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by ceejayoz 1355 days ago
I am both baffled and relieved that most terrorists seem to lack creativity.
3 comments

Typically if you’re creative and smart enough to attempt certain horrific things, that seems to be self limiting. Those who can’t, don’t want to, for various reasons, and those who want to and would, can’t. It’s fascinating.

Where that gets dangerous is when the horror under discussion becomes democratised. TATP is simple to synthesise (though incredibly dangerous when done clandestinely), and so we saw a rise of bombings and attempted bombings using it as that knowledge spread, for example.

Every-one needs to be a hero in their own head.

So you are fairly safe. You can only fall victim to heroic terrorist attacks.

But not as safe as that sounds. It is about being a hero according to the attackers head cannon, not your head cannon.

Terrorist attacks are down stream from culture. Keep an eye on what movies, novels, religions, and preachers call heroic. The terrorist attacks of 2052 will be distorted versions of what is heroic today.

I don't think its creativity limiting the actions, its factors of capability, reliability and gullibility of those carrying out the actions.

Batman style "poisoning the water supply" isnt really a viable option due to the complexities of pulling it off successfully.

Anyone who is not directly involved in the various things like water supply doesn’t realize all the safety measures and such that in place to prevent accidental contamination- which also help detect and prevent intentional damage.

The total number of terrorists is small, and their ability is limited. But that may not always be the case.

Exactly this.
Something something fluoridation of water supplies . . . precious bodily fluids.