America has a history of ignoring its presidents' farewell addresses, even as it burns into its memory with their most poignant advice. Two actual warnings from addresses come to mind most immediately, having been "troped" through popular discourse over the intervening decades, to the point where they've become high-minded cliche. The first is the oldest and most obvious: Washington suggests that his countrymen avoid entangling alliances. Good advice for nation-states, but advice that seems to become less and less pertinent as power consolidates globally and as political hegemony converts itself into a giant commercial and economic network. Economic interests are at the forefront of our political apparatus.

The second is from our own century; Eisenhower suggests that his fellow Americans beware the growing "military-industrial complex." Again, sound advice, especially coming from a former General. Still, it's advice that's more fun to ignore in the age of reality television.

Discovery Channel’s Future Weapons is an incredibly watch-able show. A weekly showcase of in-development military technology ranging from the newest rifles and tactical equipment, to military vehicles, defensive systems and “non-lethal options.” It's something like pornography, really. America has a long standing fetish for it's military technology, despite being the nation bent on portraying itself as the savior of the world. (Only some irony involved in the search for political stability leveraged by a bullet)

Sleek phallic objects, displays of the most poignant and dominating kinds of penetration; the metaphor is obvious, but the reach of our fetish slides into our daily life almost innocuously: the Hummer and the internet (despite Al Gore’s hyperbolic claims) were both developed and became successful military technologies that are now staples of consumer culture. Since that leaves us waiting for some of the army’s hand-me-downs, let me know when I can buy my diamond-studded H&K MP7.

But back to the show: host, Richard “Mack” Machowicz easily sells his enthusiasm for weapons, and quickly infects you with his fascination and pride for everything he reviews on the show. A former Navy SEAL, Mack discusses the products with their inventors, tests the weapons against their claims and reputations, and expounds the virtues of the technology all with his paradoxically whisper-like, yet confident voice. Every time he speaks, it’s as if he’s whispering orders to you in the dark, suggesting who to kill next; chilling, yet commanding.

And the range of “coming soon” technology is marvelous in it’s inhumanity: the newest in explosives, jets and unmanned vehicles. More lethal weapons, able to kill further, faster and with less waste or cost. Weapons more and more perfect in their violence, more and more sleek in their design, more and more efficient and safe for the forces fortunate enough to be armed with them. The show is a sheer spectacle and, irony aside, a real testament to human engineering and problem solving.

Well, I suppose we can never really leave irony aside. So, it’s about time you really gave in—combine your hedonistic taste for reality television, high-end gadgetry and violence. Your enjoyment will reward you.