Week 11

Revolution 9.0 

We have all witnessed the massive destruction that the 2011 earthquake and tsunami has created in Japan. It is a tragic reminder of our vulnerability as people living within a much greater and stronger system than we ourselves can create. Our hearts go out to all those who are suffering and we wish everyone well as they pick up the pieces of their lives. In this moment we should take heed and not be so blind to think that a similar fate could not visit us one day. We are also well aware that following these natural events a number of the nuclear reactors that lie directly on the coast of Japan sustained significant damage. Due to some of the very hazardous materials that create nuclear power people all over the world have raised concern and are debating the merits of nuclear power as this story continues to unfold.

I have also followed this story and of course there are at least two sides to it. My understanding is that one narrative is completely alarmed by the hazards and health effects of nuclear power. Another narrative speaks about the relative safety of this technology and gives such events a pass because of the "necessity" of nuclear power in society. What is indisputable is that nuclear power can, as it is now and has done before, greatly threaten the health of the environment and people. It is also clear that industry and regulators are in a relationship that weakens our ability to oversee this technology. What is key in this debate is the assumption that nuclear power is a necessary technology. The question is necessary for what? It may be true, or it may not, that nuclear power is necessary for more and more people to continue the lifestyles that the wealthy enjoy today. We have lights, we have large homes, and we have every piece of technology that we can afford. Along with this wealth comes a huge amount of waste. Our homes and technologies squander the precious power that we have through their inefficiency. Can anyone justify nuclear power until we have exhausted renewable and created greater energy efficiency? Can a 9.0 earthquake, a 30 foot tsunami, and a partial nuclear meltdown stimulate us enough to do this? This disaster is on top of the chronic environmental problems that we already face. Creating better efficiency and moving us to conserve what we have would do us a tremendous service. This is the sane approach. Even in the best case scenario of nuclear power we still have to deal with the wastes that these plants produce. Is not in our interest, is it not in our curiosity, is not in our spirit to create the cleanest, most efficient, and most advanced technology ever created? We hail our selves as a  competitive and cutting edge society, yet our technologies do not often reflect this spirit. If we do not make our voices heard then industries and government will continue us down these miserable and thwarted paths. It is a tragedy that one person will die or get sick from human error in Japan, but it is even more tragic that the world may watch it happen again.

Animations
If you study chemistry make sure you check out this very informative and user friendly version of the periodic table. It's a great tool!

http://ull.chemistry.uakron.edu/genobc/periodic/