Why has the general public been skeptical of nuclear energy, seemingly even before the technology existed? Joining the boys on this week’s episode of Silent Generation is Madison Hilly, founder and director of the Campaign for a Green Nuclear Deal, to discuss how the discourse around nuclear energy has been heavily influenced by its depictions in popular culture. They examine The China Syndrome, The Simpsons, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Chernobyl (2019) to examine how erroneous depictions of nuclear waste and nuclear meltdowns have fomented fear. Amongst other things they talk about when Madi went viral for taking a picture next to nuclear waste while pregnant, how the baby boomer strain of environmentalism leans more “conservationist,” why nuclear waste and slime in childrens’ media is always depicted as being green, and how left wing opposition to nuclear energy seems to come from subconscious fears that radioactive material isn’t “natural.” 

Links:

The Campaign for a Green Nuclear Deal

Madison Hilly’s Twitter

Pregnant Woman Poses With 'Nuclear Waste' To Prove Point About Radiation (Newsweek)

By the Waters of Babylon by Stephen Vincent Benét

Cornelia Hesse-Honegger’s Mutations

Science Behind Science Fiction: How do Teenage Turtles become Mutant Ninjas?

Studies Show That, As We Age, Our Ability To See Vivid Colors Decline

Holtec reports “remarkable progress” towards restart of Palisades

Artwork:

Nuclear power plant LCCN, Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs division

digital ID highsm.13019, CC0

Recorded on 5/26/2024