Visions of fusion danced in our heads

Written By Peter Allan

People work inside the target bay of the National Ignition Facility at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, Calif.Damien Jemison via Reuters

By Chris Hatch

Great news, everyone! No need to fret about the accelerating onslaught of climate impacts or our fossilized politics, salvation is at hand — fusion is coming.

It takes nothing away from the scientists’ achievement this week to recognize that public reaction to the fusion announcement was very peculiar. Rapturous coverage throughout the mediasphere, viral zealotry on social media. Most notable and most difficult to achieve: full brain-worm penetration among the general public. Not just among the Popular Mechanics crowd but deep into circles not usually enthralled by the mechanics of power generation.

Fusion clearly activated the subterranean narratives that shape our thinking. Several of them are hostile to climate action. Some as ancient as our religious impulse.

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Peter Allan
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