(March 14, 2010 at 12:11 am)Frank Wrote: I want to toss this out there - I heard an interesting hypothesis several months ago. While there's certainly been plenty of small wars (conflicts really) since the advent of nuclear weapon technology, there's been far less killing than traditionally seen throughout history since the development of advanced nuclear weapon technology. Apparently the idea of mutually assured destruction has provided an excellent deterrent against large scale military conflict (the type where millions are killed, not just a few thousand or even tens of thousands). Just an observation (not really advocating any particular approach, but something I suppose we need to make a mental note of as we're formulating what our own positions should be).
Eye. Mutually Assured Destruction (M.A.D.)
Full on war like the second and first world wars are no longer possible. Not unless you wish to plunge this planet into another dark age. One that will send us all back to the cave age. The question is. How many huge wars would have taken place if nukes wern't an issue? Garanteed defeat on both sides have prevented major, even minor wars from taking place.
I think we have benefited from M.A.D. because it keeps us from going into major wars. It has been more peaceful now than it ever has been.
1st and 2nd world wars were faught with guns, tanks, aircrafts and bombs. 3rd world war to be faught with nuclear weapons. 4th world war will be faught with sticks and stones.

Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence - Carl Sagan
Mankind's intelligence walks hand in hand with it's stupidity.
Being an atheist says nothing about your overall intelligence, it just means you don't believe in god. Atheists can be as bright as any scientist and as stupid as any creationist.
You never really know just how stupid someone is, until you've argued with them.
Mankind's intelligence walks hand in hand with it's stupidity.
Being an atheist says nothing about your overall intelligence, it just means you don't believe in god. Atheists can be as bright as any scientist and as stupid as any creationist.
You never really know just how stupid someone is, until you've argued with them.