Replies

But changing the mind of the public...how do you reach those who do not care...which is the vast majority.

You do a little at a time. Do what you can do. Getting organized is one way. That is what the anti-nukes do. Find an advocacy group and help out. American Nuclear Society is a professional organization but they have a public outreach function. Nuclear Energy Institute is a trade organization but they offer public education services. Take advantage of these.

I have come to a somewhat disconsolate but unalterable conclusion that the average American is quite intellectually lazy. It usually takes a shock to awaken them from their torpor. We've had those in the past with gasoline shortages and high prices, but the primary reaction seems to be screeching and a cry for government to "do something". When the really big shock comes, maybe it will change attitudes, but it may cost a lot of lives in doing so.

It usually takes a shock to awaken them from their torpor.

I thought 9/11 would do this. I remember remarking to a co-worker on 9/11, after we learned it was not an accident, something along the lines of 'they're back' and he found that quite insensitive. I guess all those years of actually reading the reports the FBI put out had made me expect such a thing. But the recent ban on liquids surprised me...seeing as it came a decade late.

I work a lot with Austin Energy, which is quite progressive...in the sense that they like actual progress...and since Austin owns a part of a nuke, it is fairly accepting of them. And our own Governor's fast-tracking of coal plants helped...as he knew it would. We will soon be the proud new owners of some new nuclear powered turbines. :)