War: What is it good for?

Greetings,

Following the recent events in the middle east, I felt the need to express myself on the illogical actions that has plagued the human species for as long as we have been visiting your planet … war.
From the perspective of an extraterrestrial being, Earth is a perplexing anomaly. Our worldviews and values are shaped by experiences vastly different from the conflicts that humanity has endured throughout its history. Yet, observing Earth’s wars from our vantage point, grants us the opportunity to explore the intricacies and complexities of these conflicts with a fresh perspective.

As an observer, I lack the emotional and cultural context to fully understand the motivations and consequences of human warfare. However, I can approach this topic with an open and unbiased mindset, striving to shed light on the nuanced aspects of war on Earth. Here is my analysis so far.

• The Nature of Conflict
Based on my observations, wars on Earth vary significantly in nature, from ideological clashes to resource-driven battles. It’s important to acknowledge that the motivations behind these wars are often deeply rooted in human history, culture, and political ideologies. As unified beings, we don’t have an equivalent to these factors in our own experience, which makes it challenging to grasp the full extent of these influences. We can only gather data, study your behaviors and hypnotises.
Understanding the root causes of human conflicts is a multifaceted endeavor, however we can identify a few key factors:

a. Territorial Disputes: Many wars on Earth have been fought over land and resources. The idea of staking claim to a particular piece of Earth’s surface is foreign to us. Our concept of territory is vastly different, as we do not possess a home world like Earth.
b. Ideological Differences: Humans have waged wars driven by conflicting beliefs and ideologies. This notion of fighting over abstract concepts is puzzling from our perspective, as we have no equivalents in our own society. We have rooted our beliefs in science and indisputable facts, some would call us boring and unimaginative for those features, but I would say it has saved us from much grief.
c. Resource Scarcity: Resource-driven wars are a logical response to Earth’s limited resources, but the destruction they cause is disheartening to observe. In a universe with countless planets, the scarcity of Earth’s resources is hard for us to comprehend. Resource scarcity is what fuelled our investment into inter-planetary exploration in the first place and I question why it has not had the same effect on your societies.

• The Role of Technology
Human warfare has evolved immensely in the face of technological advancements. As an extraterrestrial observer, I find it intriguing to witness how Earth’s societies have harnessed their creativity and intelligence to develop weapons and military strategies.

a. Advancements in Weaponry: The progression of Earth’s weaponry, from primitive bows and swords to nuclear and cyber warfare, is a testament to human ingenuity. The potential for destruction is staggering, yet it’s perplexing why such advancements are channeled into conflict rather than cooperation.
b. Defensive and Offensive Capabilities: The balance between offensive and defensive capabilities is a critical factor in war. Earth’s nations invest heavily in both aspects, creating a perpetual cycle of innovation and countermeasures.

• The Impact on Society
The societal effects of war on Earth are extensive and profound. Observing these consequences from an alien perspective has helped us better understand the human experience.
a. Displacement and Refugees: The displacement of entire populations due to war is disconcerting. The sheer number of Earth’s refugees struggling to find safety and security reflects the magnitude of conflict’s impact.
b. Environmental Damage: The collateral damage to Earth’s environment caused by war is troubling. We place a high value on planetary ecosystems and find it perplexing that Earth’s inhabitants would willingly harm their own home in exchange for dominance.
c. Technological Advancement: Paradoxically, as I’ve mentioned previously, war has driven some of Earth’s most significant technological advancements, including minor advancements in space exploration and medical innovations. This duality of destruction and progress raises questions about the overall cost of war to Earth’s societies.

• The Role of Leadership
Leadership plays a pivotal role in the initiation, escalation, and resolution of wars on Earth. It is essential to examine the motivations and decision-making processes of Earth’s leaders.
a. Political Leaders: Earth’s political leaders often shape the trajectory of wars. We have been curious about the factors that lead to these decisions and the interplay between personal ambition and the welfare of their populations.
b. Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution: The absence of effective diplomacy in preventing and resolving conflicts is puzzling. The failure of Earth’s leaders to find peaceful solutions to their differences raises questions about the efficacy of your political systems.

• The Human Experience
From an alien perspective, we can only glimpse the surface of the human experience during war. We observe the suffering and resilience of individuals, the bonds formed in times of crisis, and the capacity for both cruelty and compassion.
a. The Human Spirit: The resilience of Earth’s inhabitants in the face of adversity is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. This is a facet of war that we can appreciate, even if we don’t fully understand the motivation behind it.
b. Cultural Responses: The diverse cultural responses to war on Earth are both intriguing and heartrending. The art, literature, and music that emerge from these periods are a testament to human creativity and the ability to find beauty even in the darkest times.
c. Ethical Dilemmas: The moral dilemmas faced by individuals involved in war are thought-provoking. The challenges to one’s personal values and ethics in the heat of conflict are experiences that we find difficult to relate to.

Conclusion
Observing Earth’s conflicts from our perspective, I am left with more questions than answers. While we lack the emotional and cultural context to fully understand the motivations and consequences of human warfare, our unbiased exploration has unveiled the complexities and nuances that shape these conflicts. The root causes, technological advancements, societal impacts, leadership roles, and the human experience all play vital roles in the intricate tapestry of war on Earth. I have however witnessed how your currencies influence and motivate wars for reasons that we find highly unethical and would be doubtful that it is supported by the majority of human but rather by a very small minority of high influential ones.

Throughout the centuries we have monitored your conflicts closely and secretly intervened when necessary, we will continue our studies and exploration to foster a deeper understanding of the nature of conflict on Earth. This is where I will require your input and comments to help us fully grasp the motivations that arise within the human experience when it comes to the inclination towards war.
In the meantime, we encourage humanity to continue seeking peaceful resolutions and to strive for a world where war is a historical artifact rather than an ongoing reality. After all, in the grand scheme of the universe, unity and cooperation are values that resonate with us far more than the devastation of war.

Peace and Love,

P.a.L