Nuclear War from a Cosmic Perspective

Abstract

I discuss the impact of computer progress on nuclear war policy, both by enabling more accurate nuclear winter simulations and by affecting the probability of war starting accidentally. I argue that from a cosmic perspective, humanity's track record of risk mitigation is inexcusably pathetic, jeopardizing the potential for life to flourish for billions of years.

Typos corrected. Based on my talk at the symposium "The Dynamics of Possible Nuclear Extinction" held February 28-March 1 2015 at The New York Academy of Medicine, http://totalwebcasting.com/view/?id=hcf