NUCLEAR TESTING: A testosterone-poisoned perspective on atomic weapons

Frida:    Can you believe it? Over 500 nuclear tests have been conducted since 1945!

Satoru:   (blinking his eyes in feigned surprise) Human stupidity is amazing.

Ying:     When will we stop?

Dmiritri: I suspect only when it's a necessity – not a choice.

Frida:    God help us! At that point, it may be too late.


                We're a peace-loving 
            nation determined to be strong. 
        There’s no need to be upset if we convert 
    megatons of rock into radioactive dust, demonstrating 
      our freedom and independence will never be for
    gone. Other nations have detonated nuclear devices - 
        why shouldn't we? All nations with  atomic 
       arsenals need to flex their muscles so neigh
        bors can see. We are proud of our techno-
            logy and political respect comes
                      from money & 
                     military might. 
                       Even idiots  
                        understand 
                          anyone 
                        messing with
                        us must pay 
                          an awe
                           some
                           price.


Pixxâkiû:   Do you think the author believed this foolish rhetoric?

AR3X108:    Who knows? Rhetoric often has a seductive power.

Pixxâkiû:   Only a few people consistently cut through rhetoric with clear logic.

AR3X108:    That statement sounds rather naive: isn't logic itself but another form of rhetoric?


=====================================================================================
from Peace Pieces: Reflections on Violence and Conflict Resolution by T Newfields
SUMMARY: A pictorial poem about nuclear arms testing and dialog about moral choice and necessity.
KEYWORDS: atomic weapons, peace poetry, nuclear testing, military defense, the nuclear club

Author: T Newfields [Nitta Hirou / Huáng Yuèwǔ] (b. 1955)
Begun: 1995 in Shizuoka, Japan ⩝ Finished: 2019 in Yokohama, Japan
Creative Commons License: Attribution. {{CC-BY-4.0}} Granted

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