Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, July 24, 2023
Posted: 24th July 2023
Cillian Murphy stars in Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer”, a prismatic psychological study of the “father of the atomic bomb.” (Universal Pictures)
NUCLEAR RISK
The Bulletin reviews ‘Oppenheimer’
Director Christopher Nolan’s ability to transport audiences is undeniable, writes Bulletin multimedia editor Thomas Gaulkin. “But like Oppenheimer’s own ambiguous end, the destination remains uncertain.” Read more.
CLIMATE CHANGE
From Montana fires to floods in Vermont: Interview with a climate migrant
When Zack Porter moved with his family to Vermont to escape wildfires in Montana, the last thing he expected was for the smoke to follow. Read more.
NUCLEAR RISK
‘Artificial Escalation’: Imagining the future of nuclear risk
The decrease in human control, increase in the speed of warfare, and unpredictable nature of artificial intelligence are just a few of the side effects of AI that make it unfit for integration into nuclear command, write three experts from the Future of Life Institute. Read more.
NUCLEAR RISK
A Japanese scholar’s view on J. Robert Oppenheimer
“I can’t give a broad, sweeping view of what every single person in Japan thinks of J. Robert Oppenheimer,” writes Shiho Nakazawa. “But as a researcher in international politics at a Tokyo university, I can give my own, personal viewpoint of the man, about whom I wrote a book in 1995.” Read more.
Webinar: Beyond Oppenheimer
Whether or not you’ve already seen Christopher Nolan’s new movie Oppenheimer, this Aug. 3 discussion hosted by the Bulletin and The Elders promises to be a valuable conversation about one of the most pressing issues of our time.
NUCLEAR RISK
Nuclear safety staffing in the US is in crisis with no easy fix
Young professionals leaving the field and experienced experts retiring en masse are quietly creating a staffing crisis in radiation safety. Read more.
NUCLEAR RISK
How to redefine “success” in upcoming nuclear nonproliferation talks
Without major changes, the review process for the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is headed for an unprecedented third failure, warns rising nuclear nonproliferation expert Sanaa Alvira. Read more.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Oppenheimer’s story is the right story, at the right time, on the right topic [...] It provides important lessons for today’s challenges.”
— Bulletin President and CEO Rachel Bronson, “Rachel Bronson: Oppenheimer’s story reinforces the importance of global governance during scientific revolutions,” The Chicago Tribune
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