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> Feels like we are being primed for something new to be afraid of and give our treasure to in defense of. Aliens being non-peaceful fails so many logic tests t

by md_ 5y ago

> Feels like we are being primed for something new to be afraid of and give our treasure to in defense of. Aliens being non-peaceful fails so many logic tests though. Heh. Are you really suggesting that after decades of disinterest, the US government is releasing this in order to...make people afraid of aliens? In order to increase taxse? Or do I misunderstand what you mean?

generalizations 5y ago
Pretty sure that's been an explicit motivation for past wars carried on by the US - an external enemy builds cohesion, prevents conflict at home. Not agreeing or disagreeing, just noting that it's not an outlandish theory.
- md_ 5y ago
  I'm not disputing that intelligence agencies would lie to justify a foreign war. It's happened multiple times before. I'm disputing that lying about aliens would be an effective or preferred strategy for doing so. Like, a war against...whom? Is the voting public going to buy it? Cut me a break!
  - userulluipeste 5y ago
    Not necessarily a war. It may be useful to justify increased research budget(s) and a general shift to something else substantiated by the new fears.
    - swader999 5y ago
      It'll keep the MIC funded and justify the further weoponization of space.
Magonia 5y ago
That is not what he is suggesting, as far as my understanding goes. Rather, that this is yet another iteration of "we have always been at war with Eurasia". And, do not conflate your perception of disinterest from the government with whatever classified research took place during this time, especially post WW2.
Matticus_Rex 5y ago
There's a whole culture in the defense industry and associated bureaucracies that pushes the idea of scaring the public. They justify it with a firm internal narrative that there are huge threats out there that only the defense industry/officials really understand, and anything they can do to increase readiness is therefore justified. It just so happens that these interests align with the monetary interests in that industry, and there's a big revolving door between industry/lobbyists/officials. I had a Political Science professor in college who came from that school of IR thought who evangelized it, and then a couple of others who explicitly called it out and attacked it, which was shocking to me as a student. It feels like par for the course as a more jaded adult.

by md_ 5y ago

generalizations 5y ago

Pretty sure that's been an explicit motivation for past wars carried on by the US - an external enemy builds cohesion, prevents conflict at home. Not agreeing or disagreeing, just noting that it's not an outlandish theory.

md_ 5y ago
I'm not disputing that intelligence agencies would lie to justify a foreign war. It's happened multiple times before. I'm disputing that lying about aliens would be an effective or preferred strategy for doing so. Like, a war against...whom? Is the voting public going to buy it? Cut me a break!
- userulluipeste 5y ago
  Not necessarily a war. It may be useful to justify increased research budget(s) and a general shift to something else substantiated by the new fears.
  - swader999 5y ago
    It'll keep the MIC funded and justify the further weoponization of space.

Magonia 5y ago

That is not what he is suggesting, as far as my understanding goes. Rather, that this is yet another iteration of "we have always been at war with Eurasia". And, do not conflate your perception of disinterest from the government with whatever classified research took place during this time, especially post WW2.

Matticus_Rex 5y ago

There's a whole culture in the defense industry and associated bureaucracies that pushes the idea of scaring the public. They justify it with a firm internal narrative that there are huge threats out there that only the defense industry/officials really understand, and anything they can do to increase readiness is therefore justified. It just so happens that these interests align with the monetary interests in that industry, and there's a big revolving door between industry/lobbyists/officials. I had a Political Science professor in college who came from that school of IR thought who evangelized it, and then a couple of others who explicitly called it out and attacked it, which was shocking to me as a student. It feels like par for the course as a more jaded adult.