Generations raised during the Cold War internalized the fear of nuclear annihilation, cultivated through popular culture. Visuals of nuclear war and apocalyptic scenarios were common in entertainment, creating a profound sense of dread. In contrast, younger generations now face different fears, such as terrorism, climate change, and artificial intelligence, making nuclear war appear less of an immediate threat. Despite the reduced number of nuclear weapons from the era of Cold War madness, the current stockpile remains significant, still posing a potential danger.
During the Cold War, popular culture provided Americans with images of nuclear war. Mushroom clouds, DEFCON alerts, exploding buildings, fallout-shelter signs—the possibility of a nuclear holocaust was always lurking in the background, like the figure of Death hiding among revelers in a Bosch triptych.
Ensuing generations have grown up with their own fears: Terrorism, climate change, and now AI are upending life across the globe, and nuclear war might seem more like a historical curiosity than a concrete threat.
Collection
[
|
...
]