Rules for winning the Nobel peace prize

[Squeezer]

I never argued that first-hand experience isn't beneficial, just that it's not strictly necessary. You seem to think that it is, so if I can provide an example of an established war strategist or philosopher that never served as a soldier, will you agree that first-hand soldiering experience isn't necessary to have informed opinions about war?

Edit: for reference:

Maybe not necessary, but I would rather have someone that has had experience. If I was to listen to someone about war, I would prefer a first hand experience. It's possible to be a good general without ever actually fighting in a war, I suppose. I'd still rather go with the guy that has seen fighting personally (a guy that knows the toll of war on every individual like Eisenhower). Whatever though, part of the reason the president is the head of our military forces is because he should maintain a cool head in situations where we may have to fight. The one thing about soldiers is that they're trained to fight, so they usually want to fight to solve things.

You don't need experience to have an opinion. Does that mean your opinion will be well regarded? Probably not. Do you think Colin Powell and GWB or Dick Cheney were on the same page when it came to waging war?

edit: or for another perspective, would I be listened to if talked about "the morality of war" if I was sitting around a table with a group of veterans? Or do you think they would tell me I don't know what I'm talking about? What about if I started spouting off the best ways to advance on an enemy?

[Galleleo]

itt: All Finnish males know more about war than others.

[Squeezer]

itt: All Finnish males know more about war than others.

No because your dumb army doesn't fight in anything that counts.

[Mattey]

itt: All Finnish males know more about war than others.

Thank you for summing up why squeezer's point is retarded. The only thing finnish males know more about is crippling depression

[Galleleo]

No because your dumb army doesn't fight in anything that counts.

First of all, I ain't Finnish, so don't be a stereotypical dumbass American, because I know you're not.

Second of all:

They all have to finish basic training (aka training on how to survive and handle harsh conditions) don't they? War is about fighting and surviving. Those are the two things they cover in heavy detail during basic.

All Finnish males have to go through basic training, thus according to your logic, they know more about war and shit than you do.

[Mattey]

First of all, I ain't Finnish, so don't be a stereotypical dumbass American, because I know you're not.

Looks like danish males know more about having no sense of humor whatsoever.

[Squeezer]

Thank you for summing up why squeezer's point is retarded. The only thing finnish males know more about is crippling depression

haha okay. Keep thinking you know about war. You know man, you know!

[Mattey]

Yeah, women can't know anything about war, and men can't have opinions about abortion! You just lost the game.

[Squeezer]

First of all, I ain't Finnish, so don't be a stereotypical dumbass American, because I know you're not.

Second of all:



All Finnish males have to go through basic training, thus according to your logic, they know more about war and shit than you do.

They are better trained to survive than I am. They do not know more about war. Also, lighten up buddy all you central euros are the same anyway .

Mantra-bramileoplacediderz.

[Squeezer]

Yeah, women can't know anything about war, and men can't have opinions about abortion! You just lost the game.

Lol. I told you, you can have opinions about things. But don't assume that you are more intuitive about the demands of carrying and having a baby than a woman is. She knows what its like to have a baby inside her, the pains, the agony, the joy. You don't. You never will. That's experience and intuition you'll never have. She will know something you don't. Why are you so afraid to accept that your opinion might be baseless in some situations?

For instance I'd rather listen to my girlfriend about what a woman goes through during pregnancy or abortion than you. I'd trust her more as a source, because she'd actually have gone through it.

[Mattey]

Because first-hand experience isn't the be-all end-all of knowledge about a subject. The fact that you think it is, makes me think you've never taken a proper logic class. Anecdotal evidence is what baseless opinions are formed upon.

[Galleleo]

Great, being called Finnish and Danish in a space of 4 posts...

And people wonder why there is so much stereotyping on Americans.

[Mattey]

Look, nobody cares what country you're from. Is that better?

[Squeezer]

Because first-hand experience isn't the be-all end-all of knowledge about a subject. The fact that you think it is, makes me think you've never taken a proper logic class. Anecdotal evidence is what baseless opinions are formed upon.

I don't believe its the be-all-end-all. I just said I value it more than speculation. You can think about the atrocities of war all you want. I do sometimes. I doubt we're all that different in how we've formed our opinions on the subject. We even agree (I'd rather be shot than go off somewhere and shoot others) in purpose, but I don't assume that anything I could think of will ever compare to the real smells, sights and experiences of having that shit happen to me. I also believe I'd come away from that with a better understanding of how a war is waged, on many levels, than if I sat around reading about Alexander the Great or Robert E Lee or Ghengis Khan. Anyone can draw up a battle plan, a general that's been there and done that should know how his soldiers will react. What patches will be rough spots. Where to send soldiers in relief and how exhaustive a battlefield could be. That seems like valuable information that someone could only ascertain from being there.

But keep acting self-important with your opinions. Face it, wealthy white people have very little to contribute to society nowadays. We read a lot. Woopty doo. Very few of us have practical knowledge that would serve the world well beyond the structured existence we've made for ourselves. Like say...in a war.

[Squeezer]

Great, being called Finnish and Danish in a space of 4 posts...

And people wonder why there is so much stereotyping on Americans.

just having a laugh man. Just as you know I'm not simple enough to call Europe a country, I know you're resiliant enough to take a joke.