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I think that's a little uncharitable: If even a handful of people (regardless of location) are harmed by causes that we don't accept as normal, those are traged
by LeifCarrotson 4y ago
I think that's a little uncharitable: If even a handful of people (regardless of location) are harmed by causes that we don't accept as normal, those are tragedies and we'll broadcast news about that tragedy 24/7 and use enormous institutions to move heaven and earth to eliminate that harm. If thousands of people are harmed by causes that we do accept, that's life as usual. That might be obvious, but it bears some thinking about.
About 19 people in the US have been killed by Takata airbags in the years since 2008, and we've spent $24 billion recalling vehicles for repair, because that's a risk that we don't tolerate.
100 people will die today in cars - probably more than 19 people in the next hour, it's going on rush hour and people will be tired and in a hurry - and it's just another Thursday. Also, close to 19 veterans will commit suicide today. We accept that as normal, and I feel strongly that we shouldn't; consideration of that outcome should enter into the public consciousness as we consider the ethics and justifications of military recruitment and our involvement in conflicts across the globe.
Where the deaths happen doesn't really matter. I think it's more about a human ability to name and blame an antagonist: Takata. 9-11. Firestone. Putin. Covid-19. Katrina. Comparatively, 'car culture', senelescence, social and cultural reintegration, and other issues are diffuse to the point of being pervasive and and human brains have a hard time running the numbers on the risk analysis.
- WalterBright 4y ago> ethics and justifications of military recruitment Putin's War shows what happens when you don't have a strong military.
- scrumbledober 4y agoit shows what happens when you don't have a strong military and try to invade a neighbor...
- vel0city 4y agoThe invasion of Ukraine started in 2014, back when Ukraine had practically no military. Putin escalated this invasion due to the fact Ukraine had been building up its army in response to key parts of its country being occupied by a foreign invader. If Ukraine had a large military in 2014, I very much doubt Putin would have invaded Crimea nor would there be Russian troops in the Donbas.
- deleted 4y ago[deleted]
- WalterBright 4y agoSince my point wasn't obvious, let me explain. Ukraine had a very weak military. If it was stronger, Putin would never have invaded.
- sooheon 4y agoStrength is multidimensional. Power projection and defense entail different capabilities. It's not like a "strong military" is something you order online, it takes an economic and demographic base which Ukraine couldn't support. Maybe a better argument is that they shouldn't have denuclearized -- for defense you don't need a military, you just need MAD.
- scrumbledober 4y agoah I see now that I mistook the side of the conflict you were making reference to.