Sociologist Sylvaine Bulle analyzes in Le Monde how the massacres of October 7, 2023, generated a collective trauma in Israel that has led to an uninhibited and institutionalized military response against Palestinians. According to the author, this mechanism of violence has become normalized as a tool of control and repression, leaving an indelible mark on Israeli society and the population of Gaza.
Surveillance technology and algorithmic control 🤖
The conflict has accelerated the deployment of mass surveillance systems, including AI-powered reconnaissance drones and facial recognition software at checkpoints. These tools, developed by Israeli startups, allow for identifying targets with questionable precision. The use of algorithms to track movements and communications has created an ecosystem of control that operates with minimal human oversight, amplifying the capacity for harm without ethical filters.
The drone that couldn't see beyond its own trauma 😅
It seems the collective trauma also affected the algorithms of surveillance drones. According to unconfirmed sources, a next-generation drone started confusing tents with enemy tanks and children with missiles. Engineers corrected the error by updating the software with an update called the Compassion Patch, which apparently wasn't installed because it took up too much memory. After all, in war, even drones have bad days.