Comments on: Pet Helmets http://secretvespers.com/2006/11/10/pet-helmets/ a webcomic by Somerled Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:08:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Kaitlyn http://secretvespers.com/2006/11/10/pet-helmets/#comment-2239 Kaitlyn Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:02:06 +0000 http://comicpress.secretvespers.com/2006/11/10/pet-helmets/#comment-2239 A number of psychological experiments have shown that humans still inherit many of the social mores more readily observed (or at least openly acknowledged) in pack animals, such as wolves. Humans will do things in a group they would not when alone. Humans will obey the alpha... even when it is something they would not normally do of their own conscience. If anything, the broader social structure we have further removes the individual from those doing the decision making, especially in military organizations, such that direct challenges are practically impossible, even in situations where they haven't been conditioned to accept such leadership decisions unquestioningly with knowledge of swift and severe reprimand should they not (generally the case in military hierarchies). The inherent conflict in following orders which an individual finds against their nature is more often a way to strip away that side of their nature than a way to stop their following such commands, it seems. Better would it be if all the political leaders who chose to go to war had to make a definite and permanent sacrifice. Perhaps ritual suicide at the end of their terms would be going too far, but some form of monastic imprisonment might not be. Immediate costs on followers mostly only inure them--or drive them mad, if there is a difference. Let the weight fall where it should. A number of psychological experiments have shown that humans still inherit many of the social mores more readily observed (or at least openly acknowledged) in pack animals, such as wolves. Humans will do things in a group they would not when alone. Humans will obey the alpha… even when it is something they would not normally do of their own conscience. If anything, the broader social structure we have further removes the individual from those doing the decision making, especially in military organizations, such that direct challenges are practically impossible, even in situations where they haven’t been conditioned to accept such leadership decisions unquestioningly with knowledge of swift and severe reprimand should they not (generally the case in military hierarchies). The inherent conflict in following orders which an individual finds against their nature is more often a way to strip away that side of their nature than a way to stop their following such commands, it seems.

Better would it be if all the political leaders who chose to go to war had to make a definite and permanent sacrifice. Perhaps ritual suicide at the end of their terms would be going too far, but some form of monastic imprisonment might not be. Immediate costs on followers mostly only inure them–or drive them mad, if there is a difference. Let the weight fall where it should.

]]> By: Samuel Bronson http://secretvespers.com/2006/11/10/pet-helmets/#comment-1689 Samuel Bronson Wed, 06 Aug 2008 12:44:26 +0000 http://comicpress.secretvespers.com/2006/11/10/pet-helmets/#comment-1689 Does being the head of the army really count as serving? Does being the head of the army really count as serving?

]]> By: Anton Sherwood http://secretvespers.com/2006/11/10/pet-helmets/#comment-826 Anton Sherwood Sat, 24 May 2008 22:03:07 +0000 http://comicpress.secretvespers.com/2006/11/10/pet-helmets/#comment-826 Since you're so apolitical, why should we take seriously your opinion that what you did in Iraq was in any way necessary (rather than harmful) to our safety and freedoms? Since you’re so apolitical, why should we take seriously your opinion that what you did in Iraq was in any way necessary (rather than harmful) to our safety and freedoms?

]]> By: Rachta http://secretvespers.com/2006/11/10/pet-helmets/#comment-806 Rachta Tue, 20 May 2008 02:11:19 +0000 http://comicpress.secretvespers.com/2006/11/10/pet-helmets/#comment-806 I sincerely doubt it. Many dictators began as or later became the head of their army. All that would get us is more hardened politicians. I sincerely doubt it. Many dictators began as or later became the head of their army. All that would get us is more hardened politicians.

]]> By: James http://secretvespers.com/2006/11/10/pet-helmets/#comment-326 James Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:49:11 +0000 http://comicpress.secretvespers.com/2006/11/10/pet-helmets/#comment-326 If the politicians were made to see first hand and to serve themselves then perhaps wars would end for all times. If the politicians were made to see first hand and to serve themselves then perhaps wars would end for all times.

]]> By: somerled http://secretvespers.com/2006/11/10/pet-helmets/#comment-325 somerled Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:09:36 +0000 http://comicpress.secretvespers.com/2006/11/10/pet-helmets/#comment-325 Well put. Perhaps it's the politicians who should be made to experience loss and wounding before sending soldiers out to die. That said, wars do start too easily and end with too much difficulty. Well put. Perhaps it’s the politicians who should be made to experience loss and wounding before sending soldiers out to die. That said, wars do start too easily and end with too much difficulty.

]]> By: James http://secretvespers.com/2006/11/10/pet-helmets/#comment-324 James Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:04:51 +0000 http://comicpress.secretvespers.com/2006/11/10/pet-helmets/#comment-324 Soldiers do not rebel. A soldier is the most apolitical person you can ever find. They serve their country and the person who stands next to them so that others may sit at home and criticise those who are doing what they are unable to do them selves. I served, fought and bled for my country in the first gulf war and was called a murderer and baby killer. I am guilty of neither, but I am guilty of defending your right to say those things and call me those names even though you know not of what you speak. NO ONE wants peace more than a soldier for they are the ones who spend their life to buy it. Soldiers do not rebel.

A soldier is the most apolitical person you can ever find. They serve their country and the person who stands next to them so that others may sit at home and criticise those who are doing what they are unable to do them selves.

I served, fought and bled for my country in the first gulf war and was called a murderer and baby killer. I am guilty of neither, but I am guilty of defending your right to say those things and call me those names even though you know not of what you speak.

NO ONE wants peace more than a soldier for they are the ones who spend their life to buy it.

]]> By: Kayn http://secretvespers.com/2006/11/10/pet-helmets/#comment-299 Kayn Sun, 02 Mar 2008 20:10:50 +0000 http://comicpress.secretvespers.com/2006/11/10/pet-helmets/#comment-299 But the soldiers can rebel. But the soldiers can rebel.

]]> By: Brandon http://secretvespers.com/2006/11/10/pet-helmets/#comment-216 Brandon Sun, 24 Feb 2008 17:25:06 +0000 http://comicpress.secretvespers.com/2006/11/10/pet-helmets/#comment-216 soldiers rarely have a choice in whether the war starts soldiers rarely have a choice in whether the war starts

]]> By: Sam http://secretvespers.com/2006/11/10/pet-helmets/#comment-27 Sam Sat, 02 Feb 2008 20:59:38 +0000 http://comicpress.secretvespers.com/2006/11/10/pet-helmets/#comment-27 Quite a poignant thought. Quite a poignant thought.

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