Culture and Nuclear Weapons

If we change our cultural conceptions of nuclear weapons, we can make the world safer from nuclear threats.

The dangers of nuclear weapons are rarely communicated in a way that is compelling and accessible, despite the fact that these risks affect us all. At Ploughshares Fund, we are exploring the power of media, technology, and popular culture to change perceptions and attitudes. Learn more about our Cultural Change Initiative here.

Latest News, Analysis and Explorations of Culture and Nuclear Weapons

Event: The Tragedy of American Nuclear Policy

We're delighted to announce that Joe Cirincione, Ploughshares Fund president, will be speaking at Stanford's Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC) on Tuesday, March 3 from 3:30-5:00pm. This event is free and open to the public, and we would be honored to have you join us...

February 12, 2020 - By Ploughshares Fund
We don't have to live in fear of nuclear weapons

As both an Anglican priest and as a Ploughshares Fund board member committed to the elimination of nuclear weapons, I think a lot about the moral aspect of the issue. And after two decades of activism in this space, I’m convinced the essential moral questions around nuclear weapons aren’t...

January 8, 2020 - By Ploughshares Fund
Hollywood and the Bomb

“Audiences are not as dumb as you think they are,” said Kate Folb. “I’m sure everybody listening knows about some show you’ve watched or a movie you’ve watched where something was inaccurate and you are immediately taken out of the story.” “You immediately go, ‘Eh, that’s not true,” Folb...

December 9, 2019 - By Zack Brown
Conscience and the Scientific Community

When Kennette Benedict joined the board of the Ploughshares Fund in 2012, she was Executive Director and Publisher of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, at the apex of a distinguished professional career devoted to spotlighting the existential risks of nuclear weapons and...

October 28, 2019 - By Ploughshares Fund
Operation Ajax, Los Angeles

Farshad Farahat is a writer and actor (Argo, House of Cards) who is studying for a PhD in Conflict Resolution at Nova Southeastern, focusing on resolving US-Iran grievances. He is on the Ploughshares Fund board of directors and is now performing in ...

September 26, 2019 - By Will Lowry
Joe Cirincione discusses the New Moment

Watch Joe Cirincione, President of Ploughshares Fund and host of the "Press the Button" podcast. In his introduction to the theme of the event, Chain Reaction 2019, he discusses a new moment facing US nuclear policy, in the midst of a trillion-dollar nuclear arms buildup and escalating crises in...

June 19, 2019 - By Ploughshares Fund
Beatrice Fihn on California and the Nuclear Ban

We had the privilege of hearing Beatrice Fihn speak about California's role in the problem of nuclear weapons, the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons and the importance of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Watch her full remarks in the video.

June 19, 2019 - By Ploughshares Fund
Alex Wellerstein on the "New" Nuclear Arms Race

Watch Alex Wellerstein's demonstration of NUKEMAP, an interactive map that uses declassified nuclear weapons effects data to model the explosion of nuclear weapons (contemporary, historical, or of any given arbitrary yield) on virtually any terrain and at virtually any altitude. He...

June 19, 2019 - By Ploughshares Fund
Ben Rhodes on No First Use and Ploughshares Fund

Watch Ben Rhodes' discussion of a No First Use nuclear weapons policy and see a video promoting that policy. We had the privilege of hearing him speak about the importance of a recent...

June 19, 2019 - By Ploughshares Fund
N Square Collaborative

Since our inception, innovation has been a core part of Ploughshares Fund’s quest to reduce and eliminate nuclear weapons. From small seed grants to early stage funding for less conventional projects, it remains a part of who we are. Over the years our investments have adapted and shifted with...

May 23, 2019 - By Ploughshares Fund