Atomic Artifacts
Summary
Hosted by Lulu Miller and Jad Abumrad, this Radiolab episode explores the Cold War-era secret plan to save specific artifacts to preserve American identity after a nuclear attack. Producer Simon Adler investigates these historical choices and crowdsources modern opinions from veterans, historians, and Native Americans on what truly represents the nation. The discussion reveals deep divides over nationalism versus resilience, ultimately converging on the Apollo moon missions as a symbol of transcendent unity.
Topics discussed
Intro: Fire story and the mystery of a secret government project
Discovery of a classified ID badge and its hidden location
Cold War context: Nuclear war as a survivable event
Government survival plans: Refugee camps, survival crackers, and bunker cash
The 'Totems of America': Artifacts chosen to preserve national identity
Break and sponsor messages
Crowdsourcing new totems: Suggestions from veterans, museums, and experts
Critique of the project: Jazz, spirituality, and the danger of nationalism
Indigenous perspective: Oral tradition vs. written documents
Conclusion: The Apollo moon landing as a symbol of unity and hope
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