Total calculation in war breeds a stupidity that undermines technology

Evidence

Dronized manhunting represents the triumph, both practical and doctrinal, of antiterrorism over counterinsurgency. According to this logic, the total body count and a list of hunting trophies take the place of a strategic evaluation of the political effects of armed violence. Successes become statistics. Their evaluation is totally disconnected from their real effects on the ground. — Grégoire Chamayou, A Theory of the Drone, 282 (#exemplifies, via linked claim)

The burdens of calculation are further reduced by the use of benchmarks to guide decisions. Round numbers often serve this function. Thus, Herbert York (1970) explained that the Atlas missile was designed to be able to carry a 1-megaton warhead in large part because, having 10 fingers, we build our number system on the base of 10. — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 2564 (#exemplifies, via linked claim)

If the theory of numbers could be employed for any practical and obviously honourable purpose, if it could be turned directly to the furtherance of human happiness or the relief of human suffering, as physiology and even chemistry can, then surely neither Gauss nor any other mathematician would have been so foolish as to decry or regret such applications. But science works for evil as well as for good (and particularly, of course, in time of war); and both Gauss and lesser mathematicians may be justified in rejoicing that there is one science at any rate, and that their own, whose very remoteness from ordinary human activities should keep it gentle and clean. — G. H. Hardy, A Mathematician’s Apology, 247 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Mathematicians value uselessness because science serves evil in war — G. H. Hardy, A Mathematician’s Apology, 247; Proportionality calculations in war merely legitimate deaths rather than measure them — Grégoire Chamayou, A Theory of the Drone, 1130; Pure mathematics cannot be turned to warlike purposes — G. H. Hardy, A Mathematician’s Apology, 277 (+3 more)

Broader Connections

• Drone war turns strategic evaluation into disconnected body counts. #exemplifies (0.85) — Grégoire Chamayou, A Theory of the Drone, 282
• Mathematicians value uselessness because science serves evil in war #corroborates (0.80) — G. H. Hardy, A Mathematician’s Apology, 247
• The Atlas missile’s 1-megaton warhead size reflects decimal counting, not strategy #exemplifies (0.80) — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 2564
• Proportionality calculations in war merely legitimate deaths rather than measure them #expands (0.75) — Grégoire Chamayou, A Theory of the Drone, 1130
• Pure mathematics cannot be turned to warlike purposes #corroborates (0.70) — G. H. Hardy, A Mathematician’s Apology, 277
• Drone precision claims will fail in actual battle conditions #expands (0.70) — Grégoire Chamayou, A Theory of the Drone, 726