Making Sense with Sam Harris #330 — The Doomsday Machine
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Aug 16, 2023 Carl Robichaud, co-leader of Longview Philanthropy’s nuclear weapons policy program, dives deep into the looming threat of nuclear war. He reflects on the morality of the bombings at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and critiques the lessons learned from the Cuban Missile Crisis. The conversation touches on modern challenges like cyber vulnerabilities and escalating U.S.-China tensions, along with the role of private citizens in mitigating nuclear risks. Robichaud emphasizes the need for philanthropy in addressing these existential threats, blending urgency with hope.
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Atomic Bombing Narrative
- The narrative around the atomic bombings often portrays Truman's decision as a carefully weighed choice between bombing and invasion.
- Declassified documents reveal this to be postwar propaganda; the plan involved both bombing and invasion.
Nagasaki Bombing
- The second atomic bomb, dropped on Nagasaki, wasn't a strategic decision but a hasty action taken while Japan was still processing Hiroshima.
- Truman's awareness of the impending Soviet entry into the war adds another layer to the decision.
Demonstration Detonation Considered
- A demonstration detonation of the atomic bomb was considered, but rejected due to concerns about its impact and potential retrieval by enemies.
- There were also concerns about a potential dud and revealing the technology.
