Action Quote by Paul Virilio
“Moreover, I would like to say that the sort of polar inertia we witnessed in the Kosovo War, the polar inertia involving 'automated war' and 'war-at-a-distance' is also terribly weak in the face of terrorism. For instance, in such situations, any individual who decides to place or throw a bomb can simply walk away. He or she has the freedom to move. This also applies to militant political groups and their actions.”
About This Quote
War's remote technologies make individual violent acts easy and hard to prevent, weakening traditional deterrence.
In simple terms: Remote warfare enables lone attackers to act freely.
Key Takeaway
Strengthen detection and rapid response to lone threats.
Themes
security
terrorism
technology
warfare
Mood
urgent
analytical
Type
policy
strategic
When to use this quote
- urban security
- counterterrorism planning
- policy debates
Key Concepts
polar inertia
automated conflict
asymmetric threats
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards can limit lone actor freedom?
- How can societies balance security and liberty?
A Different Perspective
Technology can also enable surveillance and prevention.
