4 ms·
> It boggles the mind how the fossil fuel / environmentalist lobby anti-nuclear fear propaganda ever took hold in total absence of fact The broad public was in
by _Microft 5y ago
> It boggles the mind how the fossil fuel / environmentalist lobby anti-nuclear fear propaganda ever took hold in total absence of fact
The broad public was introduced to the atomic age by wiping out tens of thousands and humankind had to live for decades under the prospect of a sudden nuclear holocaust with no way to do anything about it. I would not be so quick to blame people alone for rejecting this „atomic age“. In my opinion the history of „nuclear“ is one PR/image fuckup after the other. This is absolutely a problem of its own making.
I‘m physicist, I think that nuclear would be a nice addition in our carbon-free energy toolbox but I also understand why the public opinion is what it is - especially in Germany which was designated playground of nuclear superpowers during the Cold War.
- throwawaylinux 5y agoI wasn't quick to blame people alone because I didn't blame them at all. What's more, your idea that atomic bombings of Japan was behind the irrational nuclear scare is incorrect. From https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214629620301432 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221462962... Opinion polls in the 1950s and 1960s showed remarkably high approval of nuclear power [25], [38], [39], [40]. Attitudes regarding construction near a poll respondent’s residence were also positive, with multiple surveys showing majority or plurality approval [15]. I mostly blame the fossil fuel lobby and the anti nuclear "environmentalist" movement.