Nuclear power is scary stuff for most people….it’s hard not to think that way when you see headlines such as “Nuclear Catastrophe” or “Meltdown crisis”.
As a journalist, I know this is a big story.
The last time the world experienced a nuclear accident of this scale was 25 years ago, when a reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant exploded. Since then, there have been a number of ‘incidents’ at nuclear facilities around the world, including Australia’s Lucas Heights facility.
But as someone with a background in science – in particular physics – I groan at the hyperbole of some of the speculation and misinformation being spread by the mainstream and social media.
Many Episcopalians (including the Presiding Bishop) seem to have replaced their faith in our Christian beliefs with a naive faith in “Science”. This should be a reminder that our supposed 21’st century enlightenment is very limited and there are times when we have to admit that even the most intelligent “scientists” do not have the wisdom to easily find their way out some of the problems we humans create for ourselves. This may be a good time for us to recognize the superiority of our creator and to pray and study His Word for guidance.
After much stumbling through a desert of journalistic ignorance, it is refreshing to read a piece like this. There is reason to question TEPCO’s version of things (he might also have noted Japanese reticence with respect to certain unhappy events during WWII), yet they’re the only game in town so we have to make do with what they tell us. A full reckoning will no doubt follow at some time. It is also worth noting the ridiculous pace of the news cycle with its constant demand for neverending and instantaneous titillation. I suspect that it’s better that information is verified before being shared with the press. Radiation [i]is[/i] scary stuff and though I’m as frustrated as any of my colleagues in the nuclear industry with overblown reporting, we in the nuclear field need to keep that very basic fact in mind. And, frankly, we do.
One thing that I hope comes out of this event, regardless of its ultimate outfall – and it appears that the ending will be a relatively happy one with respect to exposure to the general public (the indications currently are that comparing this to Chernobyl is more like comparing an apple to a handgrenade than an orange, but that’s neither here nor there, I suppose) – is that this continues to be a dangerous world and no technology can possibly stop it from being so. In a way, I continue to be gladdened that so many show healthy skepticism with respect to nuclear power. I would like to see the same doubts expressed about solar, wind and geothermal, none of which is a panacea and all of which carry significant tradeoffs, particularly when compared to nuclear.
I continue to long for the day when as a society we have a healthy skepticism with respect to the technology of birth control. Fatuous confidence in the ability of artificial contraception to separate copulation from procreation has led to the unmitigated disaster of the Sexual Revolution, which has destroyed more impoverished lives than all the robber barons combined. And the devastation continues. Christians have a duty not to look to any save the God of Israel for salvation. Looking to technology is an endeavor for fools.
“Atomised information”? Ouch!