Fascinating (and alarming) piece, with a lot to think about. Still, I can't help but think that you have not really addressed the threat from China. While certainly the US is far, far from perfect, and I would actually argue that the Chinese themselves actually form a better society than many Westerners, particularly Americans, do due to their high emphasis on community orientation versus our stubborn attachment to individualism, do you really think the world would be better ruled by China?
This is a particularly crucial question given all that you say about surveillance and the inherent difficulty of believing you are in the right.
I'm aware that this question probably has something in it to tick absolutely everyone off, but it is genuine, and I hope people can respond to my intent rather than choosing to nurse their irritation.
I'm against all kinds of mad surveillance and oppressiob, and China is quite high on that list. I'm the last I've written articles on good to break their systems as well.
The point of the article isn't to saw or defense spending to 0 but to caution against an over embrace of tech and defense over other fields of technology.
Some amount of defense tech and spending is necessary, but the SV wanton embrace is concerning
What a masterpiece! So much resonates here, and the urgency is undeniable. I just keep wondering: what does resistance look like in practice, at the level of daily work?
Not the big treaties or public outcry, but inside teams, inside companies.
Most developers aren’t joining evil empires, they’re chasing momentum, solving puzzles, building things.
How do we equip those people, in those moments, to say no?
First we equip people w/ knowledge so that they become more aware of the impacts of their actions.
Next we provide viable and meaningful alternatives. Weapons startups are buil;t b/c they’re funded. If we fund other areas, we will see more founders move towards them.
At the same time we need to actively punish the development of these systems (atleast beyond a certain point). Some defense tech is inevitable, but it should not be openly pushed. The punishment can be through whistleblower protections, use of AP etc to make these systems unreliable, or financial incentives.
It’s a slow process, but we can’t look away. Otherwise this will only get worse.
Amazing article
Thank you
Love it!
Thank you
Fascinating (and alarming) piece, with a lot to think about. Still, I can't help but think that you have not really addressed the threat from China. While certainly the US is far, far from perfect, and I would actually argue that the Chinese themselves actually form a better society than many Westerners, particularly Americans, do due to their high emphasis on community orientation versus our stubborn attachment to individualism, do you really think the world would be better ruled by China?
This is a particularly crucial question given all that you say about surveillance and the inherent difficulty of believing you are in the right.
I'm aware that this question probably has something in it to tick absolutely everyone off, but it is genuine, and I hope people can respond to my intent rather than choosing to nurse their irritation.
This seems to stem from a misunderstanding.
I'm against all kinds of mad surveillance and oppressiob, and China is quite high on that list. I'm the last I've written articles on good to break their systems as well.
The point of the article isn't to saw or defense spending to 0 but to caution against an over embrace of tech and defense over other fields of technology.
Some amount of defense tech and spending is necessary, but the SV wanton embrace is concerning
Ah, yes, I did misunderstand you. Thank you!!
Awesome piece Devansh. As an investor in Quantum Systems, the German done business, this is a fantastic read
Thank you sir. Means a lot from you.
What a masterpiece! So much resonates here, and the urgency is undeniable. I just keep wondering: what does resistance look like in practice, at the level of daily work?
Not the big treaties or public outcry, but inside teams, inside companies.
Most developers aren’t joining evil empires, they’re chasing momentum, solving puzzles, building things.
How do we equip those people, in those moments, to say no?
First we equip people w/ knowledge so that they become more aware of the impacts of their actions.
Next we provide viable and meaningful alternatives. Weapons startups are buil;t b/c they’re funded. If we fund other areas, we will see more founders move towards them.
At the same time we need to actively punish the development of these systems (atleast beyond a certain point). Some defense tech is inevitable, but it should not be openly pushed. The punishment can be through whistleblower protections, use of AP etc to make these systems unreliable, or financial incentives.
It’s a slow process, but we can’t look away. Otherwise this will only get worse.
Another masterpiece by Devansh!
<3
Long to read :)
But hopefully good