this post was submitted on 13 Jan 2026
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They sacrificed their lives so we could know both the power and danger ofthee subatomic world. They are accidental heroes. Now, someone who did that shit today with full knowledge of the consequences - they would be batshit insane.
For what its worth, Slotin in particular knew the consequences. If i recall correctly, he had a reputation for being a bit of a "cowboy" when it came to experimental protocol. I believe the lab even had specially made tools for handling the core, but Slotin insisted on using a screwdriver because it was easier.
Thanks, I will read more about him. Was not aware.
To add on to what the other comments said, when the screwdriver slipped and the shell closed completely briefly, making the ball go critical, they all knew what happened and he immediately asked everyone in the room to note their position and calculated the approximate radiation dose they each got up figure out who was going to slowly melt into goo over the next few days and who was going to die of cancer over the years.
He knew right away that he was one of the goo ones.
So I'm not sure I'd call that heroic discovery because they already knew what would happen and were just showing off how much balls they had fucking with something so deadly.
Maybe, but Slotin knew exactly what kind of dangers he was dealing with. He just chose to be a nuclear cowboy instead.