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...We may anticipate a state of affairs in which two Great Powers will each be in a position to put an end to the

civilization and life of the other, though not without risking its own. We may be likened to two scorpions in a bottle,
each capable of killing the other, but only at the risk of his own life....

— J. Robert Oppenheimer, 1953 (scientist, Manhattan Project)



Describe how this quote is relevant today.

User Leena
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Answer:

J. Robert Oppenheimer's quote about two scorpions in a bottle is still relevant today because it speaks to the dangers of the global political situation, particularly the threat of nuclear war between major world powers. In today's world, there are several Great Powers that possess large nuclear arsenals, including the United States, Russia, China, and other countries. These countries have the ability to destroy one another, but they also know that any use of nuclear weapons would likely result in their own destruction as well. This creates a situation of mutually assured destruction, where neither side is willing to take the risk of starting a nuclear war.

The quote is also relevant today because it highlights the need for diplomacy and cooperation between nations in order to prevent the escalation of conflicts and the potential use of nuclear weapons. As Oppenheimer notes, the situation is akin to two scorpions in a bottle, where both sides are capable of causing great harm to each other, but ultimately only end up harming themselves. In order to avoid such a destructive outcome, it is important for countries to work together and find peaceful solutions to their differences.

User Benjamin Peterson
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