this post was submitted on 07 Sep 2023
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Showerthoughts

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A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. The best ones are thoughts that many people can relate to and they find something funny or interesting in regular stuff.

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[–] bernieecclestoned@sh.itjust.works -1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

I'm sure plenty of Ukrainians thought the same pre invasion. Seen a fair few IT technicians flying fpv drones on the frontline

Plus, just working in a munitions factory makes you a target, and Russia has been indiscriminate in their targeting the civilian population

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I doubt I would suddenly get brave if the U.S. was invaded. I've never even picked up a gun.

[–] ApathyTree@lemmy.dbzer0.com 8 points 1 year ago

I served in the military and qualified as an expert marksman having never handled a firearm prior, and I wouldn’t honestly pick up a gun to kill anyone either. I’m also a coward. I found a role that would ensure I was as safe as possible at all times, cuz I’m a pacifist, but wanted college paid for. I’d have had to explicitly request to be put in danger, which I did not do.

The good news is you don’t have to be willing to shoot/kill anyone to offer tangible support if shit hits the fan :)

(I actively discourage people from joining the military now, though.. I grew up and learned what was really going on, and I absolutely don’t support it)

[–] Not_mikey@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I feel like most ukrainians aren't fighting for democracy. They're kleptocracy is marginally better than the one in Russia, but not worth dying over. Their fighting either for nationalism and hatred of Russian imperialism that's oppressed them for centuries, or personal honor and fear of being called a coward by their wider social group.

In general nationalism and personal honor are the main reasons people will voluntarily sign up, outside of personal gain and mercenaries. In the west that nationalism gets tied up with ideas of democracy, but if a dictatorship took over the u.s. I doubt there'd be much of a difference in volunteers for the next war.

survey research from the MOBILISE Project reveals a staggering 35 percentage-point rise in Ukrainians’ support for democracy over just three years. Ukrainians moved toward greater support for democracy between 2019 and 2022 precisely because ordinary citizens were able to observe democracy in action and working even in the face of major compounding crises

https://www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/why-ukrainians-are-rallying-around-democracy/