jmleask@wateng.UUCP (Jim Leask) (12/09/83)
Is it defense or economics that drives the arms race? I think that anyone who feels we really NEED these new 'defense' systems is not looking at their purposes realistically. eg. 1) If we use these systems, then it is obviously disaster!!! 2) If we don't use these systems then why did we really need them in the first place? (I know, to stop the Russians from using theirs, right ) Spending money on such systems however is not really spending it on the system itself. What the money goes to is a lot of JOBS for people doing research in these areas. Also if companies can land contracts to develop systems in the name of 'defense' then they can employ people and probably make some sort of a profit (which is the real problem) What can we do? 1) Remember that we are personally responsible for the products that we develop. Therefore we must ask ourselves if the system really should be developed, and if not say so and do something else. 2) If enough people voice their disapproval of the direction our governments are taking to the solution of the problems (ie. not work on these systems), then the government will be forced to find other solutions. (hopefully more reasonable ones) 3) Suggest alternative ways to spend the research money that will advance technology, and hopefully be more beneficial to mankind (ie. something that could actually be used) Jim Leask U of Waterloo, Ont, Canada watmath!wateng!jmleask