Freakonomics Radio 516. Nuclear Power Isn’t Perfect. Is It Good Enough?
43 snips
Sep 22, 2022 
Joshua Goldstein, a political science expert advocating for nuclear energy, joins Matthew Neidel, an economist delving into public health and policy, and Craig Mazin, writer of the 'Chernobyl' series. They explore the balance of nuclear power as a climate solution versus its risks. Insights on harm reduction strategies used in health policies are compared to energy solutions. The conversation also addresses public perceptions shaped by media portrayals of disasters, emphasizing the importance of informed debate regarding the future of nuclear energy.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Goldstein's Nuclear Conversion
- Joshua Goldstein, co-author of "A Bright Future," initially opposed nuclear power.
- His views changed after researching climate change solutions and realizing nuclear energy's scalability.
Nuclear Safety
- Nuclear power is statistically the safest energy source per unit of electricity produced.
- This is true even considering major accidents like Chernobyl and Fukushima.
Mazin's Chernobyl Inspiration
- Craig Mazin's interest in Chernobyl stemmed from the irony of a safety test causing disaster.
- Also, the lead investigator's suicide added to the story's intrigue.