Is James Bond to blame?

It is nearly 50 years since the first James Bond film ‘Dr. No’ was released. The movies plot involves a maniac, intent on world domination who is operating a nuclear reactor from his small island in the Caribbean. Yes – hard to believe I agree!

[1] For image source, see below.

However, this movie has recently been criticised by Prof David Phillip, president of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) for casting a negative light over the image of nuclear power. The professor claims that Dr. No helped to create a “remorselessly grim” reputation for atomic energy and that after seeing the film, people viewed nuclear technology as a “barely controllable force for evil”.

Pretty strong words.

However, the RSC wants to quash these negative images and is looking for a “renaissance” in nuclear power. The organisation believes “… that nuclear power has to be part of the national energy mix.”

What are your thoughts? Do you think the media, especially movies, have given us an overly negative view of nuclear power?

So, is James Bond to blame? I think not, he saved us …. maybe the person to blame is Dr. No?

This article was adapted from the following article on the BBC website:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-16509668