If The Dead Could Speak (Survivor bias and our memories of war)

Photo under license: Wikimedia Commons

In remembering those who fought and died in the wars that have been fought over the last few hundred years it is important to consider what they might say if they could.

We have a bias that is called the survivor bias. We gather information about something from the people and things that live. We know this to be true because of research during World War 2. During the war data was being collected on planes returning from battle so that reinforcements could be made to the aircraft. They identified the areas that had the most bullet holes. These areas were being considered for reinforcing armour.

Photo: Under License Wikimedia Commons

It was a Abraham Wald who recognized that the data should be collected from the aircraft that did not make it home. These aircraft were likely hit in engines, cockpit and tail. Reinforcements were made in these areas. The heart of the aircraft. 

What areas would need reinforcement in the human so that we could mitigate going to war in the first place? What skills, attributes and values need reinforcing. If the dead could speak they would likely tell us to some important things related to the heart of man.

Part of every soldier that comes back from war has died. We need to listen to that part of them, regardless of how painful it is for us to hear.