Nuclear war a trigger?

[JmPittsburgh]

Hi all -

I grew up during the Cold War, when it seemed inevitable that there would eventually be a nuclear war between the US and the USSR that would destroy the planet. Then, after the Soviet Union collapsed, there was a day sometime around 1991 where I remember thinking, "oh man, there isn't going to be a nuclear war after all!" and a huge weight lifted from my shoulders. (Everyone around my age that I've talked to has said the same thing - just some random day, they had that realization.)

And then when Putin invaded Ukraine (I do *not* want to get into any of the politics of this) all of a sudden it seemed like a real possibility again. Relations with China are also not reassuring.

I've gone through times where my depression included CTB thoughts, and I even developed a serious plan. Problem is - the plan involved jumping (I live in a large city; it's an entirely realistic plan) - but if there's a nuclear war and I'm left after the bombs drop, I definitely need a serious plan to CTB, and I suspect there won't be anything particularly tall for me to jump from. So I'm thinking about firearms, but am very much on the fence. Do I want to have a gun in my home? I know that I've had moments where I was so depressed that although I wanted to CTB, the thought of going all the way downtown...etc., etc...was so daunting that I just stayed in bed. Would the same thing have happened with a firearm in the house?
I don't know what my point is here except to say that I am very confused - but I have at least gone to the step of getting a firearms permit for my state... I dunno.

Anyone at all remember that Cold War feeling of dread, and is it coming back?

J

 

[Jrmull1993]

I was born in '93, so I can't relate to how you felt, but from seeing all this in the news, part of me hopes this results in the end of mankind. Or at the very least, a drastic reduction in this invasive species.

 

[locked*n*loaded]

If there's a nuclear war, ctb might not even be necessary. I doubt there'll be a nuclear war. If one side fires nukes, the other side(s) will fire nukes. It's called "mutually assured destruction" or MAD, and all the players know they will be destroyed, also. It would take someone psychotic in charge, and neither Putin, Xi, or Biden are psychotic. And there are safeguards built in to everyone's systems to make sure a "madman" doesn't fire off nukes. I don't believe it's ever going to happen.

 

[Euthanza]

Those trillions of dollars put into weapon we do not use, what a waste!

 

[woe-boy]

Nukes are considerable 'paper tigers' as the Chinese aptly said. We may construct them, or threaten with them, but it's all about who has the most toys. Putin has an economy the size of just the state of Texas, with a nuclear arsenal he got from the previous crumbled government. I don't trust them, but even if the US has less nukes, we likely have better technology than them, and as a previous poster mention, MAD is protocol. There is no ruling the world, enslaving the masses after a nuclear war We all go hungry, sick, starve, and CTB from the aftermath. Some will die instantly from the radiation blasts. Nuclear bombs blowing up nuclear plants as well.

It'll never happen because it's the end of greed, it's the end of humanity, it's the end of Earth as a habitable planet.

I do not know much about China's stance on nuclear policy. Xi Jinping seems to be taking major gambles on the world stage and it could cost China what's left of its recessed economy.

The owners of this world are working towards a new 'digital' money that will end the previous 'cash is king' monetary universe. The future of wealth will be blockchain and we will all suffer from this drastic transition from the Dollar to Bitcoin. Old, retired boomers with retirement pensions and stock investments will suffer the most.

 

[veryhappyhuman]

Those trillions of dollars put into weapon we do not use, what a waste!

I guess it's kinda like buying a gun and keeping it locked up in the safe, with a sign on your front door saying you're armed. The feeling of safety that comes from knowing others can't attack you now, is what you get for the price; not so much the weapon itself.

@OP: I think you can safely take this particular one off the trigger list. As others have stated, nuclear war during our lifetime is just extremely, extremely unlikely. There have been so many opportunities to use them in even just the last 25 years, yet no one has done so. This includes both Western and Eastern nuclear countries, both first world and non-first world countries (e.g India). So leaders from different cultures and ideologies have all refused to use them so far. Heck, they haven't even used it against non-nuclear countries where MAD isn't an immediate concern.

I suppose there would probably be more conventional wars though, what with the world skewing towards more authoritarian leaders lately.

 

[anxiousguineapig]

I share a fear of nuclear war. Personally I am considering buying SN just in case (if sealed the packages last a long time). Alternatively, charcoal for CO poisoning, which I think would be even more effective combined with SN. Both of those could be stored almost indefinitely.

Or look into night night or partial hanging methods. Things that rely on compressing carotids are doable in almost any situation.

For what it's worth though, it doesn't seem any credible people think a nuclear war is likely and I agree with them. Most of this for me is just peace of mind.

 

[Fadeawaaaay]

I don't see a nuclear war in our future. Though I would love to be instantly vaporized.

 

[Julgran]

Hi all -

I grew up during the Cold War, when it seemed inevitable that there would eventually be a nuclear war between the US and the USSR that would destroy the planet. Then, after the Soviet Union collapsed, there was a day sometime around 1991 where I remember thinking, "oh man, there isn't going to be a nuclear war after all!" and a huge weight lifted from my shoulders. (Everyone around my age that I've talked to has said the same thing - just some random day, they had that realization.)

And then when Putin invaded Ukraine (I do *not* want to get into any of the politics of this) all of a sudden it seemed like a real possibility again. Relations with China are also not reassuring.

I've gone through times where my depression included CTB thoughts, and I even developed a serious plan. Problem is - the plan involved jumping (I live in a large city; it's an entirely realistic plan) - but if there's a nuclear war and I'm left after the bombs drop, I definitely need a serious plan to CTB, and I suspect there won't be anything particularly tall for me to jump from. So I'm thinking about firearms, but am very much on the fence. Do I want to have a gun in my home? I know that I've had moments where I was so depressed that although I wanted to CTB, the thought of going all the way downtown...etc., etc...was so daunting that I just stayed in bed. Would the same thing have happened with a firearm in the house?
I don't know what my point is here except to say that I am very confused - but I have at least gone to the step of getting a firearms permit for my state... I dunno.

Anyone at all remember that Cold War feeling of dread, and is it coming back?

J

Well, in such a scenario with a nuclear war, I'm guessing that voluntary stopping of eating and drinking (VSED) would be a viable option, since there would be almost no chance at a better life. With that method, you may be dead in 3 to 7 days, and no one can take that method away from you.

 

[Ligottian]

No one saw World War One coming. I think the current leadership of the USA is psychopathic enough to start or least provoke a nuclear war. Just look at the Pelosi trip to Tawain. China and Russia are not Afghan goat herders.

 

[Shu]

I don't think there will be a nuclear war.

 

[Gustav Hartmann]

Imagine Biden, Putin or Xi Jinping are like the people in this forum, suicidal!

 

[Ligottian]

Imagine Biden, Putin or Xi Jinping are like the people in this forum, suicidal!

Some deep speculation there! Food for thought.

 

[Rational man]

In times like this. Miscalculation can be a threat, or even misunderstanding a situation. WW1, saw large losses on the front line because bone- headed generals who were stationed away from harms way, misunderstood the gravity of what was happening. We may have sophisticated technology today , but unfortunately, i think humankind doesn't progress beyond boneheads.

 

[Sunset Limited]

I think there is a possibility of nuclear war. Do not underestimate human stupidity.

 

[Jrmull1993]

Imagine Biden, Putin or Xi Jinping are like the people in this forum

I didn't know there was an online forum for the brain dead....