Yesterday I was watching Threads (1984) and an inherent question came to mind: why aren't we so scared anymore?
Ask HN: Aren't you afraid of a possible world conflict?
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Re: Ask HN: Aren't you afraid of a possible world conflict?
#2[dead]
Re: Ask HN: Aren't you afraid of a possible world conflict?
#3There are several possible reasons, but it may be because the strategic goals changed since WWI and WWII.
Those two worldwide wars were quasi-colonial wars. Powers of the time were competing to become as powerful economically and militarily as possible.
However, the war didn't end with WWII, since at any time there were around 20/30 wars in a quickly changing landscape. It's just that were not done in the Western world (except in the Balkans in the 1990').
Since that time there have been mostly two types of military conflicts by regional actors:
* Low-intensity conflicts (the multiple "liberation" armies, religious wars or warlords as in central Africa)
* Conflict between main powers via proxy.
Re: Ask HN: Aren't you afraid of a possible world conflict?
#4It seems like there's a difference between the discourse online and IRL. Whenever I talk to people online, I get this picture of people not really caring and, depending on the bubble, even being excited for conflict. However, when talking to people IRL, they are much more "conservative" in their opinions, and also more afraid.
What's closer to the truth? Tweets or real life conversations? I mean on one hand, there's less of a filter online and anonymity makes people dare say things they would otherwise not. It creates an interesting dynamic where other people hear those utterances and think just what you think: Why are people not afraid anymore? On the other hand, there's also a HUGE amount of bots and third parties influencing online discourse. I think it will only become apparent after say ~10-20 more years, on which scale online manipulation is actually taking place. It's insane.
Re: Ask HN: Aren't you afraid of a possible world conflict?
#5Honestly, people in real life are petrified about interest rates going up and losing their job. They don’t give a shit about global conflict. Not one person I’ve come across has even mentioned it in the last year.
Re: Ask HN: Aren't you afraid of a possible world conflict?
#6russia is currently invading ukraine using russian and north korean soldiers with the aide of iranian and chinese weapons. russia has supported pro russian candidates in elections using social media propaganda through chinese apps like tiktok helping people like hungary’s viktor orban or 2016s donald trump get elected. they also likely will get an unknown romanian pro russian leader elected as well. russia has supported houthi rebels and has promoted the war in syria. russia has put in place and supported the pro russian break away state of transnistria that has disrupted moldova.
we are in a world conflict. the west has used it for war profiteering as they send all their old weapons to ukraine so they can buy new ones from their friendly local defense contractor.
Re: Ask HN: Aren't you afraid of a possible world conflict?
#7Should we be scared? [asked in all seriousness, not as a quip.]
Re: Ask HN: Aren't you afraid of a possible world conflict?
#8The everyday problems are already overwhelming enough, I don't have the mental and emotional capacity to add an another, hypothetical problem to the mix.
Re: Ask HN: Aren't you afraid of a possible world conflict?
#9Because a lot of people are still in denial, not believing this is a plausible scenario, just like they were in denial that a large war might break out in eastern Europe "because we don't really do wars anymore".
Worst part is, apparently, lots of politicians at the wheel also believe "it won't come to this".
Reality is going to hit like a truck.
Re: Ask HN: Aren't you afraid of a possible world conflict?
#10I am but what can I do about it.