Inbox

Anxiety over Drones
I read Lev Grossman’s well-documented and pertinent article with great concern [“Drone Home,” Feb. 11]. Drone technology is spreading fast worldwide, and one never knows when or how it will land in the wrong hands. The consequences could be dreadful — as with all other weapons, it can be misused and abused in a deadly way. Imagine what extremists could do if they managed to possess or control a fleet of armed drones — some time, somewhere, somehow. Is there any pre-empting measure to contain proliferation?
Tan Boon Tee,
Chukai, Malaysia

We do not want drones in our country, for we have been the most unfortunate victims of these dreadful and merciless day-night bombers. A good number of innocent and unarmed civilians have lost their precious lives, yet the relentless attacks continue. The U.S. is indirectly creating more militants after each bombing that does not wipe out its intended target. Please stop the heinous act; halt the carnage. We Pakistanis are humans too.
Faroud Rahman,
Karachi

Whatever one may call it — unmanned aircraft system or remotely piloted vehicle — a drone is a drone, a silent and effective killer. The U.S. has carried out multiple drone attacks without qualm, claiming success in exterminating militant leaders while toning down the collateral damage. Now drones are gradually being used for civilian purposes, like domestic surveillance, checking on the movement of citizens. Would this be acceptable to Americans by and large? The South Korean government has a tendency of following what the U.S. does. In this case, we hope that the authority concerned thinks twice before doing so. Why should our personal activities be monitored?
Jinn Moon-tze,
Seoul

Pressure Point
China is an examination-oriented country [“Relax, It’s Only a Test,” Feb. 11]. Testing and measurement have been part and parcel of education in the nation for centuries. As educators, we are well aware of the intense stress and phobia associated with exams at all levels of study. While we often attempt to make students relax at every opportunity, especially before tests, we also believe a bit of stress motivates most students to work harder to achieve their goals.
Phu Lusou,
Shanghai

As a high school student in Hong Kong, I know all too well about test anxieties and the need to take all sorts of standardized exams. Coping with stress from testing has become something of a priority. I agree with the author that anxiety brought on by exams undermines a student’s true ability, but the article failed to address the underlying cause of the issue. Students are stressed out about exams because of what results could mean for their future, be it minor punishment from parents or their chances of getting into a good university. What students actually need is the ability to see past the immediate impact of exam scores and understand that a test is but a minor obstacle in life.
Christy Lee,
Hong Kong

I realize that students’ stress is caused by a combination of outside factors leading to anxiety about exam results. I wonder if the solution to the problem should be searched out in a change in the educational system: fewer tests and more emphasis on critical thinking. After all, how can we trust a stressful system that reinforces a less objective evaluation of students?
Chris Kontas,
Thessaloniki, Greece

Military Mind-Set
The tone of Leon Panetta’s quote — “Not everyone is going to be able to be a combat soldier, but everyone is entitled to a chance” — highlights a truly disturbing militarization of American society since 9/11 [Briefing, Feb. 11]. Soldiers deserve respect, but by putting them up on an altar, Americans are losing sight of the fact that there are ways to serve their country other than joining the army.
Dan Thisdell,
Surrey, England

Women in Combat
Re “Army Strong” [Feb. 11]: We should be skeptical of “human nature” to explain characteristics of groups of people. (You write that it “has made men the hunters and aggressors.”) For centuries, sexist beliefs held that women’s nature made them unsuitable for work outside the home, while racism asserted that blacks were naturally less intelligent than whites. Biological determinants of behavior exist, but all too often what is put forth as nature is a socially constructed bias.
Diane Kramer,
Austin

Seeking Justice
Re “The Agony of Injustice” [Feb. 4]: Is there no human-rights movement that can raise awareness by speaking loudly and exposing these acts? If those who commit offenses against humanity are not publicly shamed, their actions will continue to be perceived as acceptable, written off as cultural eccentricities and not denounced for what they are: unacceptable crimes.
Linda Svennas,
Geneva