

#6246
Mentioned in 5 episodes
The Doomsday Machine
Confessions of a Nuclear War Planner
Book • 2017
In this book, Daniel Ellsberg chronicles his experiences as a nuclear war planner during the Cold War, revealing shocking details about the delegation of authority to initiate nuclear attacks, secret plans for general nuclear war, and the precarious nature of nuclear strategy.
The book is divided into two parts: the first part is a memoir/confession of Ellsberg's intellectual and moral evolution, while the second part adopts a more academic perspective, analyzing the principles of 'just war' policy and the consequences of nuclear exchanges.
Ellsberg argues that little has changed in nuclear policy since the Eisenhower and Kennedy years and offers feasible steps to dismantle the 'doomsday machine' and avoid nuclear catastrophe.
The book is divided into two parts: the first part is a memoir/confession of Ellsberg's intellectual and moral evolution, while the second part adopts a more academic perspective, analyzing the principles of 'just war' policy and the consequences of nuclear exchanges.
Ellsberg argues that little has changed in nuclear policy since the Eisenhower and Kennedy years and offers feasible steps to dismantle the 'doomsday machine' and avoid nuclear catastrophe.
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Mentioned in 5 episodes
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as a book on nuclear war risks.

Geoffrey Miller

34 snips
#432 - Geoffrey Miller - An Evolutionary Psychologist's Dating Advice
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when discussing the fears of nuclear war during the early Cold War.


Rob Wiblin

#112 Classic episode – Carl Shulman on the common-sense case for existential risk work and its practical implications
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when discussing early fears about nuclear war.


Carl Shulman

#112 – Carl Shulman on the common-sense case for existential risk work and its practical implications
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as the author's latest book, focusing on the threat of nuclear apocalypse.


Rob Wiblin

#43 Classic episode - Daniel Ellsberg on the institutional insanity that maintains nuclear doomsday machines
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as a resource for understanding the Cuban Missile Crisis and nuclear risks.


Rob Wiblin

Rob Wiblin on human nature, new technology, and living a happy, healthy & ethical life
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as a book that discusses the catastrophic nuclear strategies of the U.S. during the Cold War.

Geoffrey Miller

Geoffrey Miller on Sex Differences, Masculinity & Political Polarisation
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while discussing the unsolved nature of nuclear proliferation risks.


Liron Shapira

Superintelligent AI vs. Real-World Engineering | Liron Reacts to Bryan Cantrill
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when discussing the risks of nuclear war and the lack of research on the topic.

Geoffrey Miller

Bring Forgiveness