Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, November 20, 2023

EMILIA JAVORSKY
Hollywood, nuclear war, and the art of saving the world

President Reagan said the 1983 film, The Day After, changed his mind about nuclear policy, leading him to sign a treaty that significantly reduced Cold War arsenals. This is one of many examples throughout history that show art can shift narratives and change policy, writes a Harvard University scientist. Read more.

HIDEO ASANO
Bridging the gap between nuclear ban treaty supporters and opponents

The rift between supporters and opponents of the nuclear ban treaty remains deep, despite an escalating nuclear arms race. Luckily, there’s a major opportunity to change that later this month when the ban treaty hosts its second meeting, argues a rising nuclear nonproliferation expert. Read more.

MATT FIELD
Neanderthals and mammoths could help find new antibiotics

Antibiotic resistant infections could kill 10 million people a year by 2050, and few new drugs are coming onto the market to replace those that become ineffective. Do the genomes of Neanderthals, mammoths, and other ancient creatures contain tools that could help combat this growing threat? Read more.

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VIRTUAL PROGRAM

Tomorrow, Oppenheimer will be available to stream online. To prepare for the movie’s release, check out this virtual program the Bulletin hosted with The Elders on our shared nuclear history, current challenges, and possible futures. Watch it now.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“According to my models, a concerted nuclear attack on the existing U.S. silo fields—in Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, Montana and North Dakota—would annihilate all life in the surrounding regions and contaminate fertile agricultural land for years.”
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— Sébastien Philippe, author of multiple Bulletin articles and a Princeton University scientist, PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

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