The bomb (part 1): were nuclear weapons inevitable?
Economist Podcasts16 Heinä 2025

The bomb (part 1): were nuclear weapons inevitable?

Where did the world’s most devastating weapon come from? In a four-part series, we go behind the scenes at America's nuclear laboratories to understand how a scientific-mystery story about the ingredients of matter led to a world-changing (and second-world-war-ending) bomb less than five decades later.


Nuclear weapons have been central to geopolitical power ever since. Now America is seeking to modernise its stockpile and, in doing so, its scientists are pushing the frontiers of extreme physics, materials science and computing.


In episode one, we look at the birth of nuclear physics—the science that emerged early in the 20th century to answer a mystery: what is an atom actually made of?


Host: Alok Jha, The Economist’s science and technology editor. Contributors: Frank Close, a physicist and author of “Destroyer of Worlds”, a history of the birth of nuclear physics; Cheryl Rofer, a chemist who used to work at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL); and Nicholas Lewis, a historian at LANL.


This episode features archive from the Atomic Heritage Foundation.


Listen to episode two here.


Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts.


This is a free episode. To continue listening to “The Bomb”, you’ll need to subscribe.


Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+.


For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jaksot(1903)

Replacement anxiety: White supremacist terrorism

Replacement anxiety: White supremacist terrorism

The terrorist attack in Christchurch, New Zealand, has left 50 people dead and a lot of unanswered questions. How big a threat are violent white supremacists? We take a look at a network of museums in China trying to commemorate that country’s murderous experience in the 20th century without offending the Communist Party. And our San Francisco correspondent goes in pursuit of free stuff - a lot of it-in the Bay Area. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

18 Maalis 201923min

Can't deal with it: Brexit

Can't deal with it: Brexit

It’s been another brutal week for Britain’s prime minister as her deal to leave Europe was swatted down comprehensively—again. As a delay to Brexit looks likely, we ask what all the chaos reveals about how Brexit will ultimately play out. Ahead of global climate protests by schoolchildren, we examine how a proposal regarding geoengineering—radically reversing the effects of climate change—reflects coming squabbles over regulating the approaches. And, why is it so difficult to open an Irish pub in Ireland? Additional music, "Kesh Jig, Leitrim Fancy", by Sláinte, licensed under a Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 United States License Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

15 Maalis 201922min

Lights out: Venezuela’s blackout

Lights out: Venezuela’s blackout

Power cuts in Caracas have endangered lives and deepened the misery of Venezuelans. It’s another sign of the corruption that pervades the Maduro regime. Also, how do you make a 10,000 ton ship disappear? And the Hebrew bible - otherwise known as the old testament - gets a fresh new translation. Music courtesy of Ethan James McCollum Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

14 Maalis 201922min

Losing the plot: Brexit

Losing the plot: Brexit

The second defeat of British Prime Minister’s plan for withdrawal from the EU has weakened her. But what does it mean for the risk of a no-deal outcome? The chances of a Brexit delay are rising by the day. Competition between major powers for influence in Africa is intensifying, as Russia, China, Europe and America all see potential in the continent. And more gender-inclusive language is proving a headache for grammarians. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

13 Maalis 201921min

Flying stop: Boeing

Flying stop: Boeing

Following a second fatal crash of Boeing’s 737-MAX, China was quick to ground its fleet of the newish airliner. What does this mean for the world’s largest planemaker? In Russia, protests have broken out against President Vladimir Putin’s attempt to isolate and control the country’s internet. His bid to regain Russians’ full attention may come too late. And, we look at why so many women are getting divorced in Bangladesh. Additional audio from Anton Scherbakov Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

12 Maalis 201921min

The sensitive month: Tibet

The sensitive month: Tibet

China’s party leaders get nervous in March—a month full of anniversaries that Tibetans hold dear. As the 60th anniversary of Tibet’s uprising approaches, security is tighter than usual. Corporate-risk managers are rotten at assessing their exposure to a changing climate; we examine the dangers that many are ignoring. And, a look back at André Previn—and a life of far more than just show tunes and showmanship. Additional audio courtesy of Twitter users @ngagya95 and @TibetPeople Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

11 Maalis 201923min

Fifth time unlucky: Algeria’s protests

Fifth time unlucky: Algeria’s protests

Widespread protests will continue today against the re-election run of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who hasn’t been heard from since a stroke in 2013. Algerians have had enough of their country’s proxy rule and misrule. We also ask if countries can sometimes be better run when their leaders are out of action. And, knife crime is on the rise in Britain, but the causes—and the solutions—are a matter of uncomfortable debate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

8 Maalis 201922min

Guilt and association: Paul Manafort

Guilt and association: Paul Manafort

President Donald Trump’s former campaign manager can expect to have the book thrown at him at his sentencing today—the first for crimes revealed by Robert Mueller, the special counsel investigating Mr Trump’s campaign. Following a tense stand-off with Pakistan, we look at how Hindu nationalism has shaped Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s time in office, and will shape his re-election campaign. And, how North Korean refugees ship money home illicitly. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

7 Maalis 201923min

Suosittua kategoriassa Politiikka ja uutiset

aikalisa
rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
tervo-halme
rss-vaalirankkurit-podcast
et-sa-noin-voi-sanoo-esittaa
rss-kuka-mina-olen
rss-podme-livebox
politiikan-puskaradio
otetaan-yhdet
rikosmyytit
rss-merja-mahkan-rahat
aihe
viisupodi
rss-hyvaa-huomenta-bryssel
rss-raha-talous-ja-politiikka
rss-tasta-on-kyse-ivan-puopolo-verkkouutiset
rss-50100-podcast