Hey @histodons and @physics, what's a good book about the #manhattanproject that gives me a brief overview? Preferably in English or German. I recently read some historical books about early twentieth century #physics and the #viennacircle of the #philosophyofscience which kind of lead me to this topic.
I've heard the Barbie movie can now be streamed, but Oppenheimer is still on deck. While waiting, if you're in the mood to supplement your knowledge of America's early atomic endeavor, "Now It Can Be Told–The Story of The Manhattan Project" might be just what you need. This vintage book is available here now.
My last word on the #Oppenheimer film is a quote from Leo Szilard (a fleeting presence in the film, but a key historical figure who wrote the “Einstein letter” re-enacted after the war in the photo below).
Speaking in Cincinnati in January 1947 Szilard said:
“Mass murderers have always commanded the attention of the public, and atomic scientists are no exception to the rule”
@bojacobs@histodons
Conversely, this narrative could also use a little perspective. No mention of the WMDs Japan planed.
Unit 731 bioweapons field tested against civilians in China?
Fu-Go balloon bomb delivery system? Operation Cherry Blossoms at Night set to kill the civilians in SoCal for Sept, 1945?
Everywhere Oppenheimer's quoting of the Bhagavad Gita is presented as showing how deep and cool he was. An analysis of the quote and its implications in the Gita reveal something less cool.
As James Hijiya shows in his paper, "The Gita of J. Robert Oppenheimer," he shows how Oppenheimer's invocation of the quote was eerily similar to the "I was just following orders" of those who killed for another WW2 nation.