[cptcobalt]

That is a horrifying idea.

I figure if a human is operating a "remote gun" the relative psychological impact would be similar why casinos have you bet with poker chips instead of actual cash—you may be more likely to pull the trigger, because the impact won't be as real to you. (I wonder if there's any data or studies around things like this?)

[mrguyorama]

For drone pilots, it's rumored they actually have a lot of PTSD. You may be looking at a screen and ignore the situation now, but for healthy humans, killing someone will ALWAYS come back to haunt you, even if it's entirely justified like in self defense.

[s1artibartfast]

I think that is pretty speculative. I think a large portion on the population would not be haunted by killing others in a wide range of justified situations, particularly when it comes to defending themselves or family from a credible threat.

[thinkmcfly]

Yeah they did horrible and largely unjustified shit. This just sounds like natural consequences

[foxyv]

To be honest, I think I would be more horrified. There is something surreal and disgusting about the thought of killing in such a way. Similar to the horror of the Rube Goldbergesque devices used in the Saw films. However, if you put it through a filter to make it look like a game and pull and Ender's Game on the user, you may get the psychological distancing you mention.

[hacoo]

Not necessarily - PTSD is an issue among drone pilots.

[c22]

Imagine putting one of these things on a twitch plays.