johnmatrix84
johnmatrix84 t1_jbvv1k0 wrote
Reply to comment by Draskinn in More than 200 people have been treated with experimental CRISPR therapies by rherbom2k
The Chinese are going to have much bigger problems in the next couple decades to worry about than winning medals.
johnmatrix84 t1_j70oxc5 wrote
Reply to Would you live in a "Floating City"? by jfd0037
I don't want to live in a city, floating or land-based.
johnmatrix84 t1_iy9b0u1 wrote
Reply to comment by _baundiesel_ in China is now using advanced 3D-printing tech in its warplanes by Gari_305
A big problem for the Chinese military is the fact that they are controlled by the authoritarian Communist Party. They have political officers whose job is to enforce loyalty to the Party and its ideology. One of the primary stated goals of the military is to keep the Party in power. Shit like this causes a significant reduction in combat readiness/effectiveness, due to time and effort that could've been used on improving the military instead being spent on ensuring compliance with the Party's political ideas and constant lying to cover your ass so the secret police don't make you disappear. Historical examples are abundant - the Soviet Union before, during and after WWII, Russia after the Cold War, Iraq during the Gulf War and the 2003 US invasion, etc.
I remember reading a report from an Iraqi officer who was in charge of a motor pool or something. They had a bunch of Humvee or Jeep-equivalent trucks, and most of them didn't work because they'd broken down and the Iraqis couldn't get spare parts for them. One of Saddam's sons was going to be conducting an inspection, so the officer made sure every vehicle looked clean and had a fresh coat of paint - to make it look like they were well-maintained. Saddam's son arrived for the inspection, and he wanted to start up one of the vehicles. The one he picked didn't run. The officer expected to be arrested, but instead Saddam's son told him to keep it quiet, since he'd already lied and told Saddam that the vehicles were all in perfect condition.
johnmatrix84 t1_jdv1w5l wrote
Reply to People aged 16-29 in low-skilled jobs are 49% more likely to be surveilled at work. by PuzzBat9019
Cameras, cops, restraining orders, etc. do absolutely nothing to stop a criminal determined to harm you.