The Future of Violence - Robots and Germs, Hackers and Drones: Confronting the New Age of Threat by Benjamin Wittes and Gabriella Blum
| The Future of Violence - Robots and Germs, Hackers and Drones: Confronting the New Age of Threat by Benjamin Wittes and Gabriella Blum | |
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| Category: Politics and Society | |
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Reviewer: Louise Jones
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| Summary: Individuals now have access to technology that can do terrible harm. How can governments and law-makers counter this new age of threat? | |
| Buy? yes | Borrow? yes |
| Pages: 336 | Date: March 2016 |
| Publisher: Amberley Publishing | |
| ISBN: 9781445655934 | |
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Looking back over this month, April 2017, the news has been full of terrorist attacks perpetrated by lone individuals. A suicide bombing on the St Petersburg Metro killed 15 people and injured 64 more. In Stockholm, Sweden, a hijacked truck steered into a pedestrian shopping area and department store. Most recently, a shooting in Paris just two days ago, claimed the life of a police officer and injured several others. Whilst it is true that governments have access to impressive, cutting-edge technology to combat terrorism, it is also a fact that these resources are becoming increasingly available to individuals. At what cost?
The Future of Violence examines the implications of easy access to the latest technology by individuals intent on hurting others. Recent advancements in drone technology, computer networks and even DNA synthesis gives criminals an unparalleled arsenal that can be used to inflict harm in a number of ways. Nowadays, we may need to be more concerned about the lone hacker about to launch a cyber attack from his bedroom than we do about governments wielding weapons of mass destruction.
The book looks at current legislation and how it is woefully inadequate at dealing with current threats, as technology is in a constantly evolving state. Create a law to regulate the use of one type of technology, and by the time that law has been passed, another type of technology has replaced the previous one. Social media is a good example of something that is constantly adapting and changing, with the law forever panting behind, trying to keep up.
The chapter on Rethinking Privacy, Liberty and Security provides plenty of food for thought. Benjamin Franklin famously said that Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase just a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. Is this statement true in today's world, or is the collection of sensitive information by Big Brother a necessary sacrifice in order to protect the populace from greater evils?
It is clear that prevention of these emerging threats will prove to be difficult, but the book does make some interesting suggestions on how such a feat may be possible. By making the links in the chain more culpable, we can expect that each component will be more willing to do its part to prevent abuses. For example, every cyber attack has to go through an ISP, so getting the Internet Service Providers to take more responsibility for any crimes committed through their services may be a useful first step. Though it's clear that there is no 'one size fits all' solution, it is vital that governments and authorities do what they can to ensure the safety of the people in this rapidly changing world. Many thanks to the publishers for my review copy of this thought-provoking book.
For an entertaining, but entirely fictional account of what could happen in the aftermath of a cyber attack, Bookbag enjoyed The Edge of Madness by Michael Dobbs.
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You can read more book reviews or buy The Future of Violence - Robots and Germs, Hackers and Drones: Confronting the New Age of Threat by Benjamin Wittes and Gabriella Blum at Amazon.com.
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