Video War (poem) by Ronald W. Hull on AuthorsDen

Video War
by Ronald W. Hull → (All Poetry by Ronald W. Hull)
Friday, July 24, 2026 Rated "G" by the Author.

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There is something in our inner psyche that likes war. Why we like books, movies and video games depicting war so much. Modern warfare uses remote capability more and more. The introduction of AI takes it out of human decision-making and more into the area of probability of success or loss. We are in a dangerous slippery slope to forgetting our humanity in our cruelty to others simply because we don�t like them.

Soldiers at War with the Enemy Ron AI Video War We love to hold our flag up high, Honor our country with our lives. It's them or us in the fight for right, As though it was something divine. Where we got that notion, Is somewhere lost in time, Perhaps, innate aggression, Deep in our predator mind. We love mano to mano struggle, May our hero in the battle succeed. But war has become big business, Built on money, loyalty and greed. We can now do war remotely, From our AI video screens. Not seeing the whites of their eyes, As we blow them to smithereens. Regretting the collateral damage, But not very much; rather deny, After all, they are just the enemy, Terrible, bad people we can’t rely. We practice on our video games, and watch our movies of war. We are always the good guys, With God on our side once more. We all want Star Wars to come, We're bored with cold war politics. Where we can duke it out with evil, Outer space aliens and AI tricks. Or our next-door neighbors, If they don’t readily comply, In our greedy lust for power, Growing as years go by. Copyright 2026 © Ronald W. Hull 7/23/26 You can read and print this poem at my website here.
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Reviewed by Henrik Holmgren

Reviewed on July 26, 2026

You captured the time we live in spot on. The recent years of development in warfare are both impressive and utterly desturbing. Killing people is now a video game in a way it has never been before.

I heard from a friend in Germany that young people now call other people they don't know NPCs. (Non Playable Character) A term used in video games for the other charactars that you can interact with but not play.

Reviewed by John Herlihy

Reviewed on July 25, 2026

It's mano a mano in the Spanish, thus mano to mano struggle. Let's give tradition its proper weight. Otherwise, this piece cuts right to the core of how easily war becomes abstract when distance and technology shield us from its human cost. Your contrast between the old mythic �hero�s struggle� and today�s remote, AI‑driven warfare is sharp and unsettling. The poem reminds me that when conflict becomes entertainment � games, movies, screens � we risk losing the very humanity that should restrain us. A clear, sober message, delivered with your trademark directness. Nicely done on an important topic.

Reviewed by Ruan Mills

Reviewed on July 24, 2026

I think your title hits the nail exactly on the head.
Everything we see is a video of some sort, be it a movie or a news reel... we can't verify any of it for ourselves.
Personally, I don't watch news channels or read papers; they are all sourced from the same propaganda outlet.
I just step back and see what unfolds. It's never quite as it was depicted.

I agree too that video games have played a very dark role in shaping how people view the world ... guiding young minds into a certain mindset; so easy on which to prey at a later date. Heaven help our poor children.
R