Is there anyone out there who actually understands nuclear power?

[darkstar3]

Is there anyone out there who recognizes that nuclear power CAN be safe and efficient?

The level of fear-based propaganda and hysteria that I see on display...elsewhere...makes me wonder...

Don't mind me, I'm just incredibly frustrated at the remarkable display of anti-science sentiment I'm finding.

[Codeine]

1. This will be a very difficult time for advocates of

the only truly green energy source capable of providing our enormous global energy needs for the next several decades. Anti-nuke hysteria just got a whole new bowl of kibble to feed on.

[Warpy]

2. I'll buy that when they find a way to detoxify the waste

and by that I mean render it harmless instead of burying it somewhere.

[trotsky]

3. Clearly not.

I especially love the ones who chime in with pie-in-the-sky statements like "burning garbage can provide all the energy we need!" or "we can get enough energy from wind and solar!"

I do have to the question the wisdom of anyone who decides to build a nuclear plant so close to a fault line, but is there any part of Japan that one would consider far enough away? Probably not.

[toddaa]

4. You clearly do not understand, trotsky

You see, all we have to do is get enough Democrats elected to win a filibuster proof majority in the Congress and repeal the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics. Voting for Democrats solves every other problem we are faced with, I don't see why we can't solve this one as well.

Or maybe you're one of those Obama bashers, who wants Sarah Palin to be president.

[onager]

8. And Dems would be elected, if we'd just quit being atheists!

Oh, and cold-hearted mechanistic skeptical grumps and stuff.

[laconicsax]

6. There's also another factor:

The problem I see is that one side doesn't seem to understand the safety, and the other doesn't seem to understand the risks. I can't remember ever seeing a discussion/debate on the issue where each side actually addressed the other side's points. It's always "Incredibly dangerous with no upside vs. Perfect solution with no downsides" and each side talks past the other.

[trotsky]

7. You mean there are gray areas in life?

Why didn't anyone tell me this?!?!?

Next I suppose you're gonna tell me that big pharma ISN'T seeking ways to kill us all with every single drug (and VACCINE ZOMGWTFBBQ) they make?

[toddaa]

10. Nuclear power is one of those topics that is nearly impossible to discuss calmly

I'm not anti nuke, but I don't see it as a solution to our energy problems because uranium, just like fossil fuel, is not a renewable resource (I'm a peak oil loony). Fission is also incredibly wasteful, and dangerous waste at that. At best, it's a temporary stop gap measure to tide us over until we can we can finally figure out how to properly create fusion power without massive energy input.

But those are nuanced discussions that require scientific knowledge that I do not claim to possess. What fascinates me about this particular incident is the engineering of the plants and not the merits or dangers of nuclear power. Engineering, like science, is not perfect. It improves over time. This disaster will require everyone to recognize the danger of building plants at sea level and assess risks to other plants that could be vulnerable to tsunamis. The solution isn't to stop innovating and retreat into the caves.

IRL I have the word engineer tacked on to my job description, but I work in IT and know that there is no engineering in software. No way IT could have come up with something like this.

[laconicsax]

12. As I read your comment, I can only imagine the flamewar that would ensue if you posted it in GD

It's a shame that such a straightforward post is probably too nuanced to be appreciated.

[toddaa]

14. Nuance in GD? I believe that leads to pizza deliveries

:evilgrin:

[Name removed]

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[TZ]

9. Is there anyone who realizes nuclear technology isn't just used

in power plants as well? I am surprised at the amount of people who don't know about Nuclear Medicine. Nor the fact that many of the research techniques that are used in biology from drug discovery to of course radio dating use small amounts of radiactive materials?

[Deep13]

11. Well, my question is if it is safe as long as it is contained...

...and regulated in a reactor, what happens in the event of a catastropic structural failure in the case of a huge earthquake (to pick an obvious example)?

[Orrex]

13. I'm afraid that the water used in cooling towers will retain a quantum memory of the radioactivity

:scared:

[toddaa]

15. The earthquake should have provided adequate succussion

;)

[laconicsax]

16. When diluted, it can be used to cure radiation poisoning. n/t

[Silent3]

17. Why fear that?

The quantum memory of radiation will make it the perfect homeopathic radiation treatment! :)