Predicting the Likelihood of World War 3: A Scientific Perspective

  • Thread starter Thread starter MathematicalPhysicist
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
The discussion centers on predictions regarding the timing and causes of the next world war. Participants express various speculative dates, ranging from 2010 to 2035, with some humorously suggesting absurd scenarios. A significant shift in the conversation occurs when the focus turns to the potential causes of a world war, emphasizing the role of nationalism and propaganda in destabilizing peace. There is a debate over whether regional conflicts, particularly in the Middle East, could escalate into a global war, with some arguing that current geopolitical stability makes a world war unlikely in the near future. Others contend that the nature of warfare has evolved, suggesting that the ongoing conflicts could already be considered a form of world war, albeit different from traditional large-scale battles. The conversation highlights concerns about political leaders and their influence on global peace, as well as the complexities of defining what constitutes a world war.
  • #31
loop quantum gravity said:
perhaps you have forgotten of usa invasion to iraq, with britain and other allies.
if that isn't considered an occasion for a world war, i really don't know what is.

Whoa, tell that to the leftwingers around here. Supposedly we went in alone... so i don't know what you're talking about :P
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #32
cronxeh said:
I was wondering about something. If there was an individual or a group of individuals who would use propaganda and other lowtech techniques to subdue large masses into nationalism and destabilize the world peace, won't it be easier to simple assassinate each of those individuals, rather than actually wage a WW3 whereas more people would die?

The problem is of course that that, by itself, is a fascist technique !

However, when you say:
individual or a group of individuals who would use propaganda and other lowtech techniques to subdue large masses into nationalism and destabilize the world peace

doesn't someone in particular come to mind ?
 
  • #33
Astronuc said:
Not while I am alive. :cool:
I don't think a world war is possible in the forseeable future (50-100 years). The global geopolitical state is far too stable for one to happen.
 
  • #34
loop quantum gravity said:
perhaps you have forgotten of usa invasion to iraq, with britain and other allies.
if that isn't considered an occasion for a world war, i really don't know what is.
A world war has major world powers on both sides of the fight.
 
  • #35
Cronxeh said:
I was wondering about something. If there was an individual or a group of individuals who would use propaganda and other lowtech techniques to subdue large masses into nationalism and destabilize the world peace, won't it be easier to simple assassinate each of those individuals, rather than actually wage a WW3 whereas more people would die?
I almost forgot about this. Refer to Hassan-i-Sabbah.
 
  • #36
Gotta finish WW Zero first --- started around 700 AD, and still going.
 
  • #37
27th November 2008, bring your own gun.
 
  • #38
loseyourname said:
It does seem a little disingenuous, or at least Eurocentric, to call WWI a 'world' war, but at least WWII took place in both hemispheres and on three continents (four if you count Pearl Harbor and Midway as part of North America). (snip)

Aleutians, California, Pac. NW balloon bombs, Darwin --- let's make it five continents.
 
  • #39
yesterday is when it will happen
 
  • #40
loseyourname said:
It does seem a little disingenuous, or at least Eurocentric, to call WWI a 'world' war,...

Countries involved in WWI

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4f/WWI-re.png/800px-WWI-re.png

Fighting took place all over the European Empires, including Africa, Asia en Oceania. There was even the threat of Mexico joining the war as a German ally, which was one of the reasons that Wilson asked congress to declare war (as was still done it those times :rolleyes: )
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #41
russ_watters said:
A world war has major world powers on both sides of the fight.

If that is the case, then it will start when we invade Iran. China and Russia have both thrown in their lot with the Iranians, and I think it is likely they would side with them in an armed conflict.

Is that the actual definition of a world war? I don't have my webster's on hand.

I'd make the case it has already begun. We are fighting thousands of individuals scattered world wide who do not fight under a national banner, rather one of radical islam. These so called terrorists have carried out attacks on at least four continents in multiple nations (USA,UK, Canada (Thwarted), Spain, Germany (thwarted), Indonesia, Australia, Israel).

These attacks have roused the attention of many nations, as evidenced by the mutlinational force that invaded iraq.

Granted this war is different than any other we have fought before, but I think this is going to be the trend for the indefinite future. The days of large standing armies going to war in a battlefield are over. Small skirmishes in urban areas are going to be the norm.

In my mind it is clear, we are living in world war 3 but nobody has dared call it that yet.
 
  • #42
What do you mean by WW0? My history is hopeless...
 
  • #43
future isn't looking so bright either
 
  • #44
Dimitri Terryn said:
Countries involved in WWI

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4f/WWI-re.png/800px-WWI-re.png

Fighting took place all over the European Empires, including Africa, Asia en Oceania. There was even the threat of Mexico joining the war as a German ally, which was one of the reasons that Wilson asked congress to declare war (as was still done it those times :rolleyes: )
This map is not clear. Which colours denote the involved countries ? If hope it's not the orange ones because that would be incomplete. Here is a better list : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I

marlon
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #45
A while ago I posted "never"...

I am changing that statement now.

Novermber 17, 2009
 
  • #46
History may well say that it started March 19, 2003.
 
  • #47
Integral said:
History may well say that it started March 19, 2003.
That's around the time that we first dropped our bombs on Baghdad... :rolleyes:
 
  • #48
Yep, The Iraq war is far from over and may well get MUCH worse before it gets any better.. Georgie boy has opened a real can of worms, now .. can he get us out??
 
  • #49
Integral said:
Yep, The Iraq war is far from over and may well get MUCH worse before it gets any better.. Georgie boy has opened a real can of worms, now .. can he get us out??

We already know his exit strategy: He leaves office in Jan, 2009.
 
  • #50
With any luck his next term will be 5-10.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
2K
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
3K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
5K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
4K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K