In today's world, with eroding trust in institutions and escalating global conflicts, the idea of dystopia feels all too familiar. Amidst this backdrop, there are individuals and organizations striving to uphold global stability and preserve our humanity. Nevertheless, it's common for us to contemplate worst-case scenarios given the circumstances.
"Fallout," a newly released show on Amazon Prime inspired by the beloved video game franchise, delves into the theme of survival in a post-nuclear war world.
In "Fallout," the story unfolds in two distinct periods within the Los Angeles area: first, in the moments leading up to the nuclear bomb drops across the US, and second, 200 years later. Lucy MacLean (played by Ella Purnell) serves as the show's protagonist and is a "vault-dweller" — a term used for individuals who reside underground in sealed bunkers created by Vault-Tec, a fictional company. Despite their world's grim history, Lucy and her community in Vault 33 maintain hope that one day, when radiation levels on the surface subside, they can contribute to the revival of civilization. However, when Lucy's father, the leader of their vault, is abducted by surface dwellers, Lucy ventures out of her bunker to rescue him.
As Lucy sets out on her mission to locate her father, she discovers that the surface is a harsh and unforgiving environment. Food and clean water are scarce, and danger lurks in every corner in the form of bandits and mutants. The few survivors she encounters are cynical and distrustful, viewing Lucy and her sheltered life in the vault with resentment. One disgruntled shopkeeper articulates this sentiment, claiming that the vaults were merely luxurious shelters for the wealthy elite to escape while the rest of the world faced destruction.
Indeed, in our real world, there are wealthy people investing in bunkers in case shit hits the fan, including some big names like Mark Zuckerberg. But what about everyone else? That’s a key message in Fallout: Survival isn’t equitable. And while Fallout is a fictional depiction of nuclear war that’s heavy on the sci-fi, nuclear warfare itself is not off the table in reality. There are also plenty of other existential risks that can shape how we live, like future pandemics, a changing climate causing extreme weather and disasters, and harmful artificial intelligence.
The terror of nuclear war stems from its capacity to unleash devastating destruction within moments. The harrowing aftermath of the US atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki nearly 80 years ago serves as a stark reminder of the profound human suffering and loss of life caused by nuclear weapons. This history underscores the urgent need to prevent such catastrophic events from recurring. However, despite global efforts, nine countries still possess nuclear weapons, with the United States and Russia holding the largest arsenals, comprising thousands of nuclear warheads. This reality underscores the ongoing threat posed by nuclear weapons and the critical imperative to pursue disarmament and non-proliferation efforts to safeguard humanity from the horrors of nuclear conflict.
So I reached out to Seth Baum, the executive director of the Global Catastrophic Risk Institute, a think tank that analyzes the greatest threats to civilization and develops strategies to reduce these risks. We talked about what the aftermath of a nuclear war could look like in our real world — and also what we should focus on now to prevent this scenario from happening, as well as how we could prepare for it if it does.
"We do need to take this seriously, as dark and unpleasant as it is," Seth Baum emphasized. "Addressing the risks of nuclear war is a critical endeavor because it could truly make a life-or-death difference for a vast number of people." This underscores the gravity and urgency of efforts to prevent and prepare for nuclear conflicts and other existential threats facing our world today.
It's crucial to address existential risks posed by nuclear weapons, climate change, pandemics, and artificial intelligence. Leading experts and thought leaders are actively working on solutions to mitigate these risks, as highlighted by the Future Perfect 50 list of 2023. Their efforts focus on developing strategies to reduce the likelihood and impact of these threats, ultimately safeguarding the future of humanity. This underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and proactive measures to address complex global challenges.