Weinberg: The First Nuclear Era, part 3

A new series? Not exactly.  Just wanted to take a little time out from my reading of the book to make a few comments.  The most recent post is here.  The first post is here.

1. Weinberg was no extremist, but he believed Ralph Nader is.
2. He believed in global warming.  He may have been one of the first to say so.  In a way, he may be responsible for the movement to limit or eliminate the use of fossil fuels.
3. He also believed in nuclear power.  He believed it would free mankind.
4. He was for solar power too ( surprising ).  But not as an ultimate energy solution.
5. He may be partly responsible for the doubts about light water reactors, which he expressed to Nader.
6. The book isn't about molten-salt reactors ( surprising ).
7. He said he battled stage fright and overcame it.  He had to because he was called upon for public speaking in his duties as a public figure.
8. My impression of him is a very modest and rational man---quite the opposite of  what I've read about Admiral Rickover.
9. His use of the term "Faustian Bargain" is unfortunate.  The real Faustian bargain has been with the nuclear bomb.  Another Faustian bargain is about to replace that one.  More on this idea in the future.
10. He realized he was in imperfect man, as is true with all people.  His lack of judgment sometimes, like the time he went to Nader with his doubts, was possibly one of those flaws.  He recognized that going to Nader about his doubts about light water reactors was a mistake.

Those are some observations and comments.  There will be more later.

Update:

Finished the book.   A few more observations and comments

1. Six propositions to save nuclear energy p. 228
2. Considered space to be a low priority.  Biology to be a top priority.  Can't agree with him on that.
3. Believed that Hiroshima should be "sanctified".  He believed that this would create a taboo on the use of nuclear weapons.  Can't agree with that, either.
4. He saw himself as a token nuclear advocate that the anti nukes found useful.  That is unfortunate that he let himself be used that way.  Back to the judgment flaw that I mentioned above.