I found this short and powerful video of part of Oppenheimer's speech after the trial run of the atomic bomb in New Mexico. I interpreted his show of emotion as remorse, what do you see in his tone and expressions?
Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8H7Jibx-c0
Emma,
ReplyDeleteI agree in that he seemed remorseful for what had ensued. I also got the impression that he was a bit shocked at what he had done. There were indeed moments of remorse, but for most of the video it seemed he had a blank, almost spacey look on his face, almost as if he were speaking to himself rather than the camera.
I agree Alex! I am not sure how soon after the run the video was recorded, but he seems shocked into realizing the situation. Like suddenly he understands that everything is real, it's not just theoretical equations and an abstract concept.
ReplyDeleteThis also reminded me of Arendt's commentary on the Eichmann trial. Oppenheimer said "he should do his duty" when relaying the story of Vishnu. Was this Oppenheimer's way of saying that it was his duty, even if he did not like the effects and that if he didn't, someone else would have?
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ReplyDeleteI'm still getting the hang of blogspot.
DeleteHere is the exact same quote being used in popular media. I believe its use here evidences the changes of how we view nuclear weapons.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrRiUWYBI64
Wow that is super interesting Matt! What does it say about our culture that a movie about Godzilla is utilizing a quote from the father of the atomic bomb? Does that belittle the situation if a fictional movie uses a quote from such a serious incident?
ReplyDeleteI do believe that it does belittle the power behind the nuclear bomb. It seems to me that the serious nature of the atomic bomb has been reduced because it has become a cliche in popular media.
DeleteIt seems to me that any mad scientist antagonist or terrorist in a movie uses an atomic bomb. For example see Bane from the latest Batman movie.
Nuclear weapons are highly effective plot devices, the protagonist must defuse them or something bad will happen. However I believe that the continual usage of nuclear weapons as plot devices has belittled the serious nature of them and their consequences.