4 ms·
It is interested how can cultural differences play out. We Russians always thought that placing the ultimate power of authorizing the nuclear strike in the hand
by atemerev 10y ago
It is interested how can cultural differences play out. We Russians always thought that placing the ultimate power of authorizing the nuclear strike in the hands of a single individual is irresponsible (we of all people know really well that said individual can go insane without a prior warning). So, adding non-human components into decision loop is regarded as an improvement by Russians. We don't really trust fellow humans, especially in positions of authority.
- arpa 10y agoif by non-human components you mean the Oko system, well, if not for podpolkovnik Petrov[1], a fellow human, we'd be enjoying radioactivity :) [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1983_Soviet_nuclear_false_alarm_incident https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1983_Soviet_nuclear_false_alar...
- atemerev 10y agoAll automatic military systems in Russia are equipped with big red MANUAL OVERRIDE button (installed on command post, of course). Automatic is the default, though. :)
- arethuza 10y agoI wonder what that says about the UK where the last resort set of instructions to Trident sub crews is a set of hand written letters from the current PM: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letters_of_last_resort https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letters_of_last_resort
- mattmanser 10y agoI love how one of the checks until the 80s on whether the letter should even be read was whether BBC Radio 4 was still broadcasting.
- Brakenshire 10y agoRadio 4 no longer broadcasting = end of civilization. Makes a lot of sense.
- arpa 10y agoastonishing! very, very British.
- spangry 10y agoWow, now I really want to know what's in one of those letters. Apparently the British PM is presented with 4 possible options, according to that wiki page: 'The Guardian reported in 2016 that the options are said to include: "Put yourself under the command of the US, if it is still there", "Go to Australia", "Retaliate", or "Use your own judgement".' Personally, I vote for the 'Go to Australia' thing :)
- mimimjmi3 10y agoWith crazy Trump at the helm I'd be surprised if they do not scrap #1
- taejo 10y agoA recent Restricted Data post [0] goes into some detail about the extent to which the American system is the opposite: as much as possible is done to ensure the availability of nuclear options to the president. There are basically no checks against a president gone mad. [0] http://blog.nuclearsecrecy.com/2016/11/18/the-president-and-the-bomb/ http://blog.nuclearsecrecy.com/2016/11/18/the-president-and-...
- atemerev 10y agoI am not convinced that the election process is the ultimate check on the presidential authority. What if they _become_ insane during the term, join the secret Korean cult, mindwashed by Russians, or just generally lose their bearings in completely unpredictable way? I only can hope that there is some classified procedure designed to deal with this situation, otherwise, human civilization is doomed, sooner or later.
- taejo 10y ago> I am not convinced that the election process is the ultimate check on the presidential authority. Ultimate in the sense of last, not best.
- mimimjmi3 10y agoYour comment reminds me that the founding fathers did not thrust the masses, which is why they created the Electoral College. In theory they could elect somebody other than Trump for president. I really hope we do not live to regret not using that option.