Today on Moment of Zen, Erik Torenberg talk with Samo Burja on nuclear weapons proliferation, energy geopolitics, and his "nuclear accelerationist" argument that widespread nuclear capability is inevitable, so countries should pursue abundant nuclear energy despite proliferation risks.

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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DISCUSSION:

Core Argument: "Nuclear Accelerationism"

Nuclear weapons proliferation is inevitable - the 80-year-old technology is only getting easier
We're paying security costs without reaping energy benefits
Should accelerate civilian nuclear development to achieve energy abundance

North Korea precedent: Even poor, isolated countries can build nukes
Japan example: Already has tons of plutonium, could build weapons in <1 year
Proliferation ratchet: Countries rarely denuclearize once they acquire weapons
National security incentives overwhelm nonproliferation efforts

Nuclear club expansion: Countries with existing weapons should build thousands of reactors
Energy exports: Non-nuclear countries buy electricity from nuclear neighbors
Scale economics: Need massive reactor deployment for true cost advantages
Incentive structure: Subsidize alternatives for countries that forgo nuclear tech

Small arsenals (dozens of nukes) create different dynamics than superpower stockpiles (thousands)
Current "doomsday machine" logic only applies to US/Russia/China
Widespread small arsenals might actually reduce conventional war risk

Is Nuclear Proliferation Inevitable? | Samo Burja 01:03:21 Share

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Is Nuclear Proliferation Inevitable? | Samo Burja