A VR journey into the nuclear bunker offers chilling lessons on US nuclear policy

“Mr. President, we have a national emergency. Please follow the military officer right away,” a voice says as an alarm blares. Evacuated to a secure facility, the president is greeted with a digital clock counting down from 15 minutes. “Mr. President, this is Strategic Command. If you don’t make a decision before the time on that clock hits zero, we will lose our entire ICBM force.” The “president” is then presented with three recommended attack options, the least of which predicts five million to 15 million casualties. If an immediate decision isn’t made, the voice becomes adamant: “Mr. President, I need your guidance!”