Jan Panteltje wrote:
Thomas 'PointedEars' Lahn wrote
A distinct possibility, but not the only one. Consider where human
civilization could be if it had progressed from the ancient civilizations,
without the (probably unintentional but still careless) burning of the
Library of Alexandria by the Romans under Julius Caesar, without
the Dark Ages, the Inquisition, all the small wars and the two World Wars.

Interesting viewpoint,.
I do however think it is just those periods of war
where technology significantly advanced.

That is a common argument, but it does not convince me.

We see in WW2 for example V1 V1, invention of microwave radar (magnetron),
basically one part of the species trying to outsmart the other part.
War being part of evolution,

It is not. It is *a* way for the development of a species, but it certainly
is not the best way as it can easily lead to the species’ extinction by
self-destruction.

For example, you cannot possibly believe that the slaughtering of millions
of humans because they were considered to not be worthy of living would be
in any way an evolution of the species.

Had not two humans come to their senses in the Cuba Crisis, we would not be
here, and had not two other humans, one who is, I think rightfully, honored
for those efforts these days, come to their senses in the nuclear race, we
might not be here.

And you have neglected to consider all the discoveries and inventions that
make everyday life easier that were made in times of peace.

The Germans burned many books.. yet their submarines and missiles were a game changer.

It were the Nazis, not the Germans, who did this. As a German, I strongly
object to your oversimplifying description. (I hope) we (as a people) have
learned our lesson from our history: Never again!

--
PointedEars

Twitter: @PointedEars2
Please do not cc me. / Bitte keine Kopien per E-Mail.