“The bomb, carefully engineered by some of the 20th century’s most brilliant scientists, able to raze cities and civilizations, has always spanned rationality and irrationality, logic and madness.” – Nicole Hemmer

For decades, nuclear war seemed to most of us like a relic. It was a danger confined to black-and-white footage of mushroom clouds and newsreels of children under desks. But the past year has changed everything, and fast.

In a recent poll of what Americans fear will “put an end to humanity,” 35% of Americans feared it would be nuclear war—far more than climate change (15%) and “The Rapture” (15%). Kim Jong-un’s rapid acceleration of North Korea’s nuclear program has caused much of this rise, but so has a singularly aggressive US president who is more willing to taunt his enemies.

Are the threats we face in 2018 that different from those in decades past? On the fiftieth anniversary of the signing of the nuclear nonproliferation treaty, join us as we explore the social and political history of nuclear war from 1968 to our current moment. What philosophies and tactics governed nuclear war in the mid-20th Century, and how have they changed? What safeguards are in place to prevent nuclear winter? Is it ever moral to strike first? Are we really on the brink, or just better at scaring ourselves?

Event is all ages. Registration is encouraged, but not required for this free event. Register here.

Media sponsor: KUOW.

Organized by Humanities WA.