Frank Close, a theoretical physicist and author, discusses the historical motivations behind the quest for atomic energy, emphasizing how scientific curiosity transformed into political chaos. Tim Gregory, a nuclear chemist, argues for the potential of nuclear energy to combat climate change and dispel fears surrounding waste. In contrast, Natalie Bennett, former leader of the Green Party, critiques nuclear as outdated and distracting from renewable solutions, raising concerns about safety and waste disposal. Their diverse perspectives highlight the complex role of nuclear science in society.
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Origin of the Atomic Age
The atomic age began with a faint smudge on a photographic plate discovered by Henry Becquerel in 1896.
This tiny clue led within 60 years to the ability to create weapons capable of vast destruction, illustrating a scientific detective story.
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Atoms Transform and Evolve
Early 20th-century science saw atoms as indivisible billiard balls, but radioactive decay proved atoms could transform.
Discovery of the nucleus revealed that energy is liberated by atoms evolving into other elements, changing foundational views of matter.
insights INSIGHT
Rutherford and Big Science Evolution
Ernest Rutherford's experiments revealed the nucleus as a dense positive core at an atom's center.
Scientific progress evolved from small-scale lab work to massive industrial projects spurred by wartime urgency.
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Published in 1957, 'On the Beach' is a tragic and introspective novel that follows the lives of a mixed group of people in Melbourne as they await the arrival of deadly radiation from the Northern Hemisphere. The story is set in 1963, a year after a worldwide nuclear war, and explores how each character copes with the impending doom. The main characters include Commander Dwight Towers, a U.S. Naval Officer, Peter Holmes, and Moira Davidson, among others. Despite the looming catastrophe, the characters continue their daily lives, engaging in activities such as gardening, socializing, and even organizing a car race. The novel highlights themes of self-destruction, the destructive relationship between humans and technology, and the importance of simple pleasures in the face of mortality. The title and epigraphs from T.S. Eliot's 'The Hollow Men' underscore the somber and reflective tone of the book[2][3][5].
Destroyer of Worlds
Matt Ruff
Destroyer of Worlds, the sequel to Lovecraft Country, continues the story of Atticus Black and his companions. The novel expands upon the themes of racism, identity, and the supernatural, exploring new dimensions of the cosmic horror genre. The narrative delves deeper into the complex history of the Black community in America and its intersection with the occult. The book maintains the thrilling pace and suspenseful atmosphere of its predecessor, offering a captivating read for fans of the original. It's a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of history, identity, and the power of storytelling.
Going Nuclear
Going Nuclear
How the Atom Will Save the World
Tim Gregory
Tim Gregory's 'Going Nuclear' champions nuclear energy as the key to addressing global warming and meeting the world's energy needs. Gregory, a nuclear scientist, tackles the widespread fear of radioactivity, arguing that it is largely unfounded. He presents evidence to counter the negative perceptions associated with nuclear power, highlighting the relatively low death toll from nuclear disasters compared to other energy sources. The book emphasizes the potential of breeder reactors to provide a sustainable energy supply for centuries. Gregory challenges both climate change deniers and those who oppose nuclear power, advocating for a balanced and informed approach to energy policy. 'Going Nuclear' ultimately makes a compelling case for embracing nuclear technology as a safe and essential component of a sustainable future.
Professor Frank Close looks at how the quest to understand radioactivity and the atomic nucleus was initially fired by scientific curiosity and then by more human motives. What began as collaboration between scientists in the pursuit of atomic energy was overwhelmed by politics and opened the way to the possibility of nuclear war. Frank Close’s Destroyer of Worlds: The Deep History of the Nuclear Age: 1895-1965 shows how scientific knowledge is often advanced by personal convictions and relationships and takes us into the rooms where discoveries and decisions were made.
Nuclear energy is the most promising tool that we have to tackle the climate emergency, so argues Tim Gregory in his new book Going Nuclear How the Atom Will Save the World. He says it is time to debunk the myths about nuclear waste and radiation and that nuclear power is reliable and safe. Harnessing the atom is our best hope of providing abundant and clean energy to ensure an equitable and prosperous future.
For Baroness Natalie Bennett, former leader of the Green Party, nuclear has been a continual disaster. As an energy source nuclear it has been impractical, inflexible and unreliable; a dinosaur technology whose use has declined. She believes that the continued appearance of nuclear in policy debates is a distraction from renewables and energy conservation. She believes that we have not found an adequate solution to the problem of nuclear waste. And in the field of defence, the majority of countries want a ban on nuclear weapons.
Presenter: Shahidha Bari
Producer: Ruth Watts
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