The Realism Project

["Ted Rockwell" <tedrock@starpower.net>]

Friends:



In response to the Nucleonics Week write-up on the Realism Session at ANS, I

wrote the following note to the author:



Jenny Weil:



Thank you for your accurate and informative coverage of our ANS session on

realism.  There will continue to be newsworthy activities in this area for

some time.  I suggest you keep two points in mind in reviewing this work.

First, that this is not a move to put spin on our public relations; it is

addressed to the nuclear community, referring to how we should carry on our

work.  If that is done properly and honestly, it will not require spin in

the reporting.  And, incidentally, the initiative is not coming from the

industry and the advisory ommittees, which have been happily spending money

addressing non-existing risks.  The initiative is coming from the

scientists, engineers and regulators, for whom the disconnects between the

scary claims and the scientific data have become too obvious to live with.



Second, there is no attempt here to lower safety standards or performance.

Basing design and performance on scientifically valid premises, increases

safety.  It does not decrease safety.



Thanks again for your interest and reportage.  This is a vital turning point

in nuclear technologies, and it warrants all the understanding it can get.

Please feel free to call me any time if I can help.