War on wire - in vein or vain?

From the beginning of civilisation, mankind has been at war with the world around it. First a fight with animals, then between men, between tribes, between classes and later between countries - all for survival and possession. Weapons have evolved from sticks, stones, bows and arrows swords and shields to guns, bombs, nuclear weapons, lasers, even chemical and bioligical weapons. We have heard of valour in old times but the recent trend is vengence over wire.

We live in a global village. In this world of internet, we can chat, browse and stalk throughout the world in seconds. As we gain access, so are we accessible - more vulnerable all over the world.

Everyday, newspapsers and magazines carry tales of new types of crime committed through computers. We hear of hackers and stalkers who erase our files, use e-mail for blackmailing, and convert on-line stalking into off-line terror. Sometimes it may be a prankster but it could be more serious.

This violation of one's privacy - the violation of all civilised practices without any reason by an unknown person - is the most terrifying phenomenon of this e-world.

War, which once meant fighting and physical aggression, is now defined as "an attempt to wear down or demoralise an opponent by psyhcological means" - a war on one's nerves.

It is no longer physical abuse by a known enemy for a known cause - it is an unknown enemy, unseen who is capable of intruding into your mind for reasons unknown?

Will our files be sabotaged by suddenly virus? Who is our opponent? Why were we chosen for the attack? Are we singled out or are we one among others will the threats be carried out in real? Or is it just terror tactics? Is there is cause/reason for such an onslaught or sabotage?

The uncertainty, the suddenness of the trapping by unfair, unethical means of an advanced medium of communication makes us think "Is war in our vein or in vain?"

Is war an instinct or invention? This intrusion, aggression and abuse of a useful system needs to be tackled legally as fast as possible.

The remark of H.G. Wells in his Outline of History that "Human history becomes more and more a race between education and catastrophe" rings true today or does it click correct? Better part of valour is discretion - Let us be wise in our choice of channels and lines!

A. THARUNA PRABHA, IX F

VELAMMAL MATRIC. H. S. SCHOOL, Chennai

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