Intelligence Squared The 'Desk Killers' of History, with Dan Gretton and Ros Urwin
Jan 28, 2020
Join Dan Gretton, author of "I You We Them," as he dives deep into the chilling concept of 'desk killers'—those unseen architects of atrocities. With Ros Urwin of The Sunday Times, they unravel the psychological motivations behind these bureaucratic perpetrators. The conversation probes the banality of evil, touching on historical figures like Eichmann and the moral complexities of individuals like Albert Speer. They also connect past horrors to contemporary practices, challenging listeners to reflect on responsibility and humanity.
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Origin of Desk Killer Concept
- Dan Gretton's interest in "desk killers" began after watching Claude Lanzmann's Shoah.
- A scene with a memo about gas chamber efficiency sparked his interest in the psychology of indirect killing.
Shell and Compartmentalization
- Gretton's interest grew while examining Shell's actions in Nigeria and the execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa.
- He questioned how Shell employees compartmentalized their minds to continue working after the executions.
Dehumanizing Language
- Dehumanizing language, like referring to people as "cargo," facilitates desk killing.
- This distancing allows individuals to disassociate from the human consequences of their actions.
