RomeoStevens comments on When None Dare Urge Restraint, pt. 2 - Less Wrong

56 Post author: Jay_Schweikert 30 May 2012 03:28PM

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Comment author: RomeoStevens 30 May 2012 10:21:28PM -2 points [-]

How does air superiority protect you? Is that the question? It reliably does, the fact that modern empires are too chickenshit/stupid to use it correctly doesn't mean it doesn't work.

http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Air_Power/vietnam/AP40.htm

Comment author: TheOtherDave 30 May 2012 10:53:03PM 3 points [-]

I am now confused.

It sounds like you are saying:
a) conventional air superiority is a reliable way of being left alone by barbarians, and
b) a credible deadman-switch doomsday device is the only way to be left alone by barbarians

I also believe:
c) conventional air superiority is not a credible deadman-switch doomsday device,

It seems that at least one of those statements must be false.

Comment author: RomeoStevens 30 May 2012 10:58:45PM -2 points [-]

there are two types of barbarians, the kind that take a nuke seriously (current nation states) and the kind that are just insane. You use conventional means against the latter. you get supplied with conventional means by the former.