#Einstein and The Bomb

[cosmonautroger]

Einstein And The Bomb, 2024

[minimumred]

"The fate of mankind hinges entirely upon man's moral development." - Albert Einstein

[moviereviews101web]

Einstein and the Bomb (2024) Movie Review

Einstein and the Bomb – Movie Review Director: Anthony Philipson Plot: Will combine archival footage with dramatization and explore key moments in science genius Einstein’s life, and how his work have changed history’s course. Everything he says in the film is taken from words he said or wrote. Runtime: 1 Hour 16 Minutes There may be spoilers in the rest of the review Verdict on Einstein and…

[denimbex1986]

'Netflix has commissioned Einstein And The Bomb, a feature documentary exploring Albert Einstein’s relationship with Hitler, Germany and the atom bomb.

The film will be directed by UK director Anthony Philipson in his feature debut; he has previously directed for series including Our Girl and All or Nothing: Tottenham Hotspur. BBC Studios is producing Einstein and The Bomb, with executive producers James Van Der Pool and Andrew Cohen.

Combining archive and dramatisations, the film will explore key points in the German-born physicist’s life, and how his work changed the course of history.

It comes shortly after Einstein appeared in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer played by Tom Conti, with the film depicting the creation of the atom bomb as part of the life of Einstein’s collaborator J. Robert Oppenheimer.

In 1939, Einstein signed a letter written by fellow physicist Leo Szilard and sent to US president Franklin D. Roosevelt, warning that Germany might develop atomic bombs and suggesting the US should start its own nuclear programme. It was reported years later that he regretted signing the letter...'

[coolthingsguyslike]

[nuclearhobo]

I watched a cool tutorial and this was end result

[drspencerweed]

season 10 sad Spencer my beloved

please let me hug you

[xtruss]

Why Robert Oppenheimer's Atomic Bomb Still Haunts Us

— By Richard Rhodes | Published May 15, 2013

Oppenheimer spearheaded the creation of the atom bomb. René Burri/Magnum

Robert Oppenheimer oversaw the design and construction of the first atomic bombs. The American theoretical physicist wasn't the only one involved—more than 130,000 people contributed their skills to the World War II Manhattan Project, from construction workers to explosives experts to Soviet spies—but his name survives uniquely in popular memory as the names of the other participants fade. British philosopher Ray Monk's lengthy new biography of the man is only the most recent of several to appear, and Oppenheimer wins significant assessment in every history of the Manhattan Project, including my own. Why this one man should have come to stand for the whole huge business, then, is the essential question any biographer must answer.

It's not as if the bomb program were bereft of men of distinction. Gen. Leslie Groves built the Pentagon and thousands of other U.S. military installations before leading the entire Manhattan Project to success in record time. Hans Bethe discovered the sequence of thermonuclear reactions that fire the stars. Leo Szilard and Enrico Fermi invented the nuclear reactor. John von Neumann conceived the stored-program digital computer. Edward Teller and Stanislaw Ulam co-invented the hydrogen bomb. Luis Alvarez devised a whole new technology for detonating explosives to make the Fat Man bomb work, and later, with his son, Walter, proved that an Earth-impacting asteroid killed off the dinosaurs. The list goes on. What was so special about Oppenheimer?

He was brilliant, rich, handsome, charismatic. Women adored him. As a young professor at Berkeley and Caltech in the 1930s, he broke the European monopoly on theoretical physics, contributing significantly to making America a physics powerhouse that continues to win a freight of Nobel Prizes. Despite never having directed any organization before, he led the Los Alamos bomb laboratory with such skill that even his worst enemy, Edward Teller, told me once that Oppenheimer was the best lab director he'd ever known. After the war he led the group of scientists who guided American nuclear policy, the General Advisory Committee to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). He finished out his life as director of the prestigious Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey, where he welcomed young scientists and scholars into that traditionally aloof club.

August 9, 1945: Nagasaki is hit by an atom bomb. Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum/EPA

Those were exceptional achievements, but they don't by themselves explain his unique place in nuclear history. For that, add in the dark side. His brilliance came with a casual cruelty, born certainly of insecurity, which lashed out with invective against anyone who said anything he considered stupid; even the brilliant Bethe wasn't exempt. His relationships with the significant women in his life were destructive: his first deep love, Jean Tatlock, the daughter of a Berkeley professor, was a suicide; his wife, Kitty, a lifelong alcoholic. His daughter committed suicide; his son continues to live an isolated life.

His Choices or Mistakes, Combined with his Penchant for Humiliating Lesser Men, Eventually Destroyed Him.

Oppenheimer's achievements as a theoretical physicist never reached the level his brilliance seemed to promise; the reason, his student and later Nobel laureate Julian Schwinger judged, was that he "very much insisted on displaying that he was on top of everything"—a polite way of saying Oppenheimer was glib. The physicist Isidor Rabi, a Nobel laureate colleague whom Oppenheimer deeply respected, thought he attributed too much mystery to the workings of nature. Monk notes his curiously uncritical respect for the received wisdom of his field.

Monk's discussion of Oppenheimer's work in physics is one of his book's great contributions to the saga, an area of the man's life that previous biographies have neglected. In the late 1920s Oppenheimer first worked out the physics of what came to be called black holes, those collapsing giant stars that pull even light in behind them as they shrink to solar-system or even planetary size. Some have speculated Oppenheimer might have won a Nobel for that work had he lived to see the first black hole identified in 1971.

Oppenheimer with Albert Einstein, circa the 1940s. Corbis

Oppenheimer's patriotism should have been evident to even the most obtuse government critic. He gave up his beloved physics, after all, not to mention any vestige of personal privacy, to help make his country invulnerable with atomic bombs. Yet he risked his work and reputation by dabbling in left-wing and communist politics before the war and lying to security officers during the war about a solicitation to espionage he received. His choices or mistakes, combined with his penchant for humiliating lesser men, eventually destroyed him.

One of those lesser men, a vicious piece of work named Lewis Strauss, a former shoe salesman turned Wall Street financier and physicist manqué, was the vehicle of Oppenheimer's destruction. When President Eisenhower appointed Strauss to the chairmanship of the AEC in the summer of 1953, Strauss pieced together a case against Oppenheimer. He was still splenetic from an extended Oppenheimer drubbing delivered during a congressional hearing all the way back in 1948, and he believed the physicist was a Soviet spy.

Strauss proceeded to revoke Oppenheimer's security clearance, effectively shutting him out of government. Oppenheimer could have accepted his fate and returned to an academic life filled with honors; he was due to be dropped as an AEC consultant anyway. He chose instead to fight the charges. Strauss found a brutal prosecuting attorney to question the scientist, bugged his communications with his attorney, and stalled giving the attorney the clearances he needed to vet the charges. The transcript of the hearing In the Matter of J. Robert Oppenheimer is one of the great, dark documents of the early atomic age, almost Shakespearean in its craven parade of hostile witnesses through the government star chamber, with the victim himself, catatonic with shame, sunken on a couch incessantly smoking the cigarettes that would kill him with throat cancer at 63 in 1967.

Rabi was one of the few witnesses who stood up for his friend, finally challenging the hearing board in exasperation, "We have an A-bomb and a whole series of it [because of Oppenheimer's work], and what more do you want, mermaids?" What Strauss and others, particularly Edward Teller, wanted was Oppenheimer's head on a platter, and they got it. The public humiliation, which he called "my train wreck," destroyed him. Those who knew him best have told me sadly that he was never the same again.

For Monk as for Rabi, Oppenheimer's central problem was his hollow core, his false sense of self, which Rabi with characteristic wit framed as an inability to decide whether he wanted to be president of the Knights of Columbus or B'nai B'rith. The German Jews who were Oppenheimer's 19th-century forebears had worked hard at assimilation—that is, at denying their religious heritage. Oppenheimer's parents submerged that heritage further in New York's ethical-culture movement that salvaged the humanism of Judaism while scrapping the supernatural overburden. Oppenheimer, actor that he was, could fit himself to almost any role, but turned either abject or imperious when threatened. He was a great lab director at Los Alamos because of his intelligence—"He was much smarter than the rest of us," Bethe told me—because of his broad knowledge and culture; because of his psychological insight into the complicated personalities of the gifted men assembled there to work on the bomb; most of all because he decided to play that role, as a patriotic citizen, and played it superbly.

Monk is a levelheaded and congenial guide to Oppenheimer's life, his biography certainly the best that has yet come along. But he devotes far too many pages to Oppenheimer's Depression-era flirtation with communism, a dead letter long ago and one that speaks more of a rich esthete's awakening to the suffering in the world than to Oppenheimer's political convictions. He doesn't always get the science right. Most of the errors are trivial, but a few are important to the story.

Their Fundamental Objection Was to Giving up Production of Real Weapons so That Teller Could Pursue His Pipe Dream, a Dead-end Hydrogen Bomb Design.

A fundamental reason Oppenheimer opposed a crash program to develop the hydrogen bomb in response to the first Soviet atomic-bomb test in 1949 was the requirement of Edward Teller's "Super" design for large amounts of a rare isotope of hydrogen, tritium. Tritium is bred by irradiating lithium in a nuclear reactor, but the slugs of lithium take up space that would otherwise be devoted to breeding plutonium. To make tritium for a hydrogen bomb that the U.S. did not know how to build would have required sacrificing most of the U.S. production of plutonium for devastating atomic bombs the U.S. did know how to build. To Oppenheimer and the other scientists on the GAC, such an irresponsible substitution as an answer to the Soviet bomb made no strategic sense. It's true that the hydrogen bomb with its potentially unlimited scale of destruction made no military sense to them either—and was morally repugnant to some of them as well. But their fundamental objection, which Monk overlooks, was to giving up production of real weapons so that Teller could pursue his pipe dream, a dead-end hydrogen bomb design that never worked.

Julius Robert Oppenheimer (April 22, 1904 – February 18, 1967)

More egregious is Monk's notion that the Danish physicist Niels Bohr, Oppenheimer's mentor during the war on the international implications of the new technology, pushed for the bomb's use on Japan to make its terror manifest. He did not. He pushed, to the contrary, for the Allies, the Soviet Union included, to discuss the implications of the bomb prior to its use and to devise a framework for controlling it. Bohr foresaw that the bomb would stalemate major war, as it has, but correctly feared that U.S. secrecy about its development would lead to a U.S.-Soviet arms race. He conferred with both Roosevelt and Churchill about presenting the fact of the bomb to the Russians as a common danger to the world, like a new epidemic disease, that needed to be quarantined by common agreement. Churchill vehemently disagreed, and Roosevelt was old and ill. The moment passed. The arms race followed, as Bohr foresaw, and with diminished force, among pariah states like Iran and North Korea, continues to this day.

Monk's Oppenheimer is a less appealing figure than the Oppenheimer of previous biographies, perhaps because, as an Englishman, Monk is less susceptible to Oppenheimer's rhetorical gifts and more candid about calling out his evasions. He pulls together most of what several generations of Oppenheimer scholars have found and offers new revelations as well. Yet there's a faint whiff of condescension in his portrait, and the real Oppenheimer, the man whom so many loved and admired, still somehow escapes him. He misses the deep alignment of Robert Oppenheimer's life with Greek tragedy, the charismatic hubris that was his glory but also the flaw that brought him low. But maybe I'm expecting too much: maybe only a large work of fiction could assemble that critical mass.

[falseandrealultravival]

Herbicides that even Fish Mint can't beat (Essay)

Killed Fish mints

Fish mint is a tough plant. I heard that when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and when Agent Orange was sprayed on Vietnam, this plant sprouted before any other plants.

Fish Mint

By the way, the family who moved into my house after renovating it are car enthusiasts who spread gravel in the garden. Fish mint was growing there, so the owner sprayed herbicides on it.

I thought that would not be enough to kill the Fish mint, but a month passed without sprouts. I felt that they must have sprayed a strong herbicide, and when I looked into it, I found that they must have sprayed Roundup.

Roundup is a neonicotinoid pesticide that enters the plant body through the leaves and kills the underground stems of fish mint. The underground stems are the lifeline of this plant, so if they are damaged, it will surely die.

Fish mint is a medicinal herb, and I'm sure it has been used, so I'm afraid I have to disagree with the method of extermination. Neonicotinoid pesticides kill insects, especially honeybees, and threaten humankind's survival and are banned in Europe. (Albert Einstein said that if the honeybee became extinct, humanity would perish within seven years.)

Rei Morishita

2024.06.05

ドクダミでさえ勝てない除草剤（エッセイ）

Fish Mintは強い植物である。広島に原爆が落とされた時も、ベトナムに枯葉剤が撒かれた時も、この植物は他の植物に先立ち、真っ先に芽吹いたと聞く。

ところで、私の隣りの家屋をリフォームして引っ越してきた家族は、そろって自動車好きで、庭に砂利を敷き詰めた。そこにFish Mintが生えてくるので、家主が除草剤を撒いていた。

私は、そのくらいではFish Mintは絶えないと思っていたが、1か月経っても芽が出てこない。強力な除草剤を撒いたのだろうと考え、調べてみるとラウンドアップをまいたのだと推察された。

ラウンドアップはネオ・ニコチノイド系の農薬で、Fish Mintについては、葉から植物体に入り、地下茎まで枯らす。地下茎こそはこの植物の生命線で、ここをやられたらさすがに枯死するだろう。

薬草であるFish Mint、使い道もあるだろうに、絶滅させるというやりかたには賛成できない。ネオ・ニコチノイド系の農薬は昆虫、とくにミツバチを殺すので、人類の生存にさえ関わる物質であり、ヨーロッパでは禁止されている。（アルバート・アインシュタインは、ミツバチが絶滅すれば、人類は７年で滅びると言っている。）

[computer-einstein]

Please beware of the swollen lithium battery. It is a spicy beanbag and it will burn down you and everything you love with pure hatred.

[m-guitguiten]

I came into the theaters with the highest expectations, and it somehow met that "expectation" (I know...I really have the nerve to say that against a Christopher Nolan film). Honestly, if I'm not mistaken, Oppenheimer is the most realistic and less explosive film of Nolan. The first part of the film may be a drudge for some as it lays ground on the inception of the conceptualization of the atomic bomb. It's annoyingly scientific and technical, so as a stupid viewer, (haha!) it bored me a bit. Then comes the second part. Now, this part is the most exciting when Robert Downey, Jr.'s character came in against Oppenheimer. It's thrilling, insightful, and Albert Einstein cameo feels so real and historic. I like what Einstein told Oppenheimer about the consequences of achievement; it rings so true. Emily Blunt's annoyed and defensive character is someone you will root for as Oppenheimer takes all the accusations against his loyalty to America and his integrity to his invention. What I appreciate the most about the film is its sound and score. It's like part of the development of the characters and the plot, so they take a significant role in the progression. Again, Christopher Nolan has created a feat, and surely this will bag a lot of awards at the end of the year.

[alexandrasstudycorner]

Have you watched 'Oppenheimer'? Since you are a study blog...sorry lol. How did you feel about the film?

Hiii

Lol. Yes, I have watched the film, and it's safe to say Physics is now my favourite subject 😆

Oppenheimer was an INCREDIBLE film. The directing, acting, casting, writing, delivery...everything was insanely perfect.

And the music by Ludwig Göransson? I got goosebumps.

If y'all have watched the film and loved it, we're friends lol. If you haven't watched it, please do, because the movie is exactly as great as it's hyped to be, if not greater.

Cillian Murphy 'Cill-ed' (sorry for the horrendous pun) the performance. The performance was so freaking captivating, he deserves all the fucking awards.

I'm rambling lmao, but it's safe to say Oppenheimer is my current favourite film ✨️

[reelvibes91]

Oppenheimer Review

Christopher Nolan has had an amazing career. Anyone who has been watching his films over the years can attest to his greatness in both storytelling and technical achievements. Oppenheimer may end up being the crown jewel of his career. The one film in 50 years which will still be talked about from the filmography of Nolan.

Oppenheimer is a stunning achievement. The intertwining of black and white and color to indicate perspective helped you stay focused on the complex narrative unfolding. There are so many people, places, encounters that occurred over these years that it would be hard to keep track of it all. The use of perspective lets you know whether it was directly viewed through Oppenheimer or whether it was the feeling of someone else associated with him.

It is hard to deny that the cast has starpower. Cillian Murphy delivered what can easily be described as a career defining performance. There is absolutely no way he does not score at least an Oscar nomination for this role. Stated here, it would personally be a travesty if he did not win. This is a dynamic and transformative acting display, and it tells one of the most important stories in the history of America.

Regardless of the stance people take on war and the use of these kinds of weapons, this happened. It is important that people know it and are educated on it and truly understand how much changed with the atomic bomb. This film tells that story, how each encounter, whether they appear big or small, can have an impact. We see that through the various cast members, including Florence Pugh as Jean Tatlock, Oppenheimer's communist lover. It is a smaller role but Pugh steals every scene she is in and shows just how much every moment of our lives and decision making impacts our life.

Oppenheimer's story is a culmination of exploration and scientific boundaries being pushed. Nolan perfectly captures the frantic nature of life through quick dialogue and government deception. The best scenes in this movie are the smaller ones. Of course, the bomb detonation scene is stellar from a visual perspective, but the scenes that work best are the ones filled with heavy dialogue. Most notably, the scenes with Einstein, Strauss, and all the others who Oppenheimer went for guidance and forgiveness. The best scene is saved for last. It would be a disservice to spoil the nature of it, but it truly contextualizes the entirety of how society works. It required no visual feats, just two brilliant actors recreating a moment in time that changed everything. This is cinema at its peak. Triumphant achievement.

[engagemythrusters]

yknow. I'm gonna say it.

What is so wrong about Wrecker potentially not being smart? What is so wrong about someone being "dumb?" Every single goddamn post I have seen about this just... looks down on people who aren't conventionally smart. Like. What in fucks name is that about?

I'm not saying turn him into a goddamn baby like some people do. But I'm saying it's just fucking fine if he's ""dumb."" He doesn't have to be intelligent.

Also. Some of these posts just come across really fucking ableist btw. It's not a bad thing to have an intellectual disability... why are you all acting like it's such a crime if he did have one? Christ almighty you all are just as bad as people who fucking baby him. You don't fucking HAVE to put down intellecutal disabilities just because you don't like one idea.

[simptasticjoe]

Will Oppenheimer Be Nominated?

Oppenheimer just came out and is being hailed as an absolute success. People call it the best movie of the year and worthy of the Best Picture Award at the Oscars. However, the movie has a lack of diversity in it. Why is that a big deal, you ask? Because to be nominated for Best Picture, the movie must fit specific diversity requirements. Per…

[zachtank]

Opening the same day but is a total opposite story than Barbie is Oppenheimer. The horrible true story about the world weapon that changed everything. It will probably change perspectives on government and war in general.