An important component of Joseph Masco’s "Nuclear Borderlands" is the paradox that nuclear weapons- which are immensely and incomprehensibly destructive- are produced in the name of keeping us safe. Much of the fear surrounding nuclear weapons revolves around their intentional use by belligerent nuclear powers or rogue actors, but this fear seems misplaced. No nuclear weapon has ever been stolen, and the only time they have only been used as weapons of war once by the United States. Indeed, the vastness of America’s nuclear arsenal seems to be effective in preventing such foreign attacks. However, while deterrence may work, this does not mean nuclear weapons are making the United States safer. In fact, there is a large amount of evidence that America’s nuclear arsenal poses a risk to itself. America’s nuclear technology is extremely complex, and although it is used and maintained by highly trained technicians, these specialists are nonetheless prone to human fallibility. It is this human fallibility, by

A paper by William Herschel, presented at The Royal Society on 3rd February, 1785.

"That the milky way is a most extensive stratum of stars, of various sizes, admits no longer of the least doubt; and that our sun is actually one of the heavenly bodies belonging to it is as evident. I have now viewed and gauged this shining zone in almost every direction, and find it composed' of stars."
—

He meant what he said, and said what he meant.

"Just listen to some of the appalling waste we have already identified: ... $8 million for making mice transgender.

This is real." -- Donald Trump

*audible sigh*

In his first speech of this presidency to a joint session of Congress on March 4, 2025, the current President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, made the