Difference between revisions of "325--2011--Week 10 Questions/Comments"
From McClurken Wiki
(→Pursell article) |
(→Video of nuclear blasts) |
||
| Line 26: | Line 26: | ||
I too am shocked by the number of tests performed not only by the United States but also by other countries. However, we should recall the “Atomic Age” and how nuclear energy was publicized as a positive alternative to other energy sources and its effects were downplayed. The Pursell reading continuously mentioned how the agencies tried to spin the horrible effects of radiation. In Michael Smith’s article, he mentions the AEC Commissioner, Theos J. Thompson’s idea, “To oppose nuclear technology because low-level radiation might be detrimental struck Thompson as woefully enervated: ‘It is as though we decided not to get out bed anymore because we might slip on the way to the bathroom’” (Pursell 229). I think Thompson took that one a little too far. Radiation poisoning is SLIGHTLY more dangerous than slipping on the way to the bathroom. And I say this with the authority of being a clumsy person. | I too am shocked by the number of tests performed not only by the United States but also by other countries. However, we should recall the “Atomic Age” and how nuclear energy was publicized as a positive alternative to other energy sources and its effects were downplayed. The Pursell reading continuously mentioned how the agencies tried to spin the horrible effects of radiation. In Michael Smith’s article, he mentions the AEC Commissioner, Theos J. Thompson’s idea, “To oppose nuclear technology because low-level radiation might be detrimental struck Thompson as woefully enervated: ‘It is as though we decided not to get out bed anymore because we might slip on the way to the bathroom’” (Pursell 229). I think Thompson took that one a little too far. Radiation poisoning is SLIGHTLY more dangerous than slipping on the way to the bathroom. And I say this with the authority of being a clumsy person. | ||
-Samantha W. | -Samantha W. | ||
| + | |||
| + | I thought this was very interesting. Like Meagan, I didn't know quite how many tests were really being done, but you can especially see the difference during the Cold War period, especially in 1957-1958. We can also clearly see that the United States was the leader in all of these tests, with a close follow by the Soviet Union. We can also see where these tests were done with shows that a lot were done in the Pacific, and a lot were done in the Soviet Union and along the western United States. I think we can take into account the reasoning behind the U.S. nuclear tests as being not only for military use, but for the potential of commercial nuclear power as well. I do wonder though if doing these tests, if there were any considerations in radiation, especially after the results from Japan at the end of World War II. -Claire Brooks | ||
== General comments about the impact of the atomic bomb == | == General comments about the impact of the atomic bomb == | ||
