We all worry about the threat of terrorism but should we? | Stephen Coleman | TEDxCanberra

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Stephen Coleman examines the threat of global terrorism and its affect on public policy. But what are the real risks of terrorism to the public? His response is surprising.
Stephen works in a diverse range of areas in applied ethics, includ­ing mil­i­tary ethics, police ethics, med­ical ethics, space ethics and the prac­ti­cal appli­ca­tions of human rights. He has pub­lished and pre­sented in var­i­ous forms in Aus­tralia, the United States, the United King­dom, New Zealand and Hong Kong. Coleman is the Director of the Ethics program for the Australian Centre for the Study of Armed Conflict and Society (ACSACS) at UNSW, Canberra, as well as a Research Fellow with the international Consortium on Emerging Technology, Military Operations and National Security (CETMONS).
Previously he has been a Res­i­dent Fel­low at the Stock­dale Cen­ter for Eth­i­cal Lead­er­ship at the United States Naval Acad­emy, where he was part of a large research project exam­in­ing the eth­i­cal impli­ca­tions of var­i­ous new and devel­op­ing mil­i­tary tech­nolo­gies. This project helped to brief the Depart­ment of Defense, the US Con­gress and the White House on these issues. He can also make bal­loon and origami ani­mals, jug­gle, breathe fire and ride a uni­cy­cle, though not all at the same time.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@xxxx5012]

Great talk!

[@thegolemgod9285]

You should not weigh in which form of dying is more likely, it is truly brutal, especially to victims of terrorism.

[@imagindraco7971]

I don't want to start worrying about it when someone finally told me that 'you are eight times more likely to be killed by a terrorist than a lightning strike', the main purpose of terrorist never be only killing random victims or causing lose of property, it is a message generator, which is to spread fear. Threat is threat because it may not be coming true, but it get more than 0% to come true in any crowded area, especially when it came from organization that commit attacks. Should we leave it alone and wait for more people getting encouraged by those attack and be one of them who turned to society?

[@h.h.7558]

My heart is breaking over the assassinations in belgium today. Why is it so hard for mankind to live together in peace. I strongly believe in Kants Caterogical Imperative: "Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become an universal law." aka "Do as you would be done by".
We could all live life in all it's glory.

[@kizombeiro8130]

False equivalency. Definition too vague.
Ethics professor was not a great choice of speaker on the issue of counter terrorism

[@daniisi]

poking fun at an eminent danger now present in Australia and Europe Perhaps comforting should not include such ridicule of a serious issue .

[@ProAssassin63]

+Dani Urrutia Gaitan people like you are the reason why countries fall

[@greengaia_pt]

I agree with you Dani...There's no humanity in devalue people lives. No matter how many people we are talking about...

[@bethanyhunt2704]

You've not listened to a word he's said.

[@C4rL72]

absolutely clueless...

[@aidanhart9871]

Care to debate that? I know its been 5 months.

[@C4rL72]

@@aidanhart9871 Downplaying terrorism, the effects of Terrorism ( as stated by the UK terrorism act its not about the casualties its about the cause)
Cant even begin to compare terrorist attacks from countries to countries as different countries have different definitions of terrorism. This blokes definition is WAY OFF. ( hence clueless )
And he forgets the UK have over 3000 attacks thwarted per year, 500 red flags per week alerted to the CT hotlines
And downplaying the impact it has upon families and the community and the way public policy has changed due to Terror attacks, I could go on but you get my point.

[@aidanhart9871]

@@C4rL72 fair points. I found his comparison to be abit off, yes more people die from various benign causes but im sure people would be more wary of cheeseburgers if they were actively trying to kill you 😆.
To your point about differences of definition. Yes its a tough one. I've been studying this for years and one of the best additions to the standard definition of terrorism " unauthorised use of violence and threats to further political interests" has been from A. Richards " violence we don't like committed for reasons we don't like". I personally added "committed by those we don't like".
I feel this guys main point was the public's willingness to sacrifice rights and privacy etc for little extra security.
It's interesting how the UK seem to have so much success from their counter-terrorism laws whereas the USA has barely any.
Im currently writing a 5 page essay on motivations for terrorism, so if you have any ideas or personal views please feel free to share them. I'm primarily focusing on the contemporary perceptions of the IRA in relation to Middle Eastern terror groups.