The Danger of Vibe Patriotism in Defense Tech

Private market civilian participation in the defense technology industry should not be considered "service" in the same way as military duty. True service is defined by state-imposed obligation and the relinquishment of personal autonomy, whereas civilian tech workers retain the fundamental privilege of being able to quit. This rhetoric of service is spreading because it helps companies align with government customers and attract talent seeking purposeful work. This trend of "vibe patriotism" is dangerous because it blurs the line between contribution and sacrifice, lowering the moral and social barriers to war by insulating influential figures from its true costs.