The Reapers

Ah. The new robot attack planes are being deployed in force. The deployment of robots is presumably intended to make attacks more precise, and I have no doubt that in certain tactical situations it confers great advantages, sparing and protecting our armed forces - but the history suggests the total effect may be the opposite; as war gets more technically advanced, a greater and greater proportion of civilians die compared to combatants.

It is noted that our vast supplies of vastly superior weapons are losing us this war- Why? War is politics by other means - War is always politics, a type of unlimited form of persuasion. The point is always to convince human beings to a desired course of action, your opponents, your spectators at risk, your allies and selves. Failure to understand this will lose any superpower any war, no matter what its weapons.

What effect will more bigger, highly lethal robot planes have? Tactically, I wouldn't presume to know. Not that much in the short run, I expect. But you must ask how will ordinary Iraqis walking around under ever-circling, lethal robot planes will perceive them, and their lives under faltering U.S. occupation, and us. These remote weapons may kill some of the more vicious of the terroristic factions. They will be very successful at inducing fear and terror. Does this get us closer to or farther away from American success?

By the way, here is a cute little article on the wavering memories of the tech generation - as we manage more information, we forget simple things.