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About this quote

What does it mean?
Weapons of war rely on human agency; without a driver, they are powerless.
In plain terms
Tanks are powerful but need a person to operate them.
What can you take from it?
Technology alone cannot act without human choice.

Where it applies

  • anti-war protests
  • policy debates
  • ethics

Putting it to work

  • question military tech
  • emphasize human cost
  • advocate disarmament

Questions to consider

  • Who is responsible for weapons?
  • Can machines wage war?

Another view

Autonomous weapons might change this dynamic.

More from Bertolt Brecht

  1. Their peace and their war Are like wind and storm. War grows from their peace.

    Permalink to quote #61
  2. General, man is very useful. He can fly and he can kill. But he has one defect: He can think.

    Permalink to quote #63
  3. Little changes are the enemies of great changes.

    Permalink to quote #60

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