Battleship Reason

Seeing how the internet is buzzing with Obama’s latest prize, I thought it would be appropriate to express one of my worries regarding his Majesty the First Ethnically Diverse President of the Predominantly White United States of Amexica. The reason for such a pompous title is simple – it seems that nearly everyone has erected some kind of a mental pedestal upon which they have subsequently placed the president. Whether this is closing down Guantanamo bay, allowing gays to openly serve in the military, bringing about the long awaited social healthcare, or world peace (at least in the Middle East), the President has appeared to promise something to nearly any interest group, no matter how big or how small. Is it then surprising that the clever fellows over at the Nobel institute thought they ought to get in on the action? Probably not.

However, let us back up for a second – who is actually to blame for all of these promises? Certainly, Obama has indeed made many, but the public itself was more than willing to tackle on extra challenges for the good president. Obama has a heavy cross to bear indeed – not only is he the first president of any shade other than pasty white, he is also the second youngest president of the United States. The first one? Kennedy of course. Let’s hope that youth doesn’t turn out to be a lethal condition. It is Obama’s youth (and a multi million dollar campaign) that has perhaps made him appear this shining beacon of hope for the vast majority of Americans, as well as a significant portion of the world’s population. I personally think that we have too high hopes of Obama. Certainly, he is extremely talented, charming, and resourceful, but he is after all only human. How many presidents have attempted to solve the Middle Eastern dispute? How many have failed (at least in the long term)? Every single one.

The world doesn’t change because of one man, but it changes because that one man inspires hundreds to think and to act differently. Instead of waiting (a bit like loyal hounds) for Obama to sort out the world, maybe we should be the ones to support him and to give him help. Would it truly take that much for us to gather and do our bit for the world? Well, the answer is sadly – yes. We are, after all, lazy creatures who cherish comfort and convenience above all. That’s why people like Obama represent (to us) the best way to fix the world. We think that where we as a collective fail, individuals with vim and vigour can succeed. We know that singular people cannot fix the world, yet we still persist in believing that they can. Is it because we are lazy? Probably.

Therefore, don’t blame Obama for this cult of personality. Blame us, everyday people who want to change things, but without putting in the effort needed to do so.

Why piracy sometimes really doesn’t pay off.

Perhaps inspired by the rise in internet piracy, Somali pirates (of the sea-faring variety) have decided to hoist the flags and man the cannons. Except in this case, they have no cannons. They have jury-rigged boats armed with dubiously trained men carrying elderly AK-47s. If they happen to be carrying cannons, then those cannons probably pose a greater risk to the pirates themselves than the actual intended recipient of their explosive packages. The truth of the matter is – Somali pirates are doomed to extinction. The reasoning behind this – simple – technological gap.

In the example of ye-old piracy, technological gap between the pirates and those chasing them was minimal. Both sides had access to similar shipbuilding, both had access to more or less similar cannons and equipment. Although in general the pirates were not as uniformly armed, they were still capable of giving a hell of a fight. Even internet piracy can be a good example. The only reason why internet pirates have not yet been stamped out is because they can hold their own against their legal counterparts. The more prohibitive measures are invented, the more ways around them are found.

In the case of Somali pirates however, there is no equality. As described before, these are somewhat reckless men who are poorly armed, trying to take over massive vessels. Although they are capable of intimidating merchant shipping, they cannot hold their own against modern combat ships. Actually, never mind combat ships – support ships even! As I’m sure you have read, the ship that the pirates attacked was a command and supply vessel. What this means is that it’s supposed to sit far away from combat, as it is really designed to ferry intelligence staff and rolls of band-aid and ice cream. The fact that the Somme not only fought their attackers but also chased them tells you everything you need to know about how capable those pirates were of tackling a minor military vessel.

So, good luck to the pirates, but I doubt their activities will see them in the next decade or millenium.