War is 'Fun’

The annals of history bear witness to an unbroken cycle of wars, each altering the course of humanity in profound and enduring ways. There are many kinds of wars—physical combat, trade wars, technology wars, etc. Depending on a country’s strength, what it wants to achieve, and its vanity, battles can be prolonged or short.

Allies – past or concurrent – also have a say in the matter. It looks like alliances are made beforehand in anticipation of wars. As if they are sure there will be at least a skirmish. Nobody likes to lose, not even an inch.

It looks as if the leaders are ever-ready to fight. Ah! Yes. Boys will be boys. Men will be men. Can we change that cliche to “Boys may play; men should take responsibility”?

Are we civilized or still cavemen? I can’t help thinking.

War seems like a sport to the leaders with callous attitudes. It is akin to the Olympics of proving military strength. The winner may be judged by the greater number of deaths or the size of the booty. Armies are trained athletes for this. The higher-ups orchestrate the play in a way that makes them feel superior.

In the long term, history will not pardon the perpetrators of wars. Even after centuries, the scars will remain, and the emotional wounds will reopen and become infected at the slightest provocation. In other words, wars beget wars.

And do not believe anyone who talks about a war to end all wars. That is complete BS.

So here we are dissecting the great farce of battles—a satire on war’s absurdities.

Nations Competing for the “Championship of Destruction”

The result of any war is the destruction of property and lives. The mammoth grandstanding that every totalitarian leader exhibits is laughable. This is often viewed negatively, as it prioritizes spectacle over meaningful dialogue or action. In the context of war, the leader usually does not agree with the citizens’ high-handed decision-making. The public will likely feel they are being sacrificed to cater to the leader’s fancy. Akin to lambs for the offering. The offensive actions of leaders and their inner circles fuel widespread skepticism toward politicians, making public suspicion understandable.

Grayscale Photography of Chainmails and Helmets on Ground · Free Stock Photo

When imposed, unrestrained self-righteousness upends any semblance of civility. Honor, resources, ideology—anything can be a ruse. In the chaos of war, humanity weaves a tapestry of ambition and ruin, seeking glory in annihilation—a macabre dance where even the victors are marked by loss.

Nip it in the bud, they say. Snowballing can be prevented at the outset if the leader so wishes. How do we make the leaders want to? That is the billion-dollar question. From time immemorial, it has not happened. Why should it now? There is more to lose than ever before.

We live in a world that is depleting Earth’s resources. The population is at a peak, and there are problems galore. Remember, even the war items—bayonets, missiles, tanks, ammunition—are manufactured with what is lying beneath our feet. And those are not infinite. After a war ends, there are piles of human bodies and mountains of used warfare equipment. I wonder if they have any scrap value. The former does not have it, and I am unsure about the latter.

Great Reasons for War That Make No Sense

Have you heard of the Pig War between the United States and Britain, which started over the death of a pig? A few acres of land were at stake. The reasons for a war can be ridiculous. That is to be expected since there is no right and wrong when emotions run high.

Nope.

I am wrong.

It is always right on my side, and the other side is entirely wrong. In reality, both have had the opportunity to engage in dialogue but often choose warfare. Water, minerals, and even space have been fought for and continue to be.

What a tragedy!

But who thinks in those terms? Not the leaders, for all they lose is dignity and false ego (what on earth is that?). That is nothing when the hardships of the warring nations are considered.

Perceived slights have a big say, whether we like it or not. Agendas are set, and the public is repeatedly brainwashed to believe the lies propagated. Each generation makes its own unique mistake. As global citizens, we cannot run away from the aftermath of war anywhere in the world. Therefore, we must ensure that the so-called leaders do not hijack our emotions.

If we do not learn from history, then there is no point in blaming the leaders.

Parody Political Speeches

The barrage of words ‘liberation,’ ‘freedom,’ and ‘nationalism’ increases when relationships between nations become sour. A tactical ploy by leaders to play the public is behind the scenes.

Speaking from both sides of the mouth is a talent, indeed!

Outwardly, the leaders want to mask their imagined threats and carry out preemptive strikes. The government machinery is well-oiled, and the media is sometimes placated to avoid spilling beans. The nexus between the four pillars of democracy (and autocracy, to an extent) is systematically disintegrated to favour a few. The government and the elite are hand in glove.

Leaders love to divide and rule, easy-peasy! (Visualized)

I read an article recently mentioning Putin’s need for war, a sort of delusional pursuit. The idea is absurd, as the gains are minuscule—or so we think. The globalised world, so to speak, is found to be weaker than stronger. The irony!

Heroes and Legends

Through societal pressure and manipulation, soldiers, the scapegoats, are led to believe that they are doing an excellent service to the nation. Can these healthy humans be devoted to productive work for society? Sorry. I keep forgetting that we humans have no issues to solve. All is well.

It is heartbreaking to see the unwilling soldiers march to the battlefields, not knowing when or if they can be reunited with their families. For some, it might be months, if not years. Will they return able-bodied or as half-lives? If the latter, the onus is on the government to care for them.

In a nutshell, are they marching nowhere in the ‘noble pursuit of futile conflicts ’?

Shielded by the walls of command posts, generals shape soldiers’ fates with their strategic calls. Yet as troops face the perils of the front lines, this divide often sparks resentment, casting doubt on the fairness and legitimacy of leadership that is detached from shared risk.

I am, by no means, a war journalist. The more I read about war, the more I realise it has adapted to modernity and technology. What is a war without artificial intelligence? Otherwise, why are we spending millions? If not, the destruction of what we have painfully built over thousands of years. Bravo, humans!

Art of Trivializing Tragedy

Wartime propaganda turns suffering into a symbol of noble sacrifice. It uses emotional images and powerful messages to inspire soldiers and civilians to view pain, loss, and death as part of a larger patriotic cause. During World War I, for example, soldiers’ deaths were described as a “glorious baptism of fire,” portraying their sacrifice as a heroic act that would secure peace and prosperity for many nations.

Propaganda used emotions like shame and honor to motivate people to sacrifice more, framing their efforts as essential and noble. It portrayed suffering as a vital part of a heroic struggle, justifying the high costs of war.

Media Coverage that Glorifies Destruction as Heroism

Some media constantly throw their weight around by giving their half-baked opinions. By vying for the public’s attention, unscrupulous forces use the public’s haplessness. The dilemma of listening to different versions of the same story is real. No one has the time to find out the truth. The lies take precedence by remaining hidden, and the narrative is set. It is difficult to argue this, as human perceptions differ in myriad ways.

While it is fine to hero-worship a fictional character, the consequences of creating a cult of a political leader go too far. Humans are not perfect, and all politicians have an agenda. It is better to be safe than to be sorry. Leaders should not be given any benefit of the doubt regarding war decisions. The people elect them, and hence, politicians are answerable.

If you are like me, you might hear the news and not watch it. The unfolding daily drama of destruction and misery does not make my soul happy. It is the same for most peace-loving people. Or am I living in a fool’s paradise?

All this heroism is for an illusion called ‘legacy.’ In its proper meaning, it is about the imprint someone leaves in this world. Do the warmongers crave a negative legacy? Shall we call it ‘illegacy’? That is not a word in the dictionary. But let us make it into the dictionary.

Why are some leaders so fixated on creating a bad name in the chronicles of history? Is it because they have misconstrued the meaning of a good leader?

The ‘Comedy of Combat’—what it is for the leaders—has to be exposed to the public. As responsible citizens, we all have a task: exercising our powers opportunistically, just like the leaders do. Tit for tat, eh?

Peace Talks—A Pause for Rehearsing the Next Conflict

Peace cannot be paused for the benefit of any leader. It is a must for progress and prosperity. It takes decades to recover from the ravages of even short-span wars. Is that affordable for any nation? It is not even for advanced countries.

Every country is racing to become more developed. Even in advanced countries, a class of people always needs attention and progress. The poor and homeless look up to the leaders for their upliftment. They have no choice. And what do the leaders do? They have unnecessary, unreasonable wars. The heavy price of war falls on the shoulders of the middle class. The money that should have been spent to raise the standard of living is squandered away on war machinery. All for the love of war.

Peace treaties work sporadically. The pause is just a ‘break’; the belligerence does not change.

During this time, a referendum could be held. Based on the results, the war can begin or not start at all. Most often, people on both sides do not want war. So, as civilized human beings, we resort to peace and dialogue rather than heart-wrenching war and its outcome. In this scenario, the inclusivity of the sufferers is also being addressed. This concept may sound naïve, but every new idea is always mocked until it succeeds. That is the way the world works. I would rather be mocked than be sorry and sad for thousands of lives lost.

Let us become sensible. Let us avoid futile frontlines in the ridiculous pursuit of glory.

Why We’ll Always Have Wars

World War I (1914-1918): Around 15-20 million people lost their lives, including both military and civilian casualties.
World War II (1939-1945): Approximately 70-85 million people, including military personnel and civilians, were killed, making it the deadliest conflict in human history.

There have been so many more. In retrospect, could these have been avoided?

In the USA, war-related sales are often driven by national security needs and political lobbying, where companies influence government policies to secure defense contracts. One such company spent $240,000 lobbying on safeguarding issues in 2022 alone.

The economic system supporting corporations encourages war as a business, leading to prolonged conflicts. These manufacturers, influenced by government policies and geopolitical interests, benefit from a cycle of violence that feeds into their agendas, perpetuating war as an ongoing industry.

Final Thoughts

Once again, false valor is exploited. Does that mean countries should not have a military? Of course not. A war is never justified unless one is attacked for no valid reason. What if there is an organization that includes all the countries of the world? What if there is a voting system that approves or disapproves of the war? At least, there is some form of barrier to sudden attacks.

A global organization or voting system—Citizens Against War—could provide a barrier to sudden attacks. Before any physical combat begins, a series of discussions for a previously determined timeframe, say a year or so, could be followed. It is like giving kids a time-out. In some cases, the war streak might fizzle out. And then, things are back to normal. Hurray!

Whatever it is, war and its aftermath are not the patrimony anyone craves.

Imagine the games we let our children play. Boys are given guns, soldiers, tanks, etc. Then, the boys and girls get to see violent movies from childhood. Continuous exposure to such atrocities ultimately trivializes the matter. Seeing someone die in front of their eyes can become normal. And horror of horrors! A gun-buying society is more or less justified to buy without too much of a background check.

In my opinion, removing the incentives of the ‘business of war’ might do the trick. The fun is the power-drunk state of mind to disempower the helpless. Is war a true sacrifice? We need to answer this question for the sake of humanity’s perpetuity. Without us, nature will not only survive but thrive. She will not miss the human who plundered her to the end.

As a peace-loving global citizen, I wish to live in a world where each of us enjoys a system that allows everyone to contribute to improving lives. I do not want its annihilation because it makes no sense.

Are we not born to live effectively? A constructive dialogue is the way out.