World War 3 happened in ST, could it happen in real life?

[TheGodBen]

A third world war is hardly necessary...

On a social level I completely agree with you, all this crap about fighting wars for tracts of land is stupid. Just look at what is happening in the Middle East right now, or what has repeatedly happened in Kashmir. Even my country (Ireland) was embroiled in conflict in the North for decades. It is stupid and we don't need it.

But there is one very good strategic reason for a third world war; oil. We will probably be able to convert civilian oil use over to renewable sources, but you will not be able to convert the military. You can't have an electric-powered tank, or an ICBM that runs on wind power.

The absurd thing is that we will probably end up fighting a war in order to control a resource that we only really need in case we have to fight a war.

 

[Deks]

I agree that using wars is one way to spur technological advancement ... on the other hand, technology can and does advance just as fast in peaceful times.

The main issue is the government.
They don't see the profit in converting to alternative sources of energy and moving on.
Another big issue are the people who grew up thinking that changing entire economic system is not doable.
Money is one of the largest problems the human civilization has faced and it can also be traced back to keeping us down in terms of research and other projects that can seriously advance our progress.

People have to adjust their way of thinking.
I think there is a way to do it without resorting to fighting ... but given the mentality of a lot of people and their lack of emotional control, fighting is the only way that a lot of the people will get the message ... actually, sometimes even that much is not enough.

 

[MetalPants]

Yeah, I think we're in the beginning stages of WW3. It's like putting a bunch of oily rags in a barrel. Eventually, they'll just combust.

 

[trekkerguy]

If something major doesn't change in US foreign policy(which is why I voted)
we'll end up triggering it for sure at somepoint.

 

[Mistral]

If something major doesn't change in US foreign policy(which is why I voted)
we'll end up triggering it for sure at somepoint.

Let us watch and see. There may be hope for us yet. I think the biggest threat is from religion. That's the likeliest touchpoint.
As George Carlin once said:
"Religious people believe that killing is wrong-unless the people being killed worship a different invisible man than the one I worship." And therein, more than oil or political differences, lies the danger.