this post was submitted on 28 Mar 2026
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That was a fascinating read! The 2 accidents surrounding it were very interesting to read about. They were both basic human mistakes that led to the ghastly consequences they unfortunately produced. The 2nd accident though, by Slotin--that was hubris. How could one have skirted such simple safety protocols? Dude was controlling a very very very powerful experiment with a screwdriver in his hand being all that stood between the team of scientists and a staggering amount of radiation... Then it slips! ๐
Whats even more terrible about the second one, is Feynman over there telling him he was a fucking idiot for doing it that way and he (Slotin) was going to get himself killed.
Anyone who hasn't read Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman, go check it out
I think they were referring to it as "tickling the dragons tail" which certainly seems like a fitting description. It's absolutely bonkers how much radiation exposure happened in that moment.
And Fermi
Richard Feynman
They made a movie that dramatized the accidents really well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hh89h8FxNhQ
The movie Fat Man and Little Boy
This is why we probably should be more careful when we do things that could potentially like, oh I dunno, open up a black hole here on Earth. I mean, it's not like accidents never happen!! Oh wait... they DO!