Wars Of Future Past

Wars Of Future Past is a newsletter exploring the intersection of war, technology, and society, focusing on how military technology, ethical considerations, and cultural representations impact both present and future conflicts. It examines the use of robots, AI, and drones in warfare, alongside the societal and political implications of modern and speculative technologies.

Military Technology and Ethics Cultural Representations of War Political and Societal Implications of Warfare Autonomous Weapons and Artificial Intelligence Historical Analysis of Warfare and Technology Speculative Technologies and Future Conflicts Civilian-Military Relations and Policy Media and Public Perception of War

The hottest Substack posts of Wars Of Future Past

And their main takeaways

A City on the Edge of Forever War

39 implied HN points • 19 Jan 21
  1. A fire in the Green Zone near the Capitol was caused by a homeless woman attempting to keep warm.
  2. The concept of a 'Green Zone' in DC echoes the militarized safe zones seen in conflict zones like Iraq.
  3. The presence of a fortified Green Zone in DC reflects a mindset shaped by the enduring 'Forever War' mentality and highlights the need to dismantle it for democracy and societal progress.

Labor, Force Revisited

39 implied HN points • 08 Sep 20
  1. Technology in warfare creates distance between weapon production and use.
  2. Dual-use technologies blur the lines between civilian and military applications.
  3. Worker voices are important in discussing ethical implications of technology and weapons development.

Incendiary Balloons, Iron Domiciles

19 implied HN points • 22 Jun 21
  1. Incendiary balloons from history show limited harm but symbolic impact.
  2. Missile defense systems like Iron Dome face challenges with cost and effectiveness.
  3. Iron Dome reflects political choices and can influence conflict dynamics.

Christmas And Ground Zero

0 implied HN points • 14 Dec 20
  1. Discussion of nuclear war and Christmas Tree placement based on thermal damage radius
  2. Civil Defense history involved testing effects of nuclear explosions on houses and infrastructure
  3. Reflection on the thoughtful disaster management approach of Civil Defense compared to current government responses

Welcome to the Discontents Discord

0 implied HN points • 22 Jun 21
  1. The Discontents Discord is a thriving chatroom for paid subscribers to discuss posts.
  2. It is part of the Discontents media collective, a group of lefty Substacks and websites building a shared online community.
  3. Access to the Discord server is for paid subscribers only.
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