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Lex Fridman Podcast #420 · March 22, 2024 · 3h 12m

Nuclear War, CIA, KGB, Aliens, Area 51, Roswell & Secrecy

Investigative journalist Annie Jacobsen on what would actually happen in a nuclear war — minute by minute, from launch to extinction. Based on interviews with nuclear war planners, her book Nuclear War: A Scenario walks through the 72 minutes from first launch to the end of civilization.

This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.

Highlights

Nuclear war would end civilization in 72 minutes — and the public doesn't understand this
Jacobsen: from first ICBM launch to the functional end of civilization is approximately 72 minutes. There is no defense, no bunker that saves you, no plan that works. The public's ignorance of this reality is itself a risk.

References

Nuclear War: A ScenarioAnnie Jacobsen (2024)Minute-by-minute account of nuclear war
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