6.08: People Do Reject Technologies, Part 2

Nuclear weapons, nuclear waste, and how to argue well with intractable disagreements. Show Notes Sometimes, the rejection of a technology is far less clear cut than in last week’s discussion of Google Glass. With nuclear weapons (and nuclear waste), for example, decades of rejection by many people has not stepped further development and proliferation. What do we do when we face intractable disagreements, especially about things we think represent grave moral evils? Links Hiroshima and Nagasaki Fire bombing of Dresden Nuclear fallout Half-lives Mustard gas 9 countries with nukes Yucca mountain explainer Yellow journalism “The Really Big One: An earthquake will destroy a sizable portion of the coastal Northwest. The question is when.”, on the Pacific Coast Warning System Previous discussion of similar themes on the show: 4.05 – The Price of Democracy: The necessity and the limitations of gradualism, incrementalism, and compromise in politics. 4.10 – The Ancient Wisdom of Usenet: Populism, social media, and wisdom in when, how, and where to (dis)engage with people you disagree with. 5.11 – Fences, Neighbors, etc.: How do we defend great common goods when they pose small, but real, individual risks? Music “Assembling the Fleets” by Andreas Waldetoft. Used by permission. “Winning Slowly Theme” by Chris Krycho. Sponsors Many thanks to the people who help us make this show possible by their financial support! This month’s sponsors: Andrew Fallows Kurt Klassen Jake Grant Jeremy W. Sherman If you’d like to support the show, you can make a pledge at Patreon or give directly via Square Cash. Respond We love to hear your thoughts. Hit us up via Twitter, Facebook, or email!