See and hear : the journal on audio-visual learning (1945)

available energy—a force that can be used cither for destruction or for the constructive benefit of mankind. \'arious erudite reports covering the destruc- tive and constructive potentialities of this sci- entific marvel — atomic energy —have been pre- pared by staffs of scientists and government rep- resentatives. These have been made public. They include the Smythe and the Acheson reports. But does the man on the street read this type of informative material? Could he understand it if he did? Thousands of words and hundreds of pictures have been printed in newspapers, magazines and even in books that describe this newly developed source of power—what it is—what it can do to us —what it can do for us. Motion pictures, the radio, in fact practically all channels of human commimication have been used to tell the people something about atomic energy. This country has submitted a proposal to the world, via the United Nations, that might be used to develop international controls over a weapon of war potentially capable of destroy- ing our civilization. The Russian government has also submitted a proposal. The recent tests conducted at Bikini atoll by the Army and Navy marked a new high in publicity relative to atomic energy. These tests also marked a neiu high in the general confusion about a scientific development that ivill directly affect the future of every person in the world. The explosion at Los Alamos—the first public notice of the development of methods to release atomic power—produced all kinds of predictions. Some of these were made by scientists and were based on cold scientific logic and fact. Others were made by pseudo-scientists and persons seeking publicity and had no basis in fact. The man on the street and the student—even today—in fact to a greater extent today, find it hard to differentiate between the possible and the impossible. The bombs dropped at Hiroshima and Naga- saks< showed the power of this energy. However, (continued on page fifty-two) Atomic aftermath at Hiroshima: August 6, 1945 ATOM FACTS: True and False ALL MAJOR POWERS HAVE ACCESS TO THE RAW MATERIALS NECESSARY TO PRODUCE ATOMIC ENERGY AND ATOMIC BOMBS. [T] Uranium, the critical material, is fairly widely scattered throughout the world. THE COST OF ATOMIC BOMBS IS PROHIBITIVE: [FJ Any nation that can afford an army or navy can afford atomic weapons which are rela- tively inexpensive. THIS NEW FORCE IS PRIMARILY A WEAPON OF DESTRUCTIVE WAR. » [F] If free research and development of new uses of atomic energy and the by-products of nuclear fission fulfills present expectations they can be used extensively in industry and medi- cine for the benefit of all mankind. WE CAN KEEP THE SECRET OF THE ATOM BOMB AND THUS MAINTAIN OUR SECURITY. [F] Most of the information necessary to the production of atomic weapons already has been published. Any country with scientists and in- dustrial organization can make atomic bombs within a few years. What our scientists have done, others can do. MORE POWERFUL AND DESTRUCTIVE ATOMIC WEAPONS ARE IN PROSPECT. [T] Scientists who helped develop the atomic bombs already used in warfare and in test ex- plosions state that bombs many times more powerful can be constructed with little trouble. DISPERSAL OF OUR CITIES WOULD PROVIDE A PRACTICAL DEFENSE AGAINST ATTACK WITH ATOMIC WEAPONS. [F] Dispersal of cities might prove an effective defense against such attack but such a plan would not be practical because of the enormous cost (estimated to be more than $300 billion for one such plan) and the time it would take to reorganize our industry and way of living. WE SHOULD TAKE OUR TIME IN MAKING DE- CISIONS RELATIVE TO THE CONTROL OF ATOMIC ENERGY AND HOW IT IS TO BE USED. [F] Other nations are bending every effort to de- velop atomic weapons. Scientists predict that this will be accomplished within from three to five years. It also is predicted that the armament race is likely to lead to another war unless effective means of controlling this new weapon are adopt- ed on an international scale. THE McMAHON BILL, AS PASSED BY CONGRESS, PROVIDES FOR THE CIVILIAN CONTROL OF ATOMIC ENERGY WITHIN THE UNITED STATES. [T] This is a true statement. The law provides for a civilian commission that will handle de- tails of the domestic control of atomic energy. OCTOBER 19 4 6 I 5