a decline in rates of PTSD among human soldiers—which is nice

‘Nice’ in a very limited way, I suppose.  Traditionally the politicians who send soldiers into war have not suffered from PTSD, and that is all that matters to them.

The pols make a half-hearted effort to avoid war, it fails, they say; “Oh well, whaddya gonna do?” and send off our soldiers.  I would like to see as much effort developing ways of avoiding war as in ways to expand it. 

Incidentally, the mental health of the people on the other side is important too.  I have seen reports that suggest kids growing up in war zones suffer PTSD and that tells me they are all the more likely to become tomorrow’s terrorists. 

In the long run we won’t solve terrorism with weapons, no matter how advanced.  We need an advance in how not to have a war in the first place, hence the reason I’d like to see all the costs of every war toted up.

Over at Gran’s On Bran, is a good example of the cost that is not counted:  Somme Day

Well, you already know that one of the advantages of robotic soldiers would be a decline in rates of PTSD among human soldiers—which is nice.

Downsides? Hmmm. . . expensive; break-downs (of the equipment); control issues; further de-personification of the enemy; anything else?