It's the End of the World as We Know It

A few nights ago, the network ABC aired a primetime special, which detailed several different ways the world could end, from the death of a star to mass volcano eruptions. It's unusual, since a friend of mine recently became concerned with some type of nuclear disaster.

I've made it clear in the past that I'm not a fan of the scare tactics TV networks use. If I could quote yet another movie, K from Men in Black tells J that the reason people go on living the calm, normal lives that they do is because they don't know about all the aliens there and all the times Earth is threatened with destruction. Bottom line is, you don't want to start a panic or a riot with these disasters. But I suppose that is a discussion for another time.

As far as nuclear disasters are concerned, that's a touchy subject. We don't have the nuclear scares that we used to during the Cold War. But now, Iran and North Korea have been experimenting with nuclear weapons, and people are starting to worry again.

Can a nuclear disaster happen? Yes.

Will a nuclear disaster happen? I'd have to say odds are against it.

Why? Because I think it would take a giant miscalculation on someone's part, or, it would take a truly insane person who doesn't have someone around them saying "what are you, an idiot?"

I'd like to believe that the leaders and countries of the world are too smart to get involved in a nuclear war..or any massive conflict, for that matter. Traditionally speaking, war is fought over territory, or to overthrow/eliminate another party. A smart leader would see that starting a massive conflict would likely end not only in the extermination of the enemy, but of your own people as well. There would be no clear cut winner. Just a bunch of smoldering ruins and radioactive environments that will be unlivable for some time to come.

That's why I said it would take a tremendous mistake or a crazy person for this to happen. If Country X has a computer malfunction and fires missiles at Country Y, then without question Country Y is going to retaliate. I doubt that Country Y is going to call Country X and go "hey, did you mean to fire those missiles at us? You didn't? Oh well that's good. Have a nice day."

And crazy people...well...lots of them in the world. A few of them in charge of a country. Some pretty much rule with an iron fist, so it's doubtful that one of his subordinates would have the guts to speak up should said ruler decide to launch missiles at people.

Politicians, though, seem to do their best to prevent something like that from occurring.

So there's my "optimistic" view. I don't think we're on the brink of nuclear disaster as much as we were 20 years ago. That doesn't mean it won't happen. We have to trust on the competence of our governments, and on the sanity of certain world leaders - which for some can be a tall order indeed.