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Militarized Dolphins Protect Almost a Quarter of the US Nuclear Stockpile

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221–230 of 231 posts

Re: Militarized Dolphins Protect Almost a Quarter of the US Nuclear Stockpile

#221
post #201

Earlier quoted context omitted.

While a complete nuclear war would cause radioactive waste to reach all the globe, humanity and civilization will likely survive, in the form of countries that were not primary targets. For example, in North America USA would be severely crippled, but Mexico would be mainly unscathed. Canada probably too, as it officially has no nuclear capabilities.

I mean, maybe, maybe not. Depends on a lot of factors. The entire collapse of a major superpower could potentially have a lot of knock-on effects on otherwise unscathed countries.

Spent fuel pools at nuclear reactors not getting cooled is a bit of an issue after a nuke exchange.

Re: Militarized Dolphins Protect Almost a Quarter of the US Nuclear Stockpile

#222

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I love what you're doing here. There is a logical, rational argument. And that's MAD (the acronym). You're saying you "obviously" don't believe people will act rational in 2 different ways 1) with second-strike guarantee people will act irrationally and launch nukes 2) without second-strike guarantee people will NOT act rationally and use nuclear strikes as a threat in negotiation, or outright launch and eliminate op…

Did Game theory prove that Nixxon's Madman theory was the best approach to handle a scenario of mutually assured destruction? I would have expected that playing an irrational, trigger happy bluffer would not be the best approach. Conversely, I do think that the Soviets expected to play rationally. Let's compare it with the COVID response. Did world leaders listen to their scientists, or did many act irrationally beca…

I don’t see how anyone conceivably can compare getting nearly 8 billion individuals to follow COVID orders where failure only requires 1 individual leaking the virus compared to a select few people who can launch nukes who all have to agree to go ahead with it and use that comparison to try to make a point.

Re: Militarized Dolphins Protect Almost a Quarter of the US Nuclear Stockpile

#223
post #200

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Mutual Assured Destruction" isn't a policy of anyone. It's a game theoretical idea that requires pre-conditions that don't necessarily apply. I mean, you hit on one of them: insane people. Most of the large nuclear powers have checks on that: the guy at the top can order the launch, but there's a bunch of relaying of the order. So the guys who turn the keys can refuse. So you need a bunch of insane people to make it…

What do you mean, had? Do you have any evidence their doomsday device isn't running anymore?

  Dr. Strangelove:
  Of course, the whole point of a Doomsday Machine is lost, if you *keep* it a *secret*! Why didn't you tell the world, EH?

  Ambassador de Sadesky:
  It was to be announced at the Party Congress on Monday. As you know, the Premier loves surprises.

Re: Militarized Dolphins Protect Almost a Quarter of the US Nuclear Stockpile

#224

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I mean come on, "enemy divers" will just kill the dolphins or avoid contact with them Good luck! You'd never see them coming and they're too fast and agile to "shoot".

I think while the dolphin is trying to place a buoy in his back, a well trained soldier can get the Dolphin away with a simple knife.

I doubt the dolphin loiters long enough. It's probably a "boop" and done. My money is on the dolphin in almost every situation unless there's a large disparity in divers vs dolphins.

Re: Militarized Dolphins Protect Almost a Quarter of the US Nuclear Stockpile

#225

"For protection against enemy divers, dolphins will swim up to the infiltrator, bump into them and place a buoy device on their back or a limb using their mouth. The buoy then drags the outed diver to the surface for easy capture." I mean come on, "enemy divers" will just kill the dolphins or avoid contact with them..

Imagine trying to kill or avoid a shark while diving... Where is it? Which direction is it coming from? How fast is it coming? How far can you see in this water, because it can "see" you with its non-visual senses...

except the shark isn't trying to kill you but to place a buoy on your back with it's mouth..

Re: Militarized Dolphins Protect Almost a Quarter of the US Nuclear Stockpile

#226
post #193

Anyone have an estimate of the numbers of dolphins and sea lions currently "enlisted"? I can't find numbers anywhere.

Excellent question, because it's likely a trivial number and a program that only still exists for PR purposes.

Re: Militarized Dolphins Protect Almost a Quarter of the US Nuclear Stockpile

#228

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Did Game theory prove that Nixxon's Madman theory was the best approach to handle a scenario of mutually assured destruction? I would have expected that playing an irrational, trigger happy bluffer would not be the best approach. Conversely, I do think that the Soviets expected to play rationally. Let's compare it with the COVID response. Did world leaders listen to their scientists, or did many act irrationally beca…

I don’t see how anyone conceivably can compare getting nearly 8 billion individuals to follow COVID orders where failure only requires 1 individual leaking the virus compared to a select few people who can launch nukes who all have to agree to go ahead with it and use that comparison to try to make a point.

Actually that is an amazingly good proxy for how effective MAD would be. Look at each world leader. Did they follow overwhelming scientific advice (backed up by peer pressure from all other world leaders) and publically promote lockdown, or did they publicwlly disown the science, announce their own solutions / policies etc.

Those that made official advice to "use aromatherapy" or something are people not likely to follow Game Theory.

The count is well above zero

Re: Militarized Dolphins Protect Almost a Quarter of the US Nuclear Stockpile

#229

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think you are overestimating how well a diver can maenouver under water in comparison to a dolphin.

Except the divers are probably Marines. Enemies which are probably well trained and armed. No Dolphin will bump on them and place a device on their back...

You have evidently never dived. Even the biggest, roughest, toughest marine diver would be outclassed by a juvenile dolphin with regard to mobility. Let alone a trained one who didn't want you to touch it.

Re: Militarized Dolphins Protect Almost a Quarter of the US Nuclear Stockpile

#230
post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No doubt surreal, but a single sub destroy the world? That piqued my interest so took a quick look and found an article [1]. This article states that "even a single vessel [submarine] could reduce as many as 288 city-sized targets into radioactive ash in less than 30 minutes." Later in the article they say that the Ohio class is capable of carrying up to 24 UGM-133 Trident II D5 submarine launched ballistic missiles.…

A single sub can destroy the world any time it's commander wishes, not by launching 288 warheads at 288 cities, but by launching one warhead, at either Moscow, or Washington. Contingency plans for responding to a decapitating strike will do the rest.

Can a submarine commander even launch a nuclear warhead independently ? I assumed explicit launch codes needed to be given from the top.
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