Operators themselves noticed the dehumanizing bias in how targets were labeled

Evidence

PILOT: Yeah, review that [expletive] … why didn’t he say possible child, why are they so quick to call [expletive] kids but not to call a [expletive] rifle? — Grégoire Chamayou, A Theory of the Drone, 33

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to the reader’s interest in the twisted logic of impunity — here the pilots themselves voice unease about the labeling that enables killing. — connects to: Dehumanization causes perpetrators to perceive victims as nonhuman and therefore not entitled to moral obligation — Dehumanization increases instrumental violence, but not moral violence; Drone design produces a strong moral buffering effect on operators — Grégoire Chamayou, A Theory of the Drone, 407; Dehumanization redefines targets as less human, using terms like ‘animals’ and ‘vermin’ to get people to accept or engage in atrocities. — What Is Dehumanization, Anyway? (+2 more)

Broader Connections

• Drone design produces a strong moral buffering effect on operators #complicates (0.40) — Grégoire Chamayou, A Theory of the Drone, 407
• US surveillance systematically targets select bodies using racial cues #complicates (0.35) — , Selod, Saher - Forever Suspect_…, 94