All Segments
"Manhattan Projects for X" don't make any sense
6 segments available
From my conversation with Richard Rhodes, historian and author of "The Making of the Atomic Bomb." Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMdMiYsfHKo Or read the transcript here: https://www.dwarkeshpatel.com/p/richard-rhodes Twitter: https://twitter.com/dwarkesh_sp Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3oBack9 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3S5g2YK
Segments Timeline
The Misuse of 'Manhattan Project'
Richard Rhodes critiques the frequent invocation of the term 'Manhattan Project for X' in discussions about new technologies. He emphasizes that the original Manhattan Project was a unique historical event, addressing a specific problem with established basic science, unlike many contemporary issues.
"People use the phrase, "we need a Manhattan project for X." If it's some new technology, or something. Does it make sense to use that terminology? No. It's been used so many times over the years ..."
The Misuse of 'Manhattan Project'
Richard Rhodes critiques the frequent invocation of the term 'Manhattan Project' for various modern initiatives. He argues that this terminology is inappropriate as it refers to a unique historical context with specific challenges that cannot be replicated in contemporary projects.
"People use the phrase, "we need a Manhattan project for X." If it's some new technology, or something. Does it make sense to use that terminology? No. It's been used so many times over the years ..."
Engineering Marvels of the Manhattan Project
Rhodes elaborates on the engineering feats achieved during the Manhattan Project, highlighting that it was primarily an engineering program rather than a scientific one. He notes the involvement of Nobel laureate physicists as engineers and the remarkable precision required to develop the atomic bomb.
"special time, and it was a very special problem. The basic science was in hand. Oppenheimer once said, we didn't do any basic science between 1939 and 1945. It was a vast engineering program. Ther..."
A Unique Historical Context
Rhodes elaborates on the distinct nature of the Manhattan Project, emphasizing that it was a special time with the basic science already established. He highlights the project as a vast engineering feat, primarily involving Nobel laureate physicists working under immense pressure to create a new weapon.
"special time, and it was a very special problem. The basic science was in hand. Oppenheimer once said, we didn't do any basic science between 1939 and 1945. It was a vast engineering program. Ther..."
Secrecy and Scale of the Project
Rhodes discusses the scale and secrecy of the Manhattan Project, revealing that 600,000 people worked on it under strict confidentiality. He points out the extraordinary nature of maintaining such secrecy in a massive government project, contrasting it with modern startups and investments.
"all those things. They solved some problems that I don't know how anybody else could have solved. Most of these problems aren't like that. Nobody was starting a startup with some investment from a..."
Secrecy and Scale of the Project
Rhodes discusses the scale and secrecy of the Manhattan Project, noting that it was a government initiative involving 600,000 people. He points out the extraordinary measures taken to maintain confidentiality, illustrating the unique parameters that set this project apart from modern endeavors.
"all those things. They solved some problems that I don't know how anybody else could have solved. Most of these problems aren't like that. Nobody was starting a startup with some investment from a..."