Nuclear weapons - humanity's biggest mistake?
In light of the recent elevation of tensions between the two nuclear armed nations of the United States and North Korea, the familiar threat of nuclear armageddon has reared its ugly head once again. However, given the tumultuous shift in the political landscapes of both nations the question has to be asked as to whether the normal cycle of ramping up threatening rhetoric followed by restraint and deescalation will continue, or are we just one misconstrued tweet away from the end of days?
My issue with nuclear weapons is the absoluteness of their nature, they're indiscriminate in their choice of victims, whether that be people, animals or the very earth itself. It is this characteristic of being un-selective and irrevocable that makes nuclear conflict a truly frightening prospect. As heinous as conventional wars are there always seems to be some underlying presence of hope, hope that the conflict will end and from the ashes regeneration can begin. However, when it comes to a nuclear conflict it becomes difficult to rebuild from ashes irradiated to such hazardous levels they can kill you in an instant. It is the total devastation of nuclear weapons which makes them such an evil force, devastation so severe it vaporises any notions of hope, leaving in its wake a cloud of despair.
Furthermore, the after effects of a nuclear conflict would leave a permanent blemish on the part of the earth where they were used, most likely to the detriment of the wildlife and people of generations to come. As we already live in a world where space is in short supply, do we really have the luxury to reduce the amount of land mass available for humans to occupy by bombarding it with masses of radiation?
Proponents of nuclear weapons have often stated their purpose exists only as a deterrent and no rational nation would ever think of using them against another nuclear state, as to do so would seal their own fate. But, there appears to be a lapse in this line of logic as a deterrent is only effective if your opponent believes that you are willing to use it, thus, a very dangerous game of 'chicken' ensues. As we find ourselves living in increasingly irrational times maybe it is high time that we begin to reassess the place of nuclear weapons in our world and ask ourselves if we can live with the price we will pay if they are used?