Drones | HTX Engelsk A maj 2014
This study guide will help you focus on the topic of drones (droner på dansk). We will show you examples from four texts that cover the topic and focus on the most significant elements that will be relevant for a discussion about drones. In these notes, we will focus on outlines, pros and cons of drones, and the future of drones.
Exam question
This study guide is based on the written exam in English A on HTX from 22nd of May, 2014:
Write an essay, report from the future, contribution to a debate or a news article in which you discuss the topic of drones using the four sources:
I: Attack of the Drones: Is war becoming a video game? (video)
II: The future of drones: Pack mules and camera grenades (video)
III: Armed drones operated from RAF base in UK, says MoD (text)
IV: The BBC's Ed Thomas spoke to some of the people demonstrating (video)
Presentation of the topic
“Drone” is the name usually given to unmanned aerial vehicles, which are primarily used in combat, but also for commercial purposes. Some people argue that some robot vehicles which can be used on land are also a form of drone.
Drones became a topic of debate when they began to be used increasingly in warfare not only as surveillance vehicles but also as weapon carriers. For instance, the US has used drones to eliminate certain terrorist targets in Pakistan. According to the US military and government, the use of drones in combat is motivated by arguments that drones save both military and civilian lives. They are said to save military lives because pilots and soldiers no longer have to enter into open combat with the enemy. They are said to save civilian lives because they can hit specific targets with accuracy. This alleged target accuracy has been contested by others who claim that drones still cause civilian causalities. Furthermore, the use of drones is contested on ethical grounds, because it allows people to kill others who are in other countries, including those which are not at war with the drone user.
Finally, the use of drones for commercial purposes in civilian society is also contested on the grounds that it paves the way to a surveillance society, a society in which people are constantly being watched.
