Thursday, November 05, 2015

The End of War

This morning I listened to the Radiolab episode New Normal? on the to work. The opening segment featured John Horgan asking people on the streets in Hoboken whether "humans [will] ever stop fighting wars?"

My initial thought was "yes". Major war has already ceased. The powers haven't fought among themselves in 70 years. This new normal is due to advancements in weapons' power and economic well-being. There's a lot more to lose, and it's much easier to lose it.

However, "conflict" never ended and never would - it's innate human nature. Instead, conflict is diverted through other channels: pummeling non-state combatants with rusting rifles from billion-dollar bombers or, without firing a short, using economic and diplomatic leverage to achieve aims.

How individual humans' develop vis-à-vis conflict came to mind as analogous parallel to the progress of civilization and decline of intra-state wars. Whereas adolescent boys charge each other needing very little provocation, fists are never thrown in adulthood - perhaps because the penalties are stiffer and we risk homes, families, and stable jobs. I'm doubtful the competitive drive that causes schoolyard brawls really lessens. Instead, direct conflict is replaced by passive-aggression, subtle put-downs, personal sabotage, and ego-gratifying bullying down the hierarchy.

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