Hiroshima and the Atomic Age: Reflections on Energy and Apocalypse
Maurizio Sentieri and Anita Romanello reflect on the atomic bomb's detonation over Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, as a defining historical rupture that inaugurated the atomic era. They argue that this event, which unleashed instantaneous atomic power, has shaped contemporary thought and anxieties, now paralleled by emerging fears around artificial intelligence and potential apocalyptic scenarios. The article draws a contrast between the sudden, traumatic release of atomic energy and its controlled, slow liberation for energy production, suggesting a lingering 'day after' mentality in global consciousness.
Key facts
- The first atomic bomb was detonated on August 6, 1945, in Hiroshima.
- The event is described as marking a definitive before and after in human history.
- The authors compare the impact of the atomic bomb to current fears about artificial intelligence.
- The atomic era began with the instantaneous release of atomic power.
- Controlled, slow release of atomic power is contrasted with the bomb's instantaneous release.
- The article suggests that the atomic bomb's effects have contaminated all contemporary thought.
- The 'day after' the bombing still lingers in collective memory.
- The piece is published on doppiozero.com.
Entities
Artists
- Maurizio Sentieri
- Anita Romanello
Institutions
- doppiozero
Locations
- Hiroshima