One thing I've noticed in this recent Ukraine\Russia conflict, is it seems that as a culture, we have lost the fear or even respect for the possibility of nuclear warfare.
I was a kid in the 80's, and in those days, and there was endless propaganda of the horrors of nuclear warfare. There were movies, mini-series on it all the time. My guess is in 1985, the average kid knew how many times over USA and Soviet Union could blow the world up with their current arsenals. We all knew how many miles a blast would be, and how far the radiation would be. Most boys had post nuclear life plans in the back of his head in those days.
The 1960's was before my time, but it sounds as if the fear then may have been greater. If you talk to some older citizens, they will talk about the Cuban missile crisis as if it was the most horrifying event of their lives. (this was a short stand off between USA and Soviet Union regarding USA blocking Soviet missiles being transported to Cuba.). The people of that time were absolutely TERRIFIED of the idea of engaging in a war with another nuclear power, because they this very easily could lead to the deaths of millions, if not the end of mankind. (prove them wrong?)
At the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Soviet Union had 500 warheads while USA had 7000. Today Russia has 6000 nuclear warheads while USA has about 5500. Yet, we act like the previous fear was just the imagination of previous generations.
We are doing everything in our power to provoke Russia. NATO or allies have most certainly sabotaged Russia's valuable pipeline. If this had happened back in the 1960's, the President would most likely have been impeached, for even giving the impression it was possible we were responsible.
Now it seems nobody fears or even respects the possibility of nuclear war. The Ukraine flag people are all celebrating and keep screaming "but the regions of Ukraine!!" "We have to do something!"
Are we sleepwalking into armageddon?
I wouldn’t say desensitized as much as many are so disillusioned to the power/class struggle of the world they don’t give a flying fuck and see nukes going off meaning either “good, some kind of actual change even though via destruction” and/or “good, at least it will be over quick for me or anyone getting bombed”
Inb4 “u don’t undurrrstands nukes aren’t instant death for everyone” or some shit as if I’m not aware of that … just explaining the thought the way I see it from having many friends on left and right who don’t give a fuck about nukes in a sense.
I think I'm at the point where I unironically would prefer living in the Fallout universe to being trapped in a never-ending clown world.
Mostly city dwellers would be wiped out ("progressives").
Nukes hit everywhere in the Fallout universe. Not just cities. Everywhere.
Fallout is a fun game.
There aren't enough warheads on the planet now or ever in our history to hit everywhere. The US would likely be hit by 3,000 nukes of which about 2/3rds would make it through (conservative estimate). So figure 2,000 nukes; 1,000 to the largest population centers and 1,000 to military and major infrastructure targets.
1,000 to population centers means that cities under about 30,000 population wouldn't be targeted. (Assuming they wanted to target the largest population centers). I've mapped this out in Google Earth and you'd be surprised how much space in the United States is totally unaffected. If you assume maximum instant damage they would mostly be air bursts so, little long term fallout.
Fallout would come from hardened military targets as they would be ground blasts instead of airbursts.
Clown world is pretty entertaining, but nuclear winter could be interesting, too. 🤔
I really enjoyed Half-Life.
Yep. 100% can feel that vibe. At least then you have a better idea of who is good/bad and a chance to rebuild/build your own world.