Hyperventilating over Drone War Technology

Heather Cox Richardson, who is a good historian and a very good analyst on democracy issues, gets a bit over-enthusiastic in this short discussion about Ukraine’s drone strikes spectacular recent drone strikes in Russia. (1)

Drone technology has certainly become an important part of military technology in the last quarter-century. But the idea arguably goes back to Nikola Tesla at the end of the 19th century, when he demonstrated “a four-foot-long model of a torpedo boat.” (2)

Britannica provides a non-embeddable video with a transcript giving the history of “Drones: From World War II to today.”

Drones fly with no human on board. Drones may be piloted remotely, or follow a pre-programmed course. They have been used by the military since World War II, whereas civilian use of drones blossomed in the early 21st century.

At the end of World War II, drones were used as targets. Here, the US Navy launches light, radio-controlled drones in the Pacific, for artillery practice.

Without crew, drones can be far lighter than traditional aircraft. They need no systems for life-support or pilot safety. Thus, military drones can be remarkably efficient, offering substantially greater range and endurance than manned aircraft doing the same work. (3)

Ian Bremmer on the TED YouTube channel joins in the hyperbole, making it sound as though this one set of drone strikes was one of the most pivotal events in the history of warfare. (4)

What’s next, a TED talk by Ian Bremmer on how The Singularity (5) is right around the corner? (That’s a pet obsession for some the TechBro dystopian fantasists.)

Some commentators may need to regulate their caffeine intake more carefully…

Über-Realist John Mearsheimer takes a much more cautious view in this interview from today: (6)

Notes:

(1) Trump, Biden, and the Democrats' Way Forward. Heather Cox Richaardson YouTube channel 06/03/2025. <https://youtu.be/PSC-Ibp_MBA?si=QR0keAQgNBEd0BIf> (Accessed: 2025-04-06).

(2) Piesing, Mark (2024): The Secret History of Drones. Smithsonian Air and Space Museum 09/23/2024. <https://airandspace.si.edu/air-and-space-quarterly/issue-12/secret-history-of-drones> (Accessed: 2025-04-06).

(3) Drones: From World War II to today. Encyclopedia Britannica n/d. <https://www.britannica.com/video/origins-diversification-drones-vehicles-devices-models/-200703> (Accessed: 2025-04-06).

(4) Why Ukraine’s Drone Attack on Russia Changes War Forever-TED Explains the World with Ian Bremmer. TED YouTube channel 06/02/2025. <https://youtu.be/iKdLYuOorE0?si=oqE3DMgT27bhX-yk> (Accessed: 2025-04-06).

(5) Sheposh, Richard (2024): Technological singularity. EBSCO. <https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/computer-science/technological-singularity> (Accessed: 2025-04-06).

Karen Stollznow, Karen (2010): Skepticism and the Singularity. Skeptical Inquirer Online 08/08/2010. <https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/skepticism-and-the-singularity/> (Accessed: 2025-04-06).

Pigliucci, Massimo (2012): Singularity As Pseudoscience. Skeptical Inquirer 2012:6, 16. Pigliucci calls it “the Rapture for nerds.”

(6) John Mearsheimer: Putin to Trump: a Response is Coming! Daniel Davis-Deep Dive YouTube channel 06/04/2025. <https://www.youtube.com/live/gYMSn0Y1jgs?si=AAuY0hLBA0Qi4Y5l> (Accessed: 2025-04-06).