As news outlets continue to whine and moan about the dangers of the Fukoshima reactor problems, it seems relevant to note what they have not mentioned. It's important and impressive to note that the Fukoshima reactors have stood up this well against one of the strongest earthquakes ever. Despite being so close to the epicenter of the earthquake, the sum of all fears has not yet been realized.
What's fascinating about these mini-meltdowns is what the people have done and what the reactor has not. Japan's reactors are run by people, amazing people, who, whereas other people might have buckled under pressure, have "stood at their posts while the trainees ran" (Scotty, Star Trek VI). Although there have been explosions, the engineers in Japan have managed to prevent a nuclear explosion. They of all people know exactly what that might cause on their tiny island nation. The materials and science and engineering that went into this particular type of reactor have kept them largely intact and minimized both exposure and death as a consequence of nuclear venting. It is also important to note that the US Navy has operated nuclear vessels for over 50 years without any disasters.
Man, properly supplied, motivated, and educated, can build things that are safe and can last. Although it does not follow that everything he makes will survive, it shows of what men are truly capable. After waves crashed ashore, the Japanese buckled down and got to work, clearing up, cleaning up, and shoring up against other things that might come in the wake of something that came beyond their control.
I for one stand in awe at the abilities of those who build, maintain, and repair the things that stand as hallmarks of our society. The communities in which our technological advances exist are elevated by them and persist in spite of persistent threat of 'what might be'. If your only hesitation comes from a fear that something might happen, dismiss it. JRR Tolkien taught us that "it's a dangerous thing, walking out the front door. Once you put your feet on the road, you never know where it will take you". If we never set foot outside, never took risks, we would also never get anywhere, and then everyone would die at home, alone. In the words of the poet, "Of all the words e'er writ by men, the saddest are these- it might have been".
Fukoshima is a triumph of man and his machinations. The reactors and containers and attempts are holding. The people are close to the danger trying to prevent it from expanding and devastating more people. The works of men have withstood one of the toughest tests imaginable and held now for about a week. If nothing else, this testifies of all that can be good in men, but the idealists, who believe that men and his works are good, are noticably absent from this assembly. They are afeared. They are afraid man might actually be good, in which case, he has no need for idealists.
Your life is what you build of it. The fact is that there are some really amazing things that have happened since the Japanese earthquake. These people are my heroes because they are real people doing real things that to us from afar look very amazing. Idealists want to use this as a rational to ablate nuclear power, pointing the 'real dangers' posed if we follow the policies of the realists. Whereas realists admit there are things they don’t know, idealists insist they know everything. Whereas realists recognize that everything has layers of complexity and nuance, idealists insist that everything is simple. Although realists recognize the weaknesses in man and idealists believe people are fundamentally good, the happiness possible to realists is also real.
Godspeed to the Japanese people who time and time again prove that attitude and fortitude are keys to success. Greatness means facing a challenge with persistence and courage. Japan is a great nation because it is full of great people.
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