Assignment #7

Robert Oppenheimer is one of the most significant figures to contribute to form the modern world. His invention of an atomic bomb empowered America to be the most influential country in the world, and it determined basic power relationships among the countries as the World War II ended. It's not too much to say that today' s protected and privileged American life is created by his invention. However, the country paid back to loyalty of the patriotic scientist by devastating him. Oppenheimer's great fall is seen as tragedy. 

The story of the birth of an atomic bomb allowed me to connect both science and humanities because Oppenheimer’s struggle and anguish behind the success of the atomic bomb were so humane. Although greatly gifted and talented, Oppenheimer didn't live in a happy life. His lacking social ability made his childhood lonely. After he grew up, he was involved in Communists Party, and he had affair with women who are the members of Communist. I feel that his desire for deep connection with people and community might also be his drive to engage in intensive political movement. Moreover, his fall as a scientist after the invention of an atomic bomb is a great tragedy. Oppenheimer dedicated all his knowledge to invent an atomic bomb for the United States. However, the government paid off his devotion by breaking him. They decided to withdraw him from Atomic Energy Commission and denied his security clearance. He was torn apart by the betrayals and rejection of his patriotic spirit.

Oppenheimer’s invention opened the atomic era. I think the creation of an atomic bomb was the most threatening science. It cut the path to the development of massive destructive weapons. Today, H-bombs achieve 25,000 times the yield of the nuclear bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The idea of creation of destructive weapons is very depressing and threatening. There is nothing creative and productive about this creation other than economical and political benefits as it is only destroying our limited habitat, the earth. Science would become much more appreciative if we could channel this knowledge and finance for development space technology that might expand our habitat.

Assignment #6

I'm writing about the history of Oppenheimer, a scientist who invented atomic bomb. In my research paper, I want to write about his personal aspect of life. He was a great humanities person who, fortunately or unfortunately,  happened to be talented as a physicist. I'm trying to prove that he was a victim of his own invention, and real tragic hero of America.  


To suport my argument, I'm going to use two sources.


"J. Robert Oppenheimer, 1904-1967 " by E.,R

file:///Volumes/NO%20NAME/PDF%20lib200.pdf

I found this source from EBSCOhost and thought it's helpful for my research paper. Describing Oppenheimer's character is vital to prove that his history was tragic, and this article provides his social awkwardness as well as his charismatic leadership. The information provided in this article is very valuable as it is written by the scientist who worked with Oppenheimer in Manhattan Project. According to the article, in the beginning, everyone thought he wasn't a qualified leader of such an important project as he had no experience of leading a large group of people. Also, he possessed some arrogance and snobbishness. There were mixed feelings among the scientists upon Oppenheimer's appointment as a leader. However, his charismatic leadership was soon acknowledged. E.,R proves Oppenheimer's amazing leadership by saying that without Oppenheimer, the project wouldn't have succeeded in such a short period. I chose this article because this source can add the clear idea my scientist. Despite his talent and leadership skills, Oppenheimer was a person just like us, having flaw and drawbacks. This sense allows reader to emphasize Oppenheimer as they read his tragic fall. 　


"Brotherhood of the Bomb " by Parshall Gerald


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I also found this article from EBSCOhost. It discusses Oppenheimer's support for the use of an atomic bomb; he envisioned the world's peace in the use of an atomic bomb. The author's argument is helpful for my research paper. I want to make a point that Oppenheimer's motive to use an nuclear weapon was not to destroy the world, but to stop the war and realize a peaceful world. According to the article, he believed that by using an atomic bomb, America would threat the world, and consequently, all nations would unite to control nuclear energy. We shouldn't highlight only the fact that he supported the use of an atomic bomb. He was a scientist who believed in peace. His hope in the invention of an atomic bomb produces great irony late in his life. His hope was betrayed, and he became a contributor to arms race. The information in this article helps to convey his depression when he discovered he became "destroyer of world."