Chernobyl 20-year mark underscores need for transparency

Alex Steffen at Worldchanging blog says,

What if we made the anniversary of Chernobyl an annual opportunity to make sure we're not doing other dumb and potentially disastrous stuff now? (…) No technology is in itself trustworthy, and changing the world demands widespread understanding of and democratic control over science and its fruits. The Chernobyl disaster should have seared into our minds not only a disgust for radioactive pollution, but also a hatred of secrecy and elite control.

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Reader comment: Jim says,

My friends and I (the "weirdos" of our high school) did something similar on the 26th to remind people about human stupidity… we Wrote "Otrava. V'spomitye Chornobool" or "Poison. Remember Chernobyl" on our hands. When written in Russian, people get curious and ask you what's written on your hand, giving the perfect opportunity for a "don't be stupid" talk. All and all, not many people asked, but it's still a way to raise awareness of the dangers the disaster still pose.

You can find a crappy camera phone pic of my inked-up hand here.