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Twin Nuclei Problem: Difference between revisions
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The '''Twin Nuclei Problem of Cell and Atom''' is the recognition that having gained the power to manipulate genetic and atomic nuclei between 1952 and 1953, humanity is now in possession of unprecedented destructive power, and thus capable of self-extinction. All of human civilization is now one correlated experiment, and any sufficiently large event may be enough to end it. That such an event has not yet occurred is largely a function of luck, and as evidenced by the coronavirus pandemic, that luck is fragile and running out. | The '''Twin Nuclei Problem of Cell and Atom''' is the recognition that having gained the power to manipulate genetic and atomic nuclei between 1952 and 1953, humanity is now in possession of unprecedented destructive power, and thus capable of self-extinction. All of human civilization is now one correlated experiment, and any sufficiently large event may be enough to end it. That such an event has not yet occurred is largely a function of luck, and as evidenced by the coronavirus pandemic, that luck is fragile and running out. The idea was first introduced in [[ep18|episode 18]] of [[The Portal Podcast]]. | ||
The conditions for the Twin Nuclei Problem began at the end of World War II, with the use of atomic fission bombs to force Japan's surrender. | The conditions for the Twin Nuclei Problem began at the end of World War II, with the use of atomic fission bombs to force Japan's surrender. | ||