That was a fascinating read! The 2 accidents surrounding it were very interesting to read about. They were both basic human mistakes that led to the ghastly consequences they unfortunately produced. The 2nd accident though, by Slotin--that was hubris. How could one have skirted such simple safety protocols? Dude was controlling a very very very powerful experiment with a screwdriver in his hand being all that stood between the team of scientists and a staggering amount of radiation... Then it slips! 👀

RamenJunkie@midwest.social · 10 pts · 138d (4 replies)

Whats even more terrible about the second one, is Feynman over there telling him he was a fucking idiot for doing it that way and he (Slotin) was going to get himself killed.

blockheadjt@sh.itjust.works · 6 pts · 138d

Anyone who hasn't read Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman, go check it out

frunch@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 138d

I think they were referring to it as "tickling the dragons tail" which certainly seems like a fitting description. It's absolutely bonkers how much radiation exposure happened in that moment.

ExtremeUnicorn@feddit.org · 2 pts · 138d

Richard Feynman

la508@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 138d

And Fermi

charonn0@startrek.website · 3 pts · 138d (1 reply)

They made a movie that dramatized the accidents really well:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hh89h8FxNhQ

valen@piefed.social · 3 pts · 138d

The movie Fat Man and Little Boy

OpenStars@piefed.social · 1 pts · 138d

This is why we probably should be more careful when we do things that could potentially like, oh I dunno, open up a black hole here on Earth. I mean, it's not like accidents never happen!! Oh wait... they DO!

cabillaud@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 139d (1 reply)

8.9cm diameter, 6.2kg. Says a lot. E: apparently it was 87°C too

abcd@feddit.org · 4 pts · 138d

I can’t even imagine something so small being so dense that it weighs 6,2kg.

FalschgeldFurkan@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 138d

Thanks 🙂

atropa@piefed.social · 8 pts · 139d

[ removed ]

hanrahan@slrpnk.net · 8 pts · 138d (2 replies)

Ricky Gervais and Piers Morgan did a thing on this ? you can be blind but still entitled to own a firearm but can't get a kinder surprise chocolate toy.

sureshot0@discuss.online · 6 pts · 138d (1 reply)

Kids were just shoving them in their mouths whole and choking nearly to death... clearly a cultural difference, here.

vaultdweller013@sh.itjust.works · 8 pts · 138d

European kids: Eat the delicacy slowly.

American kids: Devours it like a starved Tyranid.

Kolanaki@pawb.social · 7 pts · 138d

I bought one branded as having Pokemon figures in it, but it had fucking Mickey Mouse in it.

I'd be less angry with a demon core. (cuz I'd be dead and thus unable to feel anything)

zr0@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 5 pts · 138d

Kinder Egg, now with a spicy surprise.

But the problem is shipping that fucker enclosed, because all the logistic chain is going to be a pain in the ass. People dying off quicker than you can replace them.

waz@feddit.uk · 4 pts · 138d

HugeNerd@lemmy.ca · 4 pts · 138d

Little know fact: an embryonic Russian egg sac just about fits inside a Kinder Surprise and shields it from scanners.

mr_anny@sopuli.xyz · 1 pts · 139d

[ removed ]

AbidingOhmsLaw@lemmy.ml · 1 pts · 139d

If I recall there is an FDA rule that says you can't sell a food item that contains a non edible thing that could cause someone to choke.

Edit: Here it is

Section 402(d)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act provides that confectionery having partially, or completely imbedded therein, any non-nutritive object is adulterated unless FDA has issued a regulation recognizing that the non-nutritive object is of practical functional value to the confectionery product and would not render the product injurious or hazardous to health.

ExtremeDullard@piefed.social · 1 pts · 139d

[ removed ]