War Virtually

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This book offers a critical examination of how the US military is harnessing technology and data for modern warfare, urging resistance against these developments. It narrates the race among scientists, programmers, and engineers to create data-driven technologies for virtual conflicts, both domestically and internationally. Roberto J. González provides a compelling account of the autonomous weapons, robotic systems, predictive modeling software, advanced surveillance programs, and psychological operations that are reshaping military engagement. As a cultural anthropologist, González challenges the techno-utopian perspective that these innovations promise less deadly and more efficient warfare. The text reveals the complex high-tech foundations of contemporary military operations and the cultural beliefs that support them. Key topics include automated battlefield robotics, the role of social scientists in defense research, the merging of political consulting and propaganda in the digital age, and the military's use of big data for counterinsurgency strategies. González also highlights the troubling collaboration between the Pentagon and major tech companies, suggesting a future where firms like Google and Amazon could align with leading defense contractors. The book presents a stark vision of an algorithm-driven future, where emerging military technologies pose risks to democratic governance and human survival.