Title: The Impact of Nuclear Physics on Society

Abstract: Born in war, nuclear science was first revealed to the world in horror. The Cold War, power plant disasters, and current political tensions continue to play into people’s fears of everything nuclear. But what is the scientist’s role? The author uses public scholarship to help address these fears by exploring the impact nuclear science has on society. When the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and Edward Teller planned to “nuke” a harbor in Point Hope Alaska, the Iñupiat residents and local scientists fought to keep their land pristine. Find out what happened in Point Hope and how this impacts everything from nuclear testing to a possible cure for Alzheimer’s disease.

Host: Richard Longland