could it be that others are re-assessing their positions on this ghastly, (possibly final) solution? god, i so hope so...
god, i so hope so...
Me too. I realize they aren't in denial about the situation as much as they are simply wieghing all the practical alternatives out there. But it's still a bit too realpolitik for me... And I think it is for the vast majority of people. There is something to be said for horror...
On the topic, I once read a novel, "The Sky Unwashed," about the accident, written from a very personal perspective, which brings the reality of the accident home as well, or better, than statistics trying to assess the big picture. Also, there is a travel narrative written by a man who hitchhiked across Russia (!), "Siberian Dawn," which goes into some detail about the distressingly high radiation levels throughout Siberia, defunct nuclear reactors, and the lives of the people who live with this reality. No Chernobyl, but it gives you a bit of perspective if you're thinking that the dangers of Chernobyl are some kind of anomaly. Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. -Voltaire
the pronuke camp has valid points to make, in that public fear of active isotopes is exaggerated compared to fears of more prevalent and imminent risks of daily life. miscalculation of risk is one of those persistent error problems, about which I've read and written a it in my time. but the irrationality of some people's fears doesn't automatically guarantee the rationality or "cost-effectiveness" or manageability of the technology.
we might be scared of being bitten by a mad dog because the dog is possessed by devils, dogs are unclean animals and accursed of God, and if we are bitten the dog's devils will enter our soul and condemn us to Hell (not to mention a painful death) -- besides it is a black, hairy, ugly dog and scary-looking. the irrationality of this colourful belief system is undeniable, but that doesn't make the dog's bite harmless; we may very well get rabies or tetanus and die anyway :-) The difference between theory and practise in practise ...
