Revolution

“They say that the best weapon is the one you never have to fire. I respectfully disagree. I prefer the weapon you only have to fire once. That's how Dad did it, that's how America does it, and it's worked out pretty well so far. Find an excuse to let [Jericho] off the chain, and I personally guarantee, the bad guys won't even wanna come out of their caves”

This is a line by Tony Stark, CEO of the multibillion-dollar weapons production company Stark Industries, from the popular marvel movie Iron Man. Based on this concept, his company created Jericho, a weapon much more destructive than any other, in the hopes that it would allow the US to draw concessions with their enemy. I feel that this mindset, and the idea where “peace means having a bigger stick than the other guy” (also another quote from Stark) really reflect our attitudes towards revolutions, an idea, which, sadly, indicates the presence and use of violence.

Yes, there have been a few revolutions that were achieved through non-violent methods such as the Indian Independence movement led by Gandhi. But I think now, and in the future, technology is so advanced, versatile and available to all, the means and the power are no longer solely in the hands of a certain group of people, and people have the ability to act. And the many systems and establishments we’ve created have become more intricate, so a lot more is at stake. Thus, humans have a greater tendency to become violent and aggressive than ever before, and in the future they would become even more violent and aggressive. Although violence is not necessary for change, it is inevitable.