Exploring the Catastrophic Effects of a Nuclear War and Super EMP Strike

This is a selection of highlights from episode #192 of The 80,000 Hours Podcast.

These aren't necessarily the most important, or even most entertaining parts of the interview — and if you enjoy this, we strongly recommend checking out the full episode:

Annie Jacobsen on what would happen if North Korea launched a nuclear weapon at the US

And if you're finding these highlights episodes valuable, please let us know by emailing podcast@80000hours.org.

Chapters:

• Luisa’s intro (00:00:00)
• The minutes after an incoming nuclear attack is detected (00:00:22)
• Deciding whether to retaliate (00:04:24)
• Russian misperception of US counterattack (00:07:37)
• The nuclear launch plans that would kill millions in neighbouring countries (00:11:38)
• The war games that suggest escalation is inevitable (00:15:31)
• A super-electromagnetic pulse (00:19:12)

Highlights put together by Simon Monsour, Milo McGuire, and Dominic Armstrong