Hamas War

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

The Loyalty and Judgement of Robots?

Israel's former Prime Minister and present Defense Minister loves technology.  Apparently it's rumored that he prefers it to humans and certainly to Judaism and the Land of Israel.

His first career was in the IDF, and his big contribution was gadgets, using technology wherever possible.  Now he's trying to substitute robots for soldiers in many routine positions.  Well, we could say that Ehud Barak likes two kinds of robots, the mechanical computerized and the robotized human soldier who blindly follows orders.  That's a crucial ingredient in his battle against the hesder yeshivot.  He prefers soldiers blindly loyal to his judgement and agenda.  Religious and independent-minded soldiers make him nervous and insecure, because he can't control them.

Israel's greatest victories were because decisions were made on the ground, suited to the unexpected.  Too much central control is dangerous.  We were victorious in the 1967 Six Days War and liberated our Historic Homeland, because the officers took advantage of what was happening at the time.  Just because the battle plan was survival and not land didn't mean they had to ignore opportunities.  Now, we're davka in danger, because short-sighted politicians keep refusing to accept reality.

They're acting like programmed robots in how they refuse to adjust to the real world.

Don't put your faith in robots, or you'll blow a fuse when facing the unplanned. 

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

and dont forget how arik saved israel when he disobeyed orders in 73. but i think all military commanders need soldiers to follow orders without thinking. this is the only way an army can run.
while conscientious objection is allowed, it really is a very thorny issue. so barak, like all military commanders, needs soldiers to follow orders unquestionably as a rule.

Batya said...

During the "second Lebanese war, my son was saved when his officer refused orders to stay in a place, which seemed unsafe from up close. Another unit followed orders and there were few survivors.