3 ms·

> terrorism has evolved as well I stopped worrying about terrorism when I realized that they could easily take out most of the European power grid with a few w

> terrorism has evolved as well I stopped worrying about terrorism when I realized that they could easily take out most of the European power grid with a few well-placed bombs on the central very-high-voltage power lines. Yet for some reason, they don't. If terrorists were really hellbent on killing as many enemy civilians as possible, the world would look very different. What actually seems to be happening is that they use the smallest possible intervention that causes sufficient fear (and, conversely, sufficient support on their home turf). So I don't think they'll be blowing up nuclear reactors anytime soon. That would be unnecessary overkill (literally).

pintxo 7y ago
Interesting idea. I'd say they are just not intelligent enough to really figure out how to kill as many as possible. If they where intelligent, they would understand that terrorism rarely works in achieving its stated goals and do something more likely to work out in their favor.
- mvc 7y ago
  Terrorism has been working pretty great for the US and UK governments over the past 200 years.
natmaka 7y ago
This is true for some terrorists, not for any of them. The War Nerd explained it. https://exiledonline.com/the-war-se-the-better/ https://exiledonline.com/the-war-se-the-better/
Nasrudith 7y ago
Really terrorism is like the Spanish Flu - while not good it is the knee-jerk excessive reaction that is the true threat. I suspect it is a matter of ideology and psychology. Just emptying an AR-15 clip into substations throughout a country isn't "exciting" or "sexy" even if it would be very effective saboage. It is boring and doesn't validate their ego or whatever statement they want to make. It would be petty vandalism and not even inspiring to those already radicalized to their cause. Plus while causing damage and disruption it isn't exactly terrifying - the aftermath involves selling bonds and overtime for repair and manufacturing. Even if it kills it is far less traumatic than direct violence. Atomwaffen are essentially the only group I know of who would actually have something like that as a goal instead of a potential method. They are essentially an example of the theory of fascism as a death cult insanely trying to control their own mortality it by inflicting death upon the other. Thankfully they are fundamentally incompetent losers.

pintxo 7y ago

Interesting idea. I'd say they are just not intelligent enough to really figure out how to kill as many as possible. If they where intelligent, they would understand that terrorism rarely works in achieving its stated goals and do something more likely to work out in their favor.

mvc 7y ago
Terrorism has been working pretty great for the US and UK governments over the past 200 years.

natmaka 7y ago

This is true for some terrorists, not for any of them. The War Nerd explained it. https://exiledonline.com/the-war-se-the-better/ https://exiledonline.com/the-war-se-the-better/

Nasrudith 7y ago

Really terrorism is like the Spanish Flu - while not good it is the knee-jerk excessive reaction that is the true threat. I suspect it is a matter of ideology and psychology. Just emptying an AR-15 clip into substations throughout a country isn't "exciting" or "sexy" even if it would be very effective saboage. It is boring and doesn't validate their ego or whatever statement they want to make. It would be petty vandalism and not even inspiring to those already radicalized to their cause. Plus while causing damage and disruption it isn't exactly terrifying - the aftermath involves selling bonds and overtime for repair and manufacturing. Even if it kills it is far less traumatic than direct violence. Atomwaffen are essentially the only group I know of who would actually have something like that as a goal instead of a potential method. They are essentially an example of the theory of fascism as a death cult insanely trying to control their own mortality it by inflicting death upon the other. Thankfully they are fundamentally incompetent losers.