(no subject)

[camrogers]

I think James Cameron called these things Hunter-Killers.

Still, once your robot blows someone's legs off... sell them robot legs.*

Whee.

God, we are so fucked sometimes.

My only hope is that with the rise of the Chinese as the major world power we'll see at least a little decline in world conflict. They don't seem like a war economy.



*AFAIK these are the products of two separate companies, but you just know that at some point a landmine manufacturer is going to get into prosthetics. Isn't Motorola the world's biggest landmine maker?

Comments

[patchworkkid.livejournal.com]

Well, I hear China recently bailed out the US to the tune of god-knows-how-many trillions in the wake of the GFC. And in the midst of all their other international conflicts, ebbing morale, empty bank accounts and flagging international standing I can't see them mounting a land-war-in-Asia scenario anytime soon, especially against the world's most populous nation.

[greylock.livejournal.com]

I couldn't see the US electing to fight a land war on two fronts, or actually losing badly, and yet.... here we are.

[patchworkkid.livejournal.com]

Which means a third, and much larger blunder, is far less likely. Especially with the current President.

[viscera.livejournal.com]

My concern is not about the US reaction. Historically speaking, China was/is an aggressively warlike culture and i'm just not convinced that world conflict would decline in any way, or that somehow things would be better politically. This doesn't just go for China or the US, no matter who's on top, there's always a downside. As it were.

[patchworkkid.livejournal.com]

A few years ago a friend of mine worked for defence in infocrunching, and at the time they believed China wouldn't be aggressive as (from memory) they had disdain for cultures outside their own and no demonstrated interest in aggressive expansion. I guess I'm clinging to that.

[belegdel.livejournal.com]

ebbing morale, empty bank accounts and flagging international standing

Whereas, I see these as warning signs for a country that's in need of a surge in national pride, up against a wall financially and not particularly afraid of what the rest of the world thinks. I don't want to Godwin myself, but that calls post WW1 Germany to mind.

Don't China still tacitly support North Korea?

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see China stand tall and show the world how peace can be the way. I just don't see it happening.
Our best chance is a renewed Cold War that defuses much as the previous one did, hopefully with less loss of life along the way.

[patchworkkid.livejournal.com]

Whereas, I see these as warning signs for a country that's in need of a surge in national pride, up against a wall financially and not particularly afraid of what the rest of the world thinks. I don't want to Godwin myself, but that calls post WW1 Germany to mind.

Except national pride is being questioned by a large segment of the populace, being up against the wall has people looking to their own interests rather than beating up brown people overseas, and I think more and more they are realising they give a crap how the world views them. WWI Germany... I think this is a very different case, somehow. I'm not saying I think Obama is the Messiah, but I do think he's easily smart and sane enough to realise that invading mainland China would be a colossal exercise in immediate and humiliating failure. Morale would be shattered, finances would be lower than anyone ever dreamed possible, it proves the US is toothless and decrepit, it throws the gates open to anyone else that wants to take a crack at them, they'd look goddamned stupid... If Bush was President I'd be worried. I can't imagine Obama tying himself in knots to justify war with China. Not unless China invaded them.

Which, actually, if they were gonna make a single suddent and decisive move, would be a good one in order to rewrite the political map.

[belegdel.livejournal.com]

I thought your were talking about China regarding the ebbing morale etc.

No, the US would not be so foolish. I think even Bush and co. would have failed to push that through.

invading mainland China would be a colossal exercise in immediate and humiliating failure

Very well said :)

I wonder what would happen if China, say, invaded North Korea?