“Responsibility is a unique concept… You may share it with others, but your portion is not diminished. You may delegate it, but it is still with you… If responsibility is rightfully yours, no evasion, or ignorance or passing the blame can shift the burden to someone else. Unless you can point your finger at the man who is responsible when something goes wrong, then you have never had anyone really responsible.” (Admiral Rickover).
Rickover’s stance on responsibility is a compelling one, making the documentary, Rickover: The Birth Of Nuclear Power, on his life’s work, transforming our Navy into a nuclear juggernaut, is a fascinating one. His methods were uncanny, but none are bold enough to deny his results. So, how was he able to bring our navy into a new age as well as be instrumental in the creation of the nuclear industry?
First, Rickover had a distain for common methodology. Rules were a form of structure that limited perspective and thinking. Therefore, he tossed the rule book out the window and implemented his own. He was able to get away with this because he had friends on Capital Hill, and he got results. The documentary did a great job pulling us into his tale of disregard for regulation, but all in the name of progress without sacrificing safety along the way.
Rickover challenged us to change our way of thinking. He believed that we have the ability to solved any problem through education, science and discipline. Knowledge is our best way to quell our fear of the unknown, especially in regard to nuclear power. Discipline is the only way to ensure mistakes, like Three Mile Island, don’t happen because discipline, in Rickover’s eyes, is immune to the weaknesses of humanity.
Despite Rickover’s unflinching devotion to how safe nuclear power can be, we have to ask ourselves if the benefits of nuclear power trump its cost? In light of his success, I cannot say that I’m convinced.
We, America, may be responsible, but can we guarantee that same level of responsibility and discipline from other nations? Can we expect countries like Iran, Pakistan, Russia, China or North Korea to act with our level of integrity? Our integrity, which has led us to drop the only nuclear bombs used in war, primarily killing defenseless civilians.
The documentary was well filmed, but the second part about Rickover’s humble origins slowed the pace considerably. His career had enough conflict in it to keep the documentary from feeling like a lecture. The way the conversation between Rickover and President Reagan was filmed felt a bit unnatural and pulled me from the experience a bit.
Overall, this was a fascinating documentary and I feel that my knowledge on this subject matter has grown. Definitely worth the watch.
What is your opinion on nuclear power? Is it worth all of the risk?