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In reply to the discussion: Richard Engel Is Very, Very Sad About U.S. Leaving Afghanistan [View all]PA Democrat
(13,225 posts)6. Chris Hedges described this addiction to the adrenaline rush and exhilaration of war
experienced by many members of the military as well as journalists reporting from war zones in his 2002 book War is a Force that gives Us Meaning.
I read his book n 2003 because I was so angry and saddened by our invasion of Iraq. The book is even more relevant today as a frame through which to view he 20 years the US spent in Afghanistan and the current criticisms of the withdrawal by the architects of the war and those who reported on it.
There is a great summary of the book here:
https://www.supersummary.com/war-is-a-force-that-gives-us-meaning/summary/
Below is an excerpt:
Hedges explores his own profession, offering a sobering perspective on the role the media plays in supporting the cause of war. This ties back to the mythical nature of war, and he uses the Gulf War of the 1990s as an example of the ways the media and notes that journalistsincluding himselfalways believe the cause of their nation is justified. He argues that this belief is the same whether the cause is religious or secular in nature, and that reporters are part of the machinery that keeps nations going to war.
Hedges ends the book with a study of the effects that the narcotic of war has on individuals. He uses his own experience with soldiers and other journalists to underscore the addictive nature of war, describing the rush of adrenaline and euphoria that can accompany battles and the deep lows that follow after the mind and body crash after the excitement. This is very similar what a drug addict experiencesintense highs followed by dreadful lows that can, in the short term, only be cured by chasing another high. He notes the prevalence of drug use and addiction among soldiers and how it intensifies when they return home, seeking to replicate their experiences.
Hedges book is a singular work that studies war not from a military or tactical point of view, but as a psychological phenomenon. His arguments that myth is essential to warfare and that manipulation of nationalist and ethnic identities to perpetuate itand that individuals enjoy war in complex ways that may be difficult to explainare innovative ways of pondering why civilizations spend so much blood and treasure fighting each other.
Hedges ends the book with a study of the effects that the narcotic of war has on individuals. He uses his own experience with soldiers and other journalists to underscore the addictive nature of war, describing the rush of adrenaline and euphoria that can accompany battles and the deep lows that follow after the mind and body crash after the excitement. This is very similar what a drug addict experiencesintense highs followed by dreadful lows that can, in the short term, only be cured by chasing another high. He notes the prevalence of drug use and addiction among soldiers and how it intensifies when they return home, seeking to replicate their experiences.
Hedges book is a singular work that studies war not from a military or tactical point of view, but as a psychological phenomenon. His arguments that myth is essential to warfare and that manipulation of nationalist and ethnic identities to perpetuate itand that individuals enjoy war in complex ways that may be difficult to explainare innovative ways of pondering why civilizations spend so much blood and treasure fighting each other.
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Seems he could have his pick of the civil wars going on now in Myanmar and Ethiopia
Klaralven
Aug 2021
#12
Chris Hedges described this addiction to the adrenaline rush and exhilaration of war
PA Democrat
Aug 2021
#6
As if Engel will have any problem, finding another war to to fill his wallet and ego. (nt)
Paladin
Aug 2021
#8
And every solution to Biden's "mistakes" these pundits and superannuated military commanders...
MrModerate
Aug 2021
#51
It is infuriating. As far as legacy goes, it doesn't matter though. Joe will go down in
KPN
Aug 2021
#52
I watched about two or thee minutes of him yesterday afternoon. He was disgusting. Everyone....
George II
Aug 2021
#13
Get happy Engel. Pack up and get your ass over toAfghanistan, there's nothing holding you here but
Autumn
Aug 2021
#14
Engel's highly meta meditations on the universe of reporterdom is kind of niche-y for my tastes.
MrModerate
Aug 2021
#22
Wow, cut the guy some slack. He is emotionally vested in these people being left behind. This was
Pisces
Aug 2021
#29
He's a person who is emotionally compromised by what he's seen and experienced. It's not some
Pisces
Aug 2021
#56
I was stunned by that quote and the fact that he said he saw, before the invasion, that an Iraq war
karynnj
Aug 2021
#49
I'm predicting he'll find a nice position at Fox, badmouthing democrats. His career demands it
ffr
Aug 2021
#34
With Trump's Syria shit show, Engel acted "concerned" about canceling the US military's "policing"
ancianita
Aug 2021
#37
All I can think of now when I see him is Roland B. Hedley from Doonesbury. Nt
Fiendish Thingy
Aug 2021
#39
I'm really trying to reserve judgement. His coverage of the border mess under 45 was excellent.
Evolve Dammit
Aug 2021
#41
Just like it's always 5 pm somewhere for happy hour...there's always a war somewhere
AngryOldDem
Aug 2021
#46