Three physicists on cooperation between rivals, from fusion to nuclear restraint
Dennis Whyte shows that rival powers have shared fusion science since the Cold War and still build ITER together, while Carlo Rovelli and Max Tegmark point to the treaties, weapons bans and individual acts of restraint that kept nuclear rivals from destroying each other. Together they argue that cooperation between enemies has a real record, and they are frank about its costs: slow megaprojects and far too much reliance on luck.
Why was fusion research declassified during the Cold War? Show answer
Everyone was stuck at low temperatures and could not keep the hot fuel confined. Both sides realized how hard the problem was and opened the work up.
How did the West come to accept the Soviet tokamak result? Show answer
A British team used a then-new laser to measure the plasma temperature in the Soviet machine. Once it was confirmed, the world rushed to build tokamaks.
Why did Reagan and Gorbachev agree on a fusion project? Show answer
Their summit had stalled on other negotiations, and they wanted a symbol that they would keep working on something important to everyone. That project became ITER.
What is Dennis Whyte's criticism of ITER? Show answer
It has been repeatedly delayed and is hard to steer with seven partners, like seven chefs in the kitchen. He also thinks one attempt for the whole planet is too few.
How does Whyte say SPARC was able to move so fast? Show answer
A team of about 20 to 25 people designed it in roughly two years, drawing on the tools and knowledge built for ITER and on stronger magnets.
What lesson does Carlo Rovelli take from the Cold War? Show answer
That living together on the planet is more important than overpowering your enemy. He points to leaders who corresponded, stepped back and cut warheads.
What did Vasili Arkhipov do? Show answer
During the Cuban Missile Crisis he refused to give the third vote required to launch a nuclear torpedo from a Soviet submarine. He judged the Americans were signaling it to surface.
Why does Max Tegmark say good outcomes so far are not reassuring? Show answer
Several depended on the right person being in the right place. With repeated near-misses the odds of survival drop over time, so relying on luck fails eventually.
What is Matthew Meselson's rule about verifying a weapons ban? Show answer
Verification does not have to be perfect. Even a small chance of being caught, with the embarrassment and backlash that would follow, is usually enough to deter cheating.
Where does Tegmark draw the line on autonomous weapons? Show answer
He says algorithms should never make life or death decisions, and suggests a ban built on stigma.
Why does Whyte say sharing fusion is safer than sharing nuclear power? Show answer
Fusion has no chain reaction and physically cannot release its energy explosively, so it does not bring a more powerful weapon with it.
How do Rovelli and Tegmark read the Cuban Missile Crisis differently? Show answer
Rovelli sees proof that leaders can step back. Tegmark sees a warning, because the outcome turned on a single officer's vote.