemon. I'm struggling to see the ethical difference.
- Smithalicious 7y ago
  This strongly reminds me of the plot of Death Note
avs733 7y ago
the assumption that we are assassinating leaders is based entirely on the claim by the US government, shown to be false many times, that they are leaders.