Peace And Modern Technology
Peace was upset. It felt ignored, neglected, a forgotten afterthought. The world’s attention was focussed on bombs and guns and the flames of death. Even language had changed. World leaders used to sound regretful when launching attacks. Now they spoke joyfully about power, about the greatness of their weapons and troops. The latest war, in the Middle East, was the worst. Peace had to do something—but what?
Peace consulted with its equals. Envy, Lust, Ego and Id were in a happy place. Not to mention Temptation (although we are)–it was thrilled, fulfilled. Anger could not attend, too busy. Society, as usual, was willing to go with the flow. Culture was the sole protestor, if inconsistent. Peace found little consolation, much less help.
The difficulty, Peace decided, was that armed conflict had become both too easy and too distant. Death came at a distance, through bombs, drones and missiles. And there were no videos of soldiers being wounded. When a drug running speedboat was destroyed, people were alarmed because one video showed two survivors–who were then killed. Public support is strongest when a war’s results are not shown.
Peace needed a solution. Lousing up military technology was it. Peace concentrated on the scientists and bureaucrats who ran military technology programmes around the world, imbuing them with the desire for Peace. Their work on modern technology dwindled. The strategy worked. When the world’s leaders depleted their stockpiles of advanced weapons, wars became person-to-person conflicts with swords. Shown on TV, wars finally became unpopular.
Peace watched, pleased: still conflict, but definitely a return to better days.