From the archives: Robert Oppenheimer in 1965 on if the bomb was necessary

[@nihil1]

The care he takes to answer the questions is one of the most valuable lessons that we could take.

[@mostafaelraies344]

lol

[@makimakipapura7543]

Hope more people would see it that way.

[@Matt-rw9py]

Yes absolutely, I've been learning this from my own experiences, observations and reflections on my past behaviour. Always weigh your words or say nothing at all. Silence is golden.

[@mustafajoseph134]

Truth before social media and click finance culture

[@Michael-Archonaeus]

​@@mostafaelraies344 that was your contribution, beautiful! Are you proud of yourself?

[@Geohillierneo]

This is truly fascinating video. Not a man who is evil. Not a serial killer. Just a genius, who unfortunately for him, created the deadliest thing ever made.

[@v44n7]

what i found incredible is that how contemporary his views on the world still is. How china and Asia still have business to resolve that may involve nuclear weapons if things are not worked correctly. And how optimistic he still was about the future even after giving the world the atomic bomb. Which i dont think he should have any guilt of doing so. The bomb was going to be created eventually. Thats it's a fact, even if people didn't know it could work, we as humanity would have discovered it later on. And by then things could have gonne a lot worse. We may not have started nuclear war because we know how devastating nuclear bombs were thanks to the sacrifice of the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Imagine if we were at peak cold war or even a full war between the URSS and the west and the bomb was tested and using during it? Would have the outcome be MUCH worse? I guess probably

[@manapaws5507]

It was created by a whole team of talented scientists. He didn't single handley create the atomic bomb and used previous discoveries as well.

[@ferminharris3826]

@@manapaws5507well that’s what geniuses do, take the blueprints and prefect them. That’s how life is. You observe, you learn, and create with the information observed.

[@cameronhead3341]

Didn't he almost poison his professor? Not serial killer but thats a thing

[@cameronhead3341]

Not to say he was 'evil' but that's in the movie and history too

[@zaeroses1096]

I think the interviewer is very good here. Letting him complete each point without interruption, even with pauses.

[@DaisyMaeMoses]

That’s the way interviews were conducted in the era of good manners. Long since gone since the advent of the internet and the media bullies.

[@decidev]

​@@DaisyMaeMosesYep nowadays they've all got an agenda

[@sczoot6285]

Also there was a tolerance and recognition of many men’s necessity to pause and be extremely careful and thoughtful in each word of their response

[@painkiller66]

Back when the FCC made news companies represent sides fairly.

[@rogue9428]

@@DaisyMaeMoses Definitely a lost art. But not, I hope, unrecoverable.

[@LS-ki9ft]

You can just feel the weight of the burden that he carried for the rest of his life. He was truly a brilliant, complicated, and tortured man.

[@gino3286]

he was not alone for sure And he did not pull the trigger

[@honestbajan6877]

As well as his family. Look at the children.

[@sebastiamarques3274]

Nothing compared to the pain and the trauma that the survivors of the bombing have to endure to this day, all because of this monster and others like him, The bombings weren't necessary and they knew it, they did them because THEY WANTED. They knew that a Soviet attack on Japanese army in Manchuria was inminent and that was the end for what remained of Japanese fighting ability. But nobody expected a war criminal to tell willingly the truth.

[@gino3286]

@@sebastiamarques3274 the problem is that only someone's lives matter

[@martenveersoo8502]

@@sebastiamarques3274 or maybe they thought that the nazis could also wage nuclear war, which would've been BAD

[@dcc7493]

Incredible to hear him talk about how the violence in WW2 "had no place in the 20th century". Words of someone who grew up learning of the brutality of the past century and probably thought, before the 1930s, "we as a modern society should be above that". Most of us probably feel like this today....

[@mrbeeoutdoors3213]

Incredible isn't it... the violence we see today has no place in the 20th century, but here we are in the 21st century still doing it.

[@Michael-Archonaeus]

He committed the fallacy of equating some arbitrary made up number with any kind of real meaning. 4,000 years ago some people were more civilized than most today.

[@Theemptythroneistaken]

Only because nations have people like putin,Kim Jong un,Biden,xi jingping,Rishi sunak etc as leaders of nations! I have said it once and I will say it again no country should ever have one single person to decide the course of said nation and certainly not have the ability to decide to push the button to end us all.

[@Theemptythroneistaken]

A nations every action should be decided by every single member of that said nation whether its big or small.

[@Michael-Archonaeus]

@@Theemptythroneistaken That is impossible unless you turn everyone into one hivemind.

[@11Khalid11]

This is the way to do an interview. The current day journalists should learn from this.

[@JesusChrist2000BC]

Current day journalists are all about themselves not who they are interviewing.

[@slthbob]

@@JesusChrist2000BC Current day journalists are all about the money the narrative generates... and smears pay better

[@OriginalBatman]

Yep. Everyone wants to do everything fast

[@Me-ke6sm]

The interviewer is still making assertions and implying things with the line of questioning he’s asking. Interviewing and interviewers have not changed. You just like that the person being interviewed is coherent and thoughtful and not overwhelmingly motivated by self interest or saving face. He may have been a genius inventor and a scientist and a guy who changed the world, but in a room with no context he would just seem like a normal random guy. People being interviewed are not often like that anymore.

[@slthbob]

@@Me-ke6sm False... present day parasites would be trying to get a "Gotcha" moment to apply some type of smear... pretend harder dude... might need to check out what the sheep have been feeding on and being fed silly...

[@theabyssofthoughts]

Honestly, straightforwardness and incredible articulation. No sugarcoating as well. Wish all interviews were more akin to this one.

[@LoranHarding]

There sure is clarity and thoughtfulness of language. If anybody did that today, they'd be interrupted five times per sentence.

[@benvinar2876]

Recalling his script

[@mywifesboyfriend5558]

​@@benvinar2876No, just honesty.

[@miloshp7399]

He's weaseling out big time.

[@RadicalCaveman]

Actually, you can see clearly in his face that he doesn't quite believe what he's saying, and rightly so. Eisenhower among many other top generals opposed the dropping of the atomic bomb, since he was clear that the Japanese would surrender anyway.

[@BGzGamersVoid]

"I don't want to speak for others... because we're all different" Wow 🙏

[@RemKarablin]

2:12, legendary

[@Tech-cy9yo]

There's nothing wow about that statement. It's common sense

[@Puppy_Puppington]

@@Tech-cy9yolol. You’d think so…. You have no idea how lacking the majority of the world is in common sense alone.

[@Tech-cy9yo]

@@Puppy_Puppington I know a lot of people lack common sense but we still shouldn't applaud it

[@OpioGabriel-vm4gc]

He responded wonderfully

[@Facetime_Curvature]

You can see a thoughtfulness and honesty in his eyes, an actualized man. He is vulnerable in his discourse and willing to say something without spinning his own thoughts to a narrative.

[@Roddy556]

Also respect to the interviewer and editor for just letting him speak.

[@jamesmedina2062]

especially today honesty is incredibly rare. and yet watch as R Kennedy Jr gets demonized for actually speaking his honest mind. We live in a world today in which truth is rare and under attack

[@abdul-kabiralegbe5660]

​@@Roddy556 Indeed. Most hosts lack that laid back honesty to allow this.

[@captaincarl1]

He's correct also. Even with Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan was hesitant to surrender. There was an active debate. And an attempted coup to avoid surrendering.

[@igunashiodesu]

​@@captaincarl1When the power of the sun isn't enough to make you change your mind, but the power of millions of proletariats marching towards your homeland was enough.

[@antduude]

It's important to keep in mind that Oppenheimer, knowing just how devastating the atomic bomb would be, genuinely believed that once mankind had seen just how horrific the results were, no one would ever _want_ to build another weapon like it. That the bombs dropped on Japan would be the cautionary warning to humanity that no one else would follow in his footsteps. Of course, he misjudged the US, Soviet, & Chinese desires simply to acquire, and accelerate development of bigger, more powerful weaponry into the Arms Race we know today. He was persecuted by the government, accused of being a spy, a Communist and worse, stripped of his security clearance and publicly humiliated, simply for speaking out against the acceleration of nuclear weapons development. If anything, Oppenheimer is only guilty of giving Mankind the benefit of the doubt.

[@lfng4475]

Well said.

[@alpiasker]

If I have something horrible and show you that horrible thing and capabilities, you wouldn't think "oh thats horrible i should avoid that' you would however think "i must own that horrible thing, if he is the only one who owns it, he might use it against me." And this genius man never thinked about this scenario?

[@pear_win]

​@@alpiaskerthinked?😂

[@alpiasker]

@@pear_win how many languages do you speak?

[@johansphoto]

But in a sense he was right. It was the example of the bombs in Japan that kept the cold war cold. No nuclear bomb has been used in a war since.

[@tmh44]

Amazing clip, I particularly enjoyed Oppenheimer's cadence and thought put into every word. The interviewer also did a great job of asking poignant questions and letting Oppenheimer answer them fully without interruption. Thanks for sharing this one.

[@JonSmith-xh2jf]

Now the person being interviewed cannot get a word in sideways because the reporter wants to make it about themselves.

[@stoneysscapes7544]

Thank you@tmh44 , you put the exact same word down ÿ

[@JustMe-ne5dw]

His tone and cadence are amazingly close to Mr. Rogers.

[@kieraethan]

@@JustMe-ne5dw Who was also intelligent, educated, thoughtful, and measured in his speaking: trying to accomplish the most good. Did you mean it as an insult? You couldn't be more wrong.

[@JustMe-ne5dw]

@@kieraethan Absolutely not. It was more of an observation if not a compliment. It is a kind of irony to me that someone like Oppenheimer had any kind of parallel to Fred Rogers is striking to me. There is a self reflection that many personalities in the media today utterly lack. There are people here that comment on how they wish interviews were done this way. To me this is a sign of just how educated he was, how nuance is not something that is appreciated today…but even i as type that, this man suffered precisely because he was nuanced and would not properly fit in the box he was “supposed” to be in.

[@anzhnd5873]

Cillian murphy did a phenomenal job matching oppenheimers vocals and facial movements

[@roquefortfiles]

I was going to say exactly the opposite. Murphy looked the part. But he didn't speak like Oppenheimer did in any way. Oppenheimer had a very calm measured way of speaking.

[@kashutosh9132]

​@@roquefortfiles Agreed,Cillian didn't speak like Oppenheimer

[@roquefortfiles]

@@kashutosh9132 To be entirely honest Murphy really didn't "Play" Oppenheimer (Voice/ Mannerisms) . He played Cillian Murphy being Oppenheimer. If you ever watch interviews with Oppie he speaks in a very slow measured way and he moved in contained way.

[@kashutosh9132]

@@roquefortfiles Totally in agreement with you.

[@medilation]

I do not feel this is true at all. Cillian played a different man all together...not saying that Cillian is not a great actor, but did not personify this man.

[@spicion]

I love this. No interrupting like modern interviewers...

[@differentfins]

Modern interviewers change the subject as soon as the answers don't fit the narrative or after they found a 5 second sound bite to use in the 10 o'clock news. It's much harder to twist one's words when context is included.

[@werkarins2380]

Piers Morgan could learn

[@there_was_a_2453]

the difference is, he has something to say

[@anaconda6147]

Indeed!

[@Ed-ty1kr]

If you enjoy vague 8 minute monologues to yes or no questions, you are in for a treat... The presidential debates are just around the corner.

[@QuikScopeCommandos]

I love the way this man speaks. His pauses are worth being patient for

[@abdul-kabiralegbe5660]

Well said. His pauses are worth the wait because the listener knows something clear and profound will result from it. He clearly chooses his word carefully.

[@youliantroyanov2941]

This

[@daveg5857]

I had a manager like that. He would pause and think before answering most questions. I admired that I never heard him say something foolish or ill-considered.

[@jtgd]

@@abdul-kabiralegbe5660he also would like for his words to be clear, so it won’t be twisted. He’s obviously feeling guilty of being the reason hundreds of thousands, or the human race dies

[@rosscoghlan]

Theres something weirdly Irish about his way of speaking

[@tomjones2202]

I love how he takes the time to answer the questions. You can see his mind working to answer exactly how he means to answer. It's amazing to watch this genius speak and know he means every word he says and yet we can actually understand him.

[@CinnamonToast5207]

Do you hear what he’s actually saying?

[@tomjones2202]

@@CinnamonToast5207 don't you?

[@stan4now]

He us speaking to our hearts as one human being to another. Dr. Oppenheimer knew the beauty of nature as well as the evil in our hearts to use nature for unnatural reasons.

[@marcd1981]

@@CinnamonToast5207 Is your question because you, yourself, do not hear what he is saying? Or are you trying to troll?

[@MrMeeseeksPiano]

as if very carefuly putting together words not to sound as guilty and blunt as he is. Yes, so beautiful and touching!

[@rekunta]

It’s always enjoyable to listen to someone highly intelligent speak. You can see them weaving through their thoughts to articulate themselves exactly as they mean to. Not a word misspoken.

[@jsj31313jj]

God made us in a way that we can't think two thoughts at one time. If you're thinking what's right, you can't think what's wrong...

[@Spencerlayne]

That's not intelligence. That's his conscience 😏

[@ra-neter6662]

But when average minded ppl do it their just dumb

[@rekunta]

@@ra-neter6662 no, just not all that remarkable.

[@abba747]

Did you mean highly evil?

[@Tea-rettes]

Great detail to note here is how deeply introspective he is. So many people attempt to create an illusion of intelligence through the use of big words and rapid speech, hoping to trick you with word salad. Not Oppenheimer. He's constantly looking inward, constantly thinking about each and every word before he says it. His pauses speak more to his intelligence than any one of the descriptive terms he uses.

[@yaze3316]

introspection...you cant teach that unfortunately, or we just have it at high to low levels as individuals. And I agree, he is quite aware of his surroundings and others. I wonder what concepts he had become aware of at this point on his life.

[@ReviewsChannel-e4r]

You mean a man fraught with guilt for instantly annihilating 190,000 with 2 of his bombs

[@toastedtarts4044]

@@ReviewsChannel-e4ri haven’t watched the whole video but his superiors might have told him what to say and how to say it. It’s a sensitive topic and it’s hard to justify killing thousands. Maybe it wasn’t introspection and hesitance on using words

[@imjoeimjoe]

Just like Jordan Peterson

[@imjoeimjoe]

@@Ra-bi1vo lol what's redundant

[@TheStewdansby]

‘Or is that an oversimplification?’ is a question you will not hear asked in earnest from a modern journalist, who seeks the sensational sound bite and the clickbait headline drawn from comments taken out of context. Props to the journalists of yesteryear. Ask thoughtful questions, listen, don’t interrupt, let the person speak, edit respectfully.

[@abdul-kabiralegbe5660]

👍. The irony is that a lot of content creators here on KZbin are just as guilty as the traditional media they accuse of this same thing you mentioned. It's funny how people become the very things they denounce.

[@NaticzkaKaminskaHenryDolphin]

@@abdul-kabiralegbe5660 So true!

[@NaticzkaKaminskaHenryDolphin]

Agree. And that is true when it comes to the vast political and cultural subjects, as well as entertainment and individuals. In any type of modern journalism, this happens. Almost only black-and-white generalizations, click baits, and sensationalism. It's tragic because it completely manipulates, impoverishes, and falsifies the discussion and facts. We live in an era that should be called ' lack of nuance and lack of sophistication'.

[@albundy7459]

Honest journalism was the status quo. Now it’s money.

[@AfroGaz71]

I also took notice of that. The interviewer was quite measured with his questions. It was almost like he emphasized with Oppenheimer's heavy burden.

[@andrewk1499]

The intelligence and nuanced ideas laced into his responses are impressive to me. I wish we as a society encouraged this type of thought over an emphasis on "knowing" the answer to every question.

[@darkcnotion]

👏👏Nuance

[@kathrynstemler6331]

Well said

[@Mirristal]

1000%

[@seandunderdale]

His care with his words, his thoughtfulness, are atteibutes that are denigrated by a large portion of society today. We can all guess who they are.

[@barryeugene3297]

Nuance is word many people don’t enact in “conversation”. Soft skills aren’t common place either

[@022171]

You see it in his eyes & hear it in his voice. This man carried an unfathomable load until the end of his life.

[@OctPSfever]

During Soviet union Era, the pilot shot down Korean Airline, which happened to go in their air passage by mistake. It was a private commerical jet. 269 passengers were gone into ashes. The Russian pilot had to live his life with gulit. He knew it was a commerical passenger flight but had no choice by an order

[@ymx7947]

@@OctPSfever You always have a choice, but choices has consequences. Disobedience is one such choice.

[@Gwilherm]

@@OctPSfever f the order

[@sdqsdq6274]

@@OctPSfever lol , south korea have more thing to worried about then past history , the north is starting their nonsense

[@SilenzioDiEsistenza]

@@sdqsdq6274 ​ @sdqsdq6274 south korea is also the most endangered by corporatism, where people have less and less choice for whom to work, lack of competition means, more exploitation of the workers without them having alternative companies to go to. so people are at risk both from the isiolationism of north korea (mind you, which was partly instigated by the united states seperatist policies in korea, sabotaging peace treaties), and the hyper capitalism within their country. obviously north korea is in more troubled state comparatively, as south koreans become more and more self aware and aware of alternatives, as they are perhaps one of the most outgoing country at the moment, and travel and explore a lot. and they have all the tech and internet available to them. So while south korea has the most potential to grow out of their capitalist limitations thanks to their wealth amassed through capitalism, to reinvent themselves, on their own terms, not the american terms. north korea has been so isolated and without technology, that people have been brainwashed to a specific culture, and they know no alternative. they did not take the path of cuba, which grew in spite of its isolation. so isolation is not necessarily bad, just an amount of democracy and revolutionary spirit is necessary.

[@G.G.8GG]

Thank you for playing this. It shows the considerable weight the decision put on consciences and the sense of responsibility of the time. It was an horrific thing, no matter how one looks at it.

[@AverageAlien]

It was a great thing

[@tohellorbarbados7119]

@@AverageAlien You are wrong, ill, and in despair to respond.

[@monkeyboy2297]

​@@AverageAlientit!

[@JuntaJanardhan]

Just see the humility displayed by this man when he says at 3:25 "we physicists had committed the sin of pride ... we had the pride of thinking we knew what was good for man". Now compare this with Fauci's statement "When you attack me, you attack science". That should tell you everything you need to know about modern science, which is increasingly turning into a cult.

[@AverageAlien]

@@tohellorbarbados7119 weird mong

[@sstteevveenn77]

He has the "thousand yard stare". I can't even begin to imagine the anxiety & depression he must have been through.

[@Bioniking]

Definitely. Also seems like he’s very carefully introspecting while he formulates his answers. No doubt a vicious cycle

[@48forks]

Cillian murphy nailed that look.

[@nurhayat81]

Or a thousand years.

[@muhamadsidik3740]

yes, definitely

[@myme8208]

This made millions if not billions of us depressed the fact we can vanish one day and just our shadows stay behind. I don't believe he is evil but he definitely regrets the evil he let out.

[@itsaashish]

It is difficult to see him struggle about his creation. The fact that it was brought about by American political pressure and then they villianised him is unspeakably horrific. I'm glad Christopher Nolan's movie will shed light on this and clear his name.

[@mikel5582]

People of mediocre intellect and creativity value power more than reason or compassion. Add to that their tendency to cling to whatever indoctrination they received without question and it's a perfect recipe for the abusive and destructive tendencies of our species. That struggle still exists today where people toss reason out the window because they've been told to be afraid of real progress.

[@trowawayrizzay]

Guy’s science project is the single most consequential and deadly invention that killed hundreds of thousands. He should carry that weight.

[@RSKLove]

Humans playing with the phenomenon of nature is just that - nature. Fortunately, our evolution never disappoints. Our ethics is, will be better. I have much faith in the overall human spirit.

[@krupke525]

People like you give this guy a pass, yet if I knock someone’s teeth out, I’m a Neanderthal. So difficult!

[@wispa1a]

Someone else would have done it without him.

[@Sutho81]

I am really impressed with how he speaks and articulates his words that make them so easy to understand. He is honest, justifies his honesty and gets to the point. This should be the benchmark test to determine how intelligent someone is by the way they speak.

[@electronwave4551]

He is being reflective -- after the event. But reflective is not what top physicists do when designing weapons of mass destruction.

[@markharder3676]

I think this is a more accurate and complete interview than any of those live quotes we've all seen before- all that business about Vishnu and death, sin and all that. Thanks for airing it. I hope a wider audience sees it.

[@STho205]

I saw this interview in the 60s. You are correct for those born in the last 50 years or not paying much attention if born in the 50s. You are fed a cherry picked history and contrived artificial personalities little better than deep fakes. The man was not just studying natural physics for curiosity and attempts to understand quantum mechanics like Stephen Hawking... He was employed to build an atomic bomb to be used in WW2 against the remaining Axis...to manage the team assembled for that one and only purpose.

[@ziziroberts8041]

It wasn't Vishnu. It was Krishna.

[@ashxsh]

@@ziziroberts8041 In his speech, Oppenheimer mentioned Vishu. Krishna was an Avatar of Vishnu.

[@ashxsh]

@markharder3676 I don't remember him talking about sin when he mentioned Vishnu. It is this video where sin came up. A snippet of video is usually taken out of context. I would love to see the whole video where he talked about Bhagwat Geeta. I see some explanation here when he talked about "sin of pride." The power mankind developed is not the same after this. "We have become destroyer of the world." Good to see here he talks about hope.

[@UHollis]

read the book and you'll see that he was intelligent and well read enough to know it was a relief, and astute and clear minded enough to know what COULD come of the invention itself, and what is did to his conscious. he was an amazing human, and just like us all had all the struggles and joys of life in his DNA.

[@benwait9217]

“I have not a very good answer to this question” he said directly after giving a very good answer to that question.

[@reformingmaybenever]

That moment choked me up.

[@markjamesrodgers]

Had the same thought.

[@xxjoeyt07xx]

Definitely shows how conflicted he was about it

[@riverocean4380]

More you know the less you know, because the more you know, you know there are many perspectives to one questions, which one would you pick.

[@ragetobe]

It wasn’t an answer at all really, he circled the answer with doubt and even though he said he felt it was the best option his voice indicated he doubted the action.

[@megamankeht6098]

It’s interesting watching him dance back in forth in his mind between seeing the good and the realities of it. I can’t imagine the weight he carried because like he said “this isn’t the nature of a scientist.” Those aren’t answers that someone comes up with off the top of your head, he spent a life time thinking about it. Can’t imagine the pain he carried.

[@lukebell5482]

Beautiful comment that

[@krupke525]

To a sociopath maybe

[@vickyzimmer527]

And sadly he wasn't the only scientist that felt that way about their work on the project.

[@joaovmlsilva3509]

The American way of thinking: money > any person, any amount of lives.

[@megamankeht6098]

@@joaovmlsilva3509 maybe you missed the part more people would have died in a prolonged war

[@emilyakalbun5540]

I wish I could just sit and talk to him for hours...seems like a deeply complex, compelling and brilliant person.

[@Xubelo]

Christopher Nolan’s film has drawn a lot of people to the story of Oppenheimer. I for one am grateful. I hope this film inspires people to research more & to look the state of affairs today.

[@221b-l3t]

Me too but I don't plan on seeing it.

[@containhererthangel]

It’s the best film I’ve seen in years, and I hope everyone watches it.

[@1fattyfatman]

It was horrible.

[@Xubelo]

@@1fattyfatman it’s not for everyone. It’s for people with their attention span intact … 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@granand]

As I see only sci-fi (Non space, non alien trash) I was excited about Oppenheimer movie. Totally disappointed, that stupid showing stars molecules, sky or those white flashes to the interrogation - If you see the movie, you will see he being 1. Womanizer having sex, stealing wife from a colleague 2. Liar 3. No clear stand or logic 4. He being communist sympathizer. The movie is utter flop, it exploited sex scenes and bomb exploding scene and added a lot of his questions in the kangaroo court set up. His contribution to the bomb - NIl, His leadership - Nil, HIs management style and how he brought together a team and worked with them - NIl Totally junk. That movie showed him actually in a poor light and I knew he was a management guy but I never knew he was so Bi-Polar or maybe he was. He was consulted on the locations to bomb, he knew what he was doing, he gave several speeches to scientists after German surrender and not those scientists hating bombing Japan as they are almost about to be defeated with losing colonies and almost empty OIL. It was Oppenheimer who assuaged scientists about use of bomb and suggested to Turman to handover Las Alamos to be handed over to Indians and stop making bombs, absolutely against Hydrogen Bomb (not because he wanted peace ) but because he is convinced, that is not feasible. He still wants security clearance. When questioned, all the movie did was to show white flashes ( like bomb) like he is some mental patient. Really terrible movie

[@mario8833]

I think I saw in his eyes an enormous instability. He speaks so calmly and politely but he gave the impression that he could start crying at any moment. As long as I am really sorrow for what happen to Japan I can't help myself but be sorry for this man, I can see his pain

[@DeeSee77]

The dangers of making oneself a man enlightened.

[@AyeZimbra]

He died quite young. I can't but help think the weight of what he carried was in large part to blame.

[@thomaskositzki9424]

It was mostly not because of what happened to Japan, because as he said, the bomb was used after long deliberations based on the information aviable. The true horror to him was (as it is to me) what had happened to the atomic bomb program... It had turned into a monster that could wipe out humanity in one go. It did so by upgrading to hydrogen bombs. Those are 1000 times more powerful than the atomic bombs he created. He had wanted nuclear disarmament and strict controls after the war...

[@TyDomi]

​@@thomaskositzki9424Also the people on the Marshal islands that were purposely exposed to high radiation levels on purpose so our demented Guburmunt could measure the effects. Those people suffered horrible deaths and the children are now old , still suffering,. It was hidden from the public till about 15 yrs ago

[@mario8833]

@thomaskositzki9424 yes I think you're right. The H bomb and then probably the threatening of a nuclear war between USSR and USA

[@davidb6576]

If there's a longer version of this interview, or more news footage with Oppenheimer in your archives, it would be wonderful to publish it here.

[@thomaskositzki9424]

I agree!

[@alexandriamahoneyy24687]

100% agreed…he was a genius and understood the danger of what his mind produced.

[@johnclarencemercado4218]

There's a documentary about the making of the atomic bomb in the NBC's channel. It's also the documentary where Oppie's famous quote originated.

[@MeaHeaR]

MoiśT DéPhÌ-ķŃúť-É-ĻíÉ Shiré DEPHI-KNUTT-E-LIE

[@benlamprecht6414]

Thanks for publishing this brilliant interview with Robert Oppenheimer

[@Whaddayamean13]

Look at how men spoke to each other back then. Not stammering, not outraged or defensive at questions. Calm and collected. More in tune with the world around them. Not sugar coating nor aggressively "telling it like it is" just for macho sake. Just plain and to the point. Truly a breath of fresh air in this social media-crazed, high blood pressure world we live in now.

[@pigs18]

Look at people actually watching an eight minute video. Journalism is a business like any other in that it merely follows the consumer.

[@thelastroman7791]

It concerns me that we are such a twitchy civilization now. It almost seems like people WANT to start a nuclear war, just for the “fun” of destroying the world.

[@lordluckylucan]

lol wait til you visit California

[@unikeko96]

@67skullcandy U r part of the probIem

[@davidb9531]

@@pigs18I don’t necessarily think that’s true, I think the proliferation of shorthand journalism and action movie editing has monkeyfied humanity back to its moronic ape form

[@lifespectator9919]

Oppenheimer was one of dozens of quantum physicists throughout the world endeavoring to unravel the mysteries of the atom prior to World War II, so it was only a matter of time before their research would be weaponized. As Christopher Nolan's film clearly showed, it was the US government's ability to fund the Manhattan Project and Oppenheimer's ability to bring together a collection of American-based experts in quantum physics and mechanical engineering in one location which allowed for the atomic bomb to be developed. Oppenheimer was clearly racked with guilt about the aftermath of the Manhattan Project which resulted in a multinational nuclear arms race, but it was inevitable that nuclear weapons would eventually be developed; per one of the many memorable quotes within the film, "I don't know if we can be trusted with such a weapon, but I know that the Nazis can't".

[@jukaa1012]

nazis turn into liberals so the resaults are basically the same now that the US Empire rules the world

[@CcOLaGeN]

Racked with guilt of killing thousands but craved all the fame for it

[@Bfkcjscbsnjc]

Go watch more Hollywood movies for your historical references 🤡

[@blackdog850]

Yes...this last sentence explains the situation well...we had a terrible decision to make to end, and deter future conflicts...USSR and others, would seek to use the weapon to expand and conquer...in reasonable probability.

[@p-jronkainen368]

Sooner or later some country could developed it.

[@theselector2310]

Oppenheimer's careful consideration of the words he uses to answer these questions is a testament of his care and consideration for the truth, the feelings of others and his great intellect that caused him to consider thoroughly all the details of an issue.

[@adamtzsch]

"an issue"? Could you be more specific?

[@theselector2310]

@@adamtzsch No. It's a general statement.

[@erikrosales8048]

Not saying he wasn’t remorseful about what he did, but It’s possible that he may have been told by the government not to say or reveal certain things about the bombings. That could be why he’s being careful with how he speaks.

[@mplslawnguy3389]

Back when we had real journalists and actual news. I love watching interviews from this era. People had interesting things to say and the interviewers asked thoughtful questions.

[@fenderchick121]

there was still bad journalism and wrong media in these days. hate to tell you

[@DilexsonK-vg2ny]

Meh. Rose tinted glasses lol. If anything it's better today than ever was. You can't lie and getaway with propaganda now. I mean the media and the journalists had a part in Hitler's rise back then lmao.

[@sgtjonzo]

​@@fenderchick121not as mainstream I'd guess though, can't say for certain but it feels like a lot of news now uses too many addictive traits and clickbait

[@charleswest6372]

Yes. Unlike the rudeness now. Where did we go wrong with politeness

[@ctoad]

It's a shame man's wisdom has not progressed as quickly as his technology.

[@sclogse1]

We still have 10 percent of the population diagnosed as narcissists.

[@kevinmalone3210]

Yeah, nothing new there.

[@Leo82870]

Your perspective is interesting, unfortunately notions of "man" in my humble opinion are undermined by the inability of the concept to be monolithic. Both individualism and subjectivity undermine collective purpose.

[@jitterrypokery1526]

Nuh uh

[@luc00144]

It has

[@ericprates6279]

many people have said it, but boy, this is a real interview.

[@GeoffV-k1h]

Remarkable interview. Deeply thoughtful reflections by a man who played a central part in modern history.

[@ccgamedes33]

"...there is a wind blowing..." Did Dylan...?!?

[@alexanderwes5204]

@@ccgamedes33 Good observation, it might well be.

[@aidellamas5542]

as a slayer of thousands of children, pregnant womans and elders....

[@GeoffV-k1h]

@@aidellamas5542 True, but the decision was always in the hands of the US Government and military. Imperial Japan had by then slayed millions across Asia, and was busy finishing off tens of thousands more as the war inexorably turned against them - including thousands of allied prisoners of war. Some estimates suggested two million Japanese would lose their lives in full scale invasion of the mainland. The bomb was the quickest way to end the conflict, and involved the lowest death toll.

[@nirajanbasnet5109]

​@@aidellamas5542This man is the reason why World War 3 not happen

[@X_w45ey89]

Let's be real. If not Oppenheimer, it would be another mastermind. Maybe the creation of an atomic bomb wasn't necessary. But it was inevitable.

[@sighfly2928]

Trust me, if you witnessed an atomic bomb explosion, first hand (from a reasonably safe distance), you wouldn’t be questioning whether it was necessary.

[@X_w45ey89]

@@sighfly2928 Agreed. The most vocal and active warmongers are the ones guaranteed to never be involved in combat.

[@gregorypirog6134]

​@@X_w45ey89 The Japanese War Mongers saw action, plenty of action.

[@MARIANSCATLIFFE]

I don't believe someone would have created a bomb maybe we could learn to live in peace novel concept huh

[@jamesbowen2258]

@@X_w45ey89 Literally nobody in this conversation is calling for war, and even the strawman comment of the person you're replying to, if you at this imagined strawman, it still has no warmongering tones to it. You're barking at shadows.

[@Stasiaflonase]

He was so eloquent and intelligent.

[@krupke525]

So was Dahmer

[@paawan3764]

A lot of people were back then.

[@abdul-kabiralegbe5660]

​@@paawan3764 He was exceptionally well educated so I don't think he was representative of the general population back then. And by educated I mean not just degrees but thinking, as thinking clearly is one of the core competencies of theoretical physicists. As for the general population, there's been a decline but that view has been further exacerbated by videos online of people not knowing answers to basic questions.

[@monkeeseemonkeedoo3745]

@@krupke525 Dahmer lacked empathy though

[@darlenejohnson1721]

Demon in human form🤔 The Soul less one's 😮

[@miguellowe2407]

I feel honored just having viewed this interview and gotten a glimpse into this great man's mind. I could listen to a whole semester of his lectures. One thing is certain - he was no villain.

[@azsaudi3540]

Do not excuse the criminal

[@karlkobler218]

Do you understand what was happening in this period of time? What was at stake? The evil that the Nazi’s and Japanese were perpetrating?

[@chutcentral]

He's worse than a villain, he's a genocidal maniac

[@blackrahk2037]

The results of your actions are who/what you are, intentions are meaningless in this universe.

[@Himself028]

@@yeahyeahyeahyeah1111couldn’t say it better

[@5dlife318]

Loved this interview. Oppy, a brilliant physicist, tormented by his creation but allowed humanity to be faced with the age long questions and issues that will forever plague us.

[@makimakipapura7543]

Pretty well summarized

[@tomthumb3130]

Not true. This is a scripted bs interview. Along with all the nuke fall out crap. Wake up

[@adamtzsch]

"Oppy"? "age long"? allowed to be faced with? It's English, not nuclear physics...

[@reeyees50]

He is clearly not proud, guy has a soul

[@RisingTidesAC]

WE all have a soul. He has a conscience.

[@oui2611]

​@@RisingTidesACWe need more wise, consice responds like yours in this world.

[@RisingTidesAC]

​@@oui2611 That is very kind to say. Thank you so much!

[@stuartmorris6299]

​No such thing as a soul,.@@RisingTidesAC

[@SilenzioDiEsistenza]

@@stuartmorris6299 ​ @stuartmorris6299 you are not born with a soul, but you can create it. different people will give it different names, inspiration, inner fire, passion, sexual energy, that same energy condensed, crystallised, intensified, one can experience as the soul. but when it comes to religious people talking about it, i agree, that is a dead concept. like nietzche said: god is dead, and we killed him. not that there is not something like godliness, universal oneness, to be one with god as a non personal non seperate entity. but it was killed through religioun, through analytic phylosophy, through skepticism and all kinds of prejudice. but we cannot deny what is real, with even our best efforts. some semblance of a soul will allways come in our experience, when we least expect it. but no, it will not be the catholic kind.

[@armchairguru1921]

His genius, vulnerability, and pain are so evident I immediately felt like crying.

[@strategygaming5830]

Oh no! I saved millions of peoples lives how horrible. He literally talks about how we were going to send millions of men onto Japanese shores and how MANY Japanese, Europeans, and Americans would have been slaughtered if not for the bombs.

[@Gramercy_Stiffs]

Cry for the people that were incinerated.

[@AdiGV]

240,000 wiped out instantly and millions more affected for decades, over what? propaganda and oil. Now that’s something to cry for.

[@mayagarcia-hector2732]

@@karl4406what a wild thing to comment Karl lmaooo

[@travisb1o0m19]

​@@karl4406i know right? Its not right being that emotional

[@ShadowfinderMusic]

"I have not a very good answer to this question". People used to be so modest. He just gave the most insightful, reasonable and spot on answer to an incredibly complicated and loaded question and he finishes with that sentence. Brilliant. I wish people nowadays would still have this amount of modesty and intelligence, but it's long gone from our society, replaced by stupidity and arrogance.

[@cobaltbuster4907]

Do you consider yourself a modest and intelligent person, who makes no aggrandizing or self-important statements? Stupidity and ignorance are as much a plague on the societies of antiquity as they are today. Nay, I attest that it is the ignorant person who claims that the world cannot be changed. It is the informed person who claims that the world wants to change, but has yet to devise a means of bringing it about.

[@3Kiwiana]

Exactly

[@MsMariaCP]

I think it’s important to have in mind that we are listening to a very intelligent, genius theoretical physicist. So of course his way of speaking will be different from politicians and celebrities who dominate the media nowadays. This man has read books in all possible genres, appreciated philosophy and art - so an exquisite eloquence is to be expected..but nevertheless remarkable, and I too truly enjoy listening to him and agree with you that it’s quite rare and not something we hear often today. What I also want to say is that people like this still exist today, it’s just that the ‘stupid’ people you mention have never had a bigger platform to express themselves like they do today 😂 that doesn’t mean they didn’t exist also in Oppenheimer’s time..

[@3Kiwiana]

@@MsMariaCP agreed, what some do not realise is the IQ requirement to do what he did is really quite alien in terms of advancement, you may never see higher, if there are people around today with this kind of IQ, where is the free energy..or does it really exist.

[@richardkell4888]

That is very true well said, all manner of numskulls have gotten hold of the microphone so to speak. Our airtime, our ears are full of them; all the good stuff, art, culture, history, information, debate and the words of the experienced and educated lie on the periphery, nearly drowned out. Goodness, I sound like Mr Grumpy today, but its true.

[@_scabs6669]

It's fascinating to hear him talk like this In Nolan's Oppenheimer There's the scene where they say the chances of calamity are near zero At the end of his life he sees the chance of hope is near zero But he yet forces himself to look at that near zero chance with just as much ferocity

[@senorfish2503]

Spoiler

[@_scabs6669]

@@senorfish2503 that scene is in the trailer

[@senorfish2503]

@@_scabs6669 movies ruined, thanks chappy

[@lordbauer5983]

@@senorfish2503Spoiler for history, lmao! The Titanic also sinks!

[@senorfish2503]

@@lordbauer5983 another spoiler, thanks a lot.

[@markco61]

"When you think about bringing about the death of over a 100,000 people, you naturally don't think about that with ease"

[@seanohare5488]

True

[@ned1621]

He was definitely a troubled man. He had to have been, an enormous weight on anyone's mind in retrospect... A very honest, highly intelligent and articulate man.

[@kennethborregaardrasmussen742]

It is clear he has regrets, not for the loss of lives, but for the loss of minds. He comes off as a very mindful person, dark minded though, wonder what drove his path.

[@TravelingwithKristin]

Fascinating and thought-provoking. Thank you for bringing this out of the archives.

[@Marmanian13]

The absolutely brutal thought he puts into every word is impressive and haunting

[@dogfriendly1623]

He made a valid point that the bomb was seen as a solution but morality is left to the individual to decide

[@ob15027]

See how the journalist isn't interrupting the intelligent man and letting him speak from his mind and heart with no time limit?! We need more of this way of reporting on television now!

[@gwenaguilar7049]

I can see him trying to answer honestly and thoughtfully. He looks like a man whose brilliance was used for a destructive purpose on the premise of winning a war and saving mankind worldwide. You can clearly see he is a haunted man. Him and his fellow scientists were ordered to build this and then were thrown under the bus in the aftermath. You can see it in his eyes. You can hear it in his voice. I actually feel really bad for him

[@mostguitarswins]

I’m looking forward to seeing the movie. They didn't say much about Oppenheimer when they taught the history of WW2 and the A bomb. People need to understand the price he and the other scientists paid, and the debt that our society owes them.

[@slthbob]

I think you a projecting friend... I see a thoughtful intelligent response to a rather deep question from someone capable of networking all the data points he has been exposed to... "the atrocities of war that have no place in modern civilization"

[@OldFashionedWisdom]

no sane purpose would help in making a bomb

[@dumbwaiter]

The waves in the background add a mesmerizing beauty and depth to discussion

[@TarheelTeddy2011]

I find one of the more fascinating things from this interview is how he foresaw the long-term re-evaluation of conflict because of the bomb. It would ultimately be used as a deterrent.

[@mattponikvar4944]

It's a good deterrent until someone actually decides to use it

[@johnschuh8616]

Even today it seems to be that. That the US and the USSR suddenly turned from confrontation to the moon race was a hopeful sign that our leaders were not mad. That the war in the Ukraine has not led to total war, or even direct conflict between us and the Russians. is a sign of sobriety. No one can look at at the pictures of the explosions of the H-bombs, and fail to understand the consequences. More like the eruptions of a hundred volcanoes at once.

[@menecross]

@@mattponikvar4944 If someone decides to use it, all will use it and it ends for us as we know it.

[@MacNif]

So it's not a good deterrent. Mutually Assured Destruction is not a full proof plan, it's just madness.

[@r.daneel.90]

@@mattponikvar4944 still better than having great wars between big countries as often at we used to...

[@AlexKwasiAsareDickson]

When he said “I have not a very good answer for this question “ ,I felt that 😔

[@NeilLewis77]

its an amazing response isnt it. given 20 years to think about it and hes still not sure if it was a good idea or not. if after 20 years a genius who was directly involved isnt sure, then how can any of us know.

[@999titu]

Did you feel when hundreds of thousand kids were annihilated turned to vapour , did you?

[@NeilLewis77]

@@999titu which kids? The ones shoved onto cattle trains in Europe or the kids on the ends of bayonets in Nanking? Let's not play this game buddy. It's possible to feel sympathy for both the victims of war and for those that mentally toiled with the aftermath. It's not one or the other.

[@999titu]

@@NeilLewis77 those who were vaporised in Hiroshima and Nagasaki

[@NeilLewis77]

@@999titu why ask about those kids only? When you were 10 did you want to be vaporised or stabbed with a bayonet? Neither right? The weight and guilt of the children from Hiroshima and Nagasaki weighed heavy on Oppenheimers conscious. There's nothing wrong for having sympathy for Oppenheimers plight. There's plenty of sympathy for all those that had to live through that war. Trying to play a silly game where you hold a moral high ground over someone sympathising with the struggle of a guilty genius, by using the demise of children isn't a good idea. A person could easily argue back that Oppenheimer saved countless children's lives.

[@clarkgrayhame1250]

What an excellent interview. No grandstanding, no blaming and no finger pointing. Just a man giving a few extra seconds to thoughtfully and respectfully answer some excellent questions. We were lucky a man like Oppenheimer was there during the development of the bomb. Who knows that in the hands of another equally brilliant scientist that things would work out better. Or come out worse, I am saddened that we still have to think that way but humanity still has too many treacherous hearts out there.

[@adamtzsch]

I feel sorry for you. That an interview is remarkable because someone answers questions thoughtfully is a window into your consciousness. Things like this used to be known as just interviews.

[@clarkgrayhame1250]

​@@adamtzsch It must suck for you to troll peoples responses to something like this interview with such incoherent drivel as to your reply. However it is still your right to speak your opinion.

[@leonro]

Having a different leader wouldn't have changed much, in my opinion. All other scientists who worked on the atomic bomb still existed, and something would have been done. Either the bomb would've still been made on time to be used on the Japanese, it might be late and USA would have to display it without any meaningful targets (as a USSR deterrent), or perhaps the Soviets could get there first, but the positions would ultimately even out with USA because of spying and concerns of mutual destruction.

[@brucestewart5939]

His eyes, the tightening of his jaw, the wiping of his upper lip and finally his quick turning away to his right was no doubt reactions to get his emotions together. I believe the filming was cut as well...the man truly has a unimaginable gift hasn't he?

[@niraxlevi9930]

He didn't have no gift he technically didn't make the bomb ,he didn't even do the math however his research on black holes is amazing

[@Kaniala-l7s]

​@niraxlevi9930 thank you very much!

[@jojo1cool]

​@@niraxlevi9930he led the project and pushed for the bomb to be made.

[@OctPSfever]

It reminds me of movie "Beautiful mind". He wanted to be patriotic in his mind.

[@Therockfan30]

@@OctPSfeverSo patriotic he tried to poison his tutor and bragged about it to his friends and tried straggling his friend. Yes, what a patriotic and kind man. Oppenheimer (movie) target audience are brainwashed Americans.

[@EshaKarim]

"I do not know how to answer this question." Exactly

[@Jimmy-n2e]

I’m not gonna lie these interviews from around this time or any footage is beyond amazing

[@TheCedricolo]

The atomic bomb is not "his" invention. It's the invention of thousands of scientists and engineers. The circumstances of the Second World War also forced the Allies to outpace the Nazis in a race that was inevitable. Oppenheimer alone cannot be held responsible for this "invention" (under any circumstances).

[@Cauffe]

he does correct people that he did not invent it and i believe he's guilty deep inside his emotions with the fact that he's one of the people that helped build the bomb. but as you said it's inevitable, and it helped win the war.

[@willzinc6137]

Yeah I wonder why so many people in the comments don't get this fact? He oversaw the effort to get it built and thankfully we won that race, but it was not a one-man show. To a lot of people, especially of that generation, Oppenheimer is a hero. I wonder if young kids today just don't know enough about WW2 to appreciate how important that effort was to end the war and how brutal it was up until that point, or if they are just too soft.

[@davymoore5449]

Nature product was nuclear fusion for sun energy

[@makimakipapura7543]

​@@willzinc6137nobody wins a war, only power over the defeated opponent. Like somebody pointed out it was inevitable. I believe that human kind can only achieve stability if we all become pacifists, but that will never happen.

[@kinoirvoidjustice]

​@@makimakipapura7543that's a utopian vision

[@akankshadash7129]

He was in pain. It clearly shows in his eyes.

[@raeraewells7053]

Yes! Finally someone who sees that too. 🙁

[@breadman5048]

his pain means nothing.. the result was still death and horror.

[@williamweatherby1785]

Was man not do discover fire eventually regardless of whether or not Sisyphus provided it first? Imagine being a genius proctored by bureaucrats.

[@jonbar140]

​@@raeraewells7053No, stop going around doing that. That's why relationships are hard for you. You can't just go around assuming stuff

[@999titu]

Who cares He killed innocent kids hundreds of thousands of them.

[@nurmaso4481]

What a wise man. Its one of that kind of man i like to listen because he had got so much wise things to say. I think with such a heavy burden on his shoulders, it was a relief for him that he didn't have to stay so long in this upside-down world.

[@freemind3333]

He knew the questions beforehand !! C'mon man, its showbusiness !!

[@nurmaso4481]

@@freemind3333 it does not change, that his answers were wise.

[@kasiaalexiou]

he wasn't wise

[@lookingupwithwonder]

I can feel despondency, anguish, regret, grief from him here....

[@paulschreiner1978]

All of this said without a single “like” or “you know”.

[@dingers5days]

Nobody is accusing Oppenheimer of not being well-spoken, but he has “um”s in there, if you watched, and long pauses. Everyone has a different way of speaking, and not everyone is a professor or nuclear scientist

[@tryscience]

Important people don't need to use fillers to prevent the other person from interjecting.

[@EnglishFuture-xg1gw]

or uptalk

[@og666]

@@EnglishFuture-xg1gw just let people speak english for christ's sake

[@sclogse1]

I did hear five "nevertheless and but's" though....

[@IAMSTULITTLE]

There’s a man who carried the weight of the world on his shoulders until the day he died. 😢

[@savageone8931]

He brought it upon himself. Germany was latest defeated by the time the bomb was created. I feel for Oppie but he’s no saint!

[@SearchOfHappiness]

That’s why we pay respect to an evolved mind like he was.

[@SearchOfHappiness]

@@savageone8931cmon, that’s stupid. The war was not over cause of Germany defeat.

[@vickyzimmer527]

​@@savageone8931The bombs were dropped on Japan. Yes, we didn't want the Germans to have the bomb, but we needed it to end the war with Japan.

[@consumer338]

Who?

[@enriquesanchez2001]

I wish it had been a LONGER interview. Oppenheimer's mind and his thinking is a valuable lesson for us all. ♥

[@karenosolin6061]

He chooses his words excruciatingly carefully. ❤

[@josefsilvia5360]

For all those who judge this man, I think he judged himself enough for his creation. Much like Dr. Frankenstein hated himself for creating The Monster in fiction. But remember, he is not the one who ordered the bomb dropped. Many share in the blame of that. None of us know how WWII could have ended differently, because it didn't end differently. These are tough moral questions that I do not think people were meant to ever ask themselves. And we found ourselves asking them, and continue to.

[@sciencetechro9701]

He is guilty for what was done.

[@thecountsaintgermaine7937]

If a parent hands angry, emotional and mentally-impaired children a gun - who's fault is it when the inevitable happens? He knew what he was creating. He knew what would happen.

[@HairyNun]

​@@sciencetechro9701it was always going to be done. By the Germans, by the Americans, by the Russians, and whoever did it would've almost certainly used it one people once to demonstrate it. We're all still alive. In my opinion that puts us in the better half of possible outcomes lol

[@ShawnWeeded510]

Not really a good metaphor. Isn't really a good analogy. Frankenstein was a monster in name only and a Nuke is a weapon no matter how you look at it.

[@sciencetechro9701]

@@HairyNun of course someone would have done it, but then Oppenheimer would have not be guilty, it would have been the one who builds it. If we say that it is not his fault for the death of more than 100k+ people, than it is something wrong with us.

[@DGalious]

Thanks for publishing this. Extremely interesting! He carefully chooses every word, but still states his opinion.

[@michaelkearns8499]

The man is haunted to his core.

[@pkizzlebeats]

Completely shook

[@katnisseverdeen1444]

The way he responds and how he seems to judge the questions makes me realise how well Cyllian did in the movie.

[@stevencooke6451]

Such a different time. The interviewer gives the methodical Dr. Oppenheimer time to answer his questions thoughtfully. And the scientist gives such nuanced responses. I feel our world is far too impatient and too polarized to permit such discussions now.

[@jae-kwangkim6012]

I would argue that the world was just as impatient and polarized back then as it is now; just look at how automobiles ("horseless carriages") were villified in movies like The Magnificant Ambersons back in the 1940s. The difference was that those who were impatient and polarized back then had no outlet to voice that impatience and polarized view in a way that history has recorded _en masse_ like today's internet. Should we go back to the days when the impatient were voiceless? I can't say one way or another. The internet, like the bomb, was an invention that has profoundly changed human history and there is no going back. The reality is that we live in a world with both, and the best course of action is to learn how to live peaceful lives within them. _(Another thing to consider: if someone agrees with the idea that we are too impatienct but were not at all inclined to click on "Read More", then you're not helping much.)_

[@yol_n]

@@jae-kwangkim6012 I think back then there was a effort for the media to sell its integrity because that was the only means people used it. They still slipped from time to time their agenda (media always has one) but there was a general trust in it. Nowadays those that know they are corrupt already have alternatives so they don't even bother. The media thus went full on their agendas since they don't have to hide anymore, those that realized it quit and those that didn't care stayed and went further brainwashing. Why I'm saying this? On a modern world, the journalist would interrupt Oppenheimer to get their agenda across (I don't know what that could be though) whereas here with full integrity the journalist lets OP answer the questions and stays mostly neutral. inb4 you say I'm talking exclusively about rightwing or leftwing politics. Just google "quiet quitting dr phil panel" and you'll see exactly what I mean. This is why mainstream media is dead.

[@kassiogomes8498]

These people killed eachother for land.

[@yol_n]

@@kassiogomes8498 the world wars were more complex than that. Plus the American civil war was a bit or that as well.

[@kassiogomes8498]

@@yol_n yes, it was very complex, but that doesn't mean that they weren't killing each other for land. This guy is saying that our world is too polarized in a video about a WWII scientist. There is nothing more polarized than a WORLD WAR with two sides

[@robertloughran6740]

Can we get back to this level of eloquence,consideration and honest opinion

[@vollied4865]

He gets teary thinking of all the people hurt and killed by the bomb, pour man feels that deep in his soul I hope he found peace.

[@feister2869]

I wouldn’t say they forgive him, the bomb was necessary but it’s still a war crime, an evil committed. Though I see Oppenheimer realising the importance of a nuclear bomb and what a complete disaster for humanity it will be.

[@thisutuber]

Hard to calculate how many lives were also SAVED

[@gannielukks1811]

@@thisutuber we only know the lives that were taken

[@johnschuh8616]

There more more malice involved in the destruction of Dresden and Tokyo than in the dropping of the a-bombs.

[@zed5129]

@LeeChaeyonsHusband He certainly has found peace - he died in 1967. He's been dust for a long while now.

[@AttilatheThrilla]

This interview will never age 😔

[@Ch0senJuan]

It’s in black and white.

[@sherila4834]

If you close your eyes & listen to his voice at the start of the video, you can hear the thoughtful cadences, eloquence, & gentleness of Fred Rogers. The greatest tragedy was his having come of age in a time where his profound brilliance was, & had to be, used for mass death.

[@resourceress7]

I thought his speech patterns sounded like Mr. Rogers, too. I'll have to look up whether they have some sociolinguistic dialect variables in common.

[@colinlydon6394]

I thought the very same thing. It's the product of speaking thoughtfully with attention to accuracy and clarity of the message.

[@samfrito]

To listen to him speak his answers so eloquently and humbly imparts a great deal of sympathy. What a struggle it must have been for him.

[@shanehenderson8756]

We have mass death going on today its called abortion ? We sure have evolved as a loving and caring society. Not to mention modern sex slavery which most people don't even want to talk about.

[@superbri007]

I thought the same as well. While I can agree the bomb was used (cause and effect-wise) in "mass death", the dropping of the bomb *most likely* saved more lives than had there been no bomb and the U.S. and it's allies faced a Japan in which every citizen was ready to die for country.

[@liminalhoarder]

So chilling that this is still completely relevant in 2023 than it was in 1965. History is always doomed to repeat itself.

[@kieraethan]

Unless we learn from it. His comments about China are still prescient and accurate, but his hopes for our relationship with Russia (the USSR at the time) have so far come true. The outcome of the Cold War upheld his hope for lessons learned. The greatest threat today is from countries/independent entities that don't care about history, that see the mass killing of innocents as justified. How do we change that? It's a challenge he could not have foreseen.

[@noeoleole6911]

​@@kieraethan The United States felt justified to use it... and it was a civilized one. Imagine what others could do. To me, it's just mind-blowing that the US did that, of all the countries in the world, they are the only ones in history that has done such horrible act.

[@PatrickMCroft]

@@noeoleole6911 No, they are the only ones in history that did that exact horrible act.

[@adamtzsch]

@@noeoleole6911 "a civilized" what?

[@thomaskositzki9424]

@@kieraethan What are you on about? We are stumbling right back into the next cold war because our politicians thought globalization is a great idea. No, it just gave the sworn enemies of free deomcracies (which are rotten to itheir cores because of negligence btw) all the technologies, tools and resources they need to wipe us out. Even old Napoleon said in his days "If the Dragon (China) will ever wake up again, the world will tremble." Not forseeable? Perfectly forseeable. I saw it back in 2005 already.

[@Daania1999]

2:32 his expressions 😢😢 like he could burst into tears any moment....how painful it might have been for him to drag this burden for the rest of his life that he had created the deadliest monster on earth.

[@dpwme]

Debovani I saw the same eyes you saw. He was only a scientists moment from bursting into tears.

[@lucasbracher]

I find it incredible (in a good way) that, even after 20 years, he still doesn't have a good answer as to whether the bomb was necessary or not.

[@Letmetalk123]

His mind raced ahead of him, and he couldn’t stop it, and he created the weapon. He isn’t a bad or good person it’s his actions that were terrible, he’s a grey character, I think that’s what caught the eye of so many in the recent movie which was so amazing. I’m not saying what he did was a good person’s mindset but life caught him with it’s punishments. And nothing will justify it either.

[@Smarty2able]

No such thing as gray. He acknowledged his mistakes

[@AprilMHeil-cc1me]

Really well said

[@t3hPoundcake]

If Oppenheimer didn't do it, someone else soon after would have. He didn't have some divine key that nobody else could hold, he just happened to put it in the door first. We'd also have perhaps a million more casualties to add to US losses when we invaded Japan.

[@yol_n]

@@Smarty2able do you know what grey means?

[@martyfromnebraska1045]

Honestly dude just regretted it was used on Japan instead of Germany. We’ll never know, but I bet his position would be much different had Japan surrendered first and Germany last. Anyway, every American war crime is portrayed as shades of gray, no one is good or bad, etc. It’s nauseating.

[@damianmarkland8543]

Watching stuff like this makes you realise how far we have fallen intellectually.

[@leaveittolefty]

agree

[@connor_flanigan]

like, right?

[@abdul-kabiralegbe5660]

Well, he's exceptionally well educated so even then he wasn't representative of the general population at the time. There're still people like him today. As for the interviewer, yes current interviewers thrive too much on sensationalism and all because in this age of information overload, few people take the time to be objective.

[@damianmarkland8543]

@@abdul-kabiralegbe5660 it was the general style of the interview that seems to contrast so much with today's media. The interviewer didn't treat the audience like idiots, there was time to discuss an issue in detail and the focus was on understanding something about the human condition, rather than "owning" or "destroying" some imaginary opposition. The whole tone of the modern world is one of soundbites, meaningless phrases and self-soothing reaffirmation of our own biases.

[@ellemarr7234]

@@damianmarkland8543Reading comments like this makes me a little more sane. It’s rough out here for people who care about and remember the very best of American journalism

[@EZE800]

Great clip. I’m amazed at how thoughtful and elegantly worded his responses were.

[@geniemedford9200]

This is one of the best interviews I have seen with Robert Oppenheimer. I saw the film, which is extremely good. Humbling, sad circumstances, etc. Mr Oppenheimer did what he was asked to do. Our gov't, our president, and military leaders lead this event. The movie was so gripping and has caused millions to delve into this topic which I really was nor deeply knowledgeable about. That is why I am here. Thank you so much for posting this video.

[@kickinghorse2405]

I've never before heard Mr. Oppenheimer speak as many words as I have today. Thank you! (to whomever had the presence of mind and will to share this video). I am mesmerized (gratefully "dumbfound," really), both by his measured, careful, and clear speech - and by the gentle waves lapping a lazy, contented shore in the near distance. Peace be unto you, and all they who happily find themselves within your circle.

[@bayareaartist999]

he had that effect on people, that's why he was in charge of the project.

[@adamtzsch]

*dumbfounded *lapping at a It's easy to be mesmerised by a language you can't speak.

[@craigbmm4675]

I read that his family had a place on the US virgin Islands .. looks like this is where this interview took place.

[@FatherTau]

Wow. Outstanding interview, excellent comments. JRO died of throat cancer in 1967, two years after this interview.

[@julien4741]

He makes me think of a tired, sad Mr. Rogers.

[@sclogse1]

Don't mistake poise for tired.

[@hunterkarr5618]

Yes his voice has a similar timbre

[@jackroberts416]

I was thinking the same thing from a different video with him. Mr Roger's that is.

[@wicomms]

True

[@FEWGEE1]

Everyone needs to watch this interview. It should be shown in schools all around the world.

[@ElvisChibundu]

Today what's shown in US school is how you can change your gender as a minor

[@nicksteeves3652]

As a person who grew up with Mr. Rogers as a kid, its uncanny to me, the vocal resemblance that Oppenheimer and Roger's have. If you close your eyes you can almost mistake one for the other.

[@BaldBeardAxeDad]

If you watch the interview with Cillian Murphy that was one of his references to bringing Oppenheimer to life.

[@sagapoetic8990]

Mr. Rogers would never have dropped the bomb though

[@Shaker626]

@@sagapoetic8990 I feel Mr. Rogers would've let McArthur drop all the bombs he wanted on Korea.

[@misterbaker9728]

So they’re both closeted gay Men is all I take out of that

[@katiedc8239]

Yes, I noticed that right away. And isn't it interesting that both wanted to do something "good" and achieve "peace" for the world yet went about it in diametrically opposed ways? I would choose Mr. Rogers' way.

[@mjp96]

What a fantastic interview, thank you.

[@drayy8]

He really sounds like if Mr. Rogers took a darker path in his life.

[@Moonie787]

Yes! Exactly!

[@MsSango]

Omg he does!

[@nikkivenable73]

This comment is perfect. Yes, I agree!

[@JeffHouseholder]

I came here to say that.

[@markco61]

His emotional response is so telling...between 1:46 and 2:08, you can see he is a human being who cares about others, sees them as he does himself. He was doing a job for the government, then there was the spectre of would the Nazis get the bomb first or would hundreds of thousands die in an invasion of Japan as those in authority talked to him about.

[@NapnCat]

this was truly a stunning interview and insight into a clearly thoughtful if troubled genius. you can feel him internally in conflict. it’s captivating. they should release the Barbie interview next.

[@adamtzsch]

A "thoughtful" nuclear physicist? What next!?

[@BercowSandwich]

He almost sounds on the verge of tears at 2:30 when reminiscing on the atomic bombings. Wow this is a remarkable interview...

[@likerusmetalgaming5342]

Of course, all the devastation Japan had because of this man's "creation"

[@naveenk2897]

Such brilliant interview, his articulation is unmatched.... very rare & extraordinary personality. Thanks to Nolan`s movie, we got to see this in a different light now.

[@aidanrogers4438]

There’s a reason Oppenheimer is sometimes known as the “American Prometheus”, Prometheus was a figure who represented human striving, particularly the quest for scientific knowledge, the risk of overreaching and the unintended consequences. As well as embodying the lone genius whose efforts to improve human existence could also result in tragedy.

[@theman57211]

So far it hasn’t tho, some may argue atomic bombs have made the world safer.

[@patrickxxtheblankxx7581]

I don’t care how anyone views this man, I feel bad for him. I can tell by his demeanor and body language he was scarred.

[@peace4myheart]

I think it's guilt

[@carmarasmussen8118]

​@@peace4myheartI would say more likely regret rather than guilt.

[@_blank-_]

Good.

[@Zanoladab]

​@@carmarasmussen8118 it's just guilt not regret. Like he said he believed that there was no other better way to end the war, he believed it was for the greater good. But he still feels guilt that innocents still had to die

[@lindam9618]

Oppenheimer appears here like a ghost of himself. He is truly struggling here, and it's heartbreaking.

[@michaelhughes3302]

How must it feel to be the doctor of doom? He changed the world forever. If not him, it would be someone else... But it was him

[@mywifesboyfriend5558]

It bothered him, as it would most men. Like you said, someone would've done it. We were lucky he was on our side.

[@DC-zi6se]

​@@mywifesboyfriend5558by "our" you mean humanity's, I hope.

[@johnstitt2615]

@@DC-zi6sehe meant the west. Your hope does not make sense in the context of that era.

[@ianoliver3130]

​@@mywifesboyfriend5558Japanese kids and women were just unlucky I guess?

[@sandipsharma5140]

As a scientist, he was doing his duty.. Quest for science and question the limits of human mind. It's the leaders who decide what to do with the product.

[@etherealstars5766]

That final quote was beautiful and put hope into perspective. Hoping is to order your mind to optimism - to define what needs to be done and put action towards achieving those ends rather than falling into destitute inaction.