bought us a lot of latitude with the American public.Oppenheimer · 2023 — Chapter 18 of 28 · 3'37" · C1
The Target Committee Debates the Bomb, Explained: a lot of latitude
The men deciding how to use the bomb argue about numbers and warnings: a demonstration, a list of cities, a warning that might only help the enemy. One voice warns that announcing it and having it fail would "scupper any chance of a Japanese surrender." Kyoto is struck off for its culture—and its honeymoon memories.
What happens
At the Target Committee meeting, officers and scientists try to decide how the atomic bomb should be used. They weigh civilian deaths, the psychological impact, whether to warn Japan first, and whether to demonstrate the weapon twice. Kyoto is removed from the target list for its cultural importance, and the group debates how open to be with the Soviets.
Listen for
a lot of latitudescupper any chance ofunder any circumstancesgo off
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Now
Phrase of the scene
a lot of latitude
很大的回旋余地；行动与容错的自由空间
目标委员会开会时，格罗夫斯向在座军官解释，战争经历让美国公众对使用原子弹更为宽容。
His years of service bought him plenty of latitude with the board.
Also in this scene
- scupper any chance of
彻底断送……的机会
- under any circumstances
在任何情况下（都不）
- go off
（炸弹）爆炸；（警报、闹钟）响起
Everything marked in this scene
28 notes across 62 lines
Uh, the A-bomb might not cause as much damage as the Tokyo bombings.don't underestimate the psychological impact of a...liaison
don't underestimate the psychological impact of a...Deadly neutron effects for a mile, in all directions,from one single device.the atomic bomb will be a terrible revelation of divine power.conditional
If that's true, it would be definitive.And we could issue a warning to reduce civilian casualties.They'd send everything they have up against us, and I'd be up in that plane.we'd scupper any chance of a Japanese surrender.we'd scupper any chance of a Japanese surrender.We intend to demonstrate it in the most unambiguous terms.stress
We intend to demonstrate it in the most unambiguous terms.until-clause
Once to show the weapon's power and a second to show that we can keep doing this until they surrender.I've taken Kyoto off the list due to its cultural significance to the Japanese people.Let me make this simple for you, gentlemen.under any circumstances short of a successful and total invasion of the home islands.If we retain moral advantage.You've been misinformed.A Russian bomb is a matter of time.flap
A Russian bomb is a matter of time.Not all scientists on the project are in agreement.by certain scientists of doubtful discretion and uncertain loyalty.Now, we need these men, but as soon as it's practical, we should sever any such scientists from the program.Now, we need these men, but as soon as it's practical, we should sever any such scientists from the program.time clause
Now, we need these men, but as soon as it's practical, we should sever any such scientists from the program.need not make unkeepable promises.The Target Committee Debates the Bomb, explained
What's really going on
The scene is a committee meeting, but it plays like the last quiet moment before a verdict. The language is bureaucratic—estimates, warnings, latitude—and that is the point: the decision to bomb is spoken about in the vocabulary of damage reports. Two arguments collide here. One is practical and forward-looking, worrying that a warning could "scupper any chance of a Japanese surrender"; the other is moral, and it survives only as a small protest, the fear of an America where this is done and no one objects. The Kyoto detail completes the picture: even a target list can carry sentiment, and a honeymoon memory can decide the fate of a city. The machine keeps moving.
Theme
PowerThe meeting shows how a handful of officials decide the use of an unprecedented weapon.
DutyEveryone at the table weighs lives against orders, warnings against military advantage.
Listen for
- don't underestimate — liaison
- the most unambiguous — stress
- matter of time — flap
A Russian bomb is a matter of time.The warning that secrecy cannot prevent others from building the bomb; only time separates them.
Secrecy won't stop the Soviets from becoming part of the atomic world.An argument that hiding the technology cannot keep other powers out of the nuclear age.
Now, we need these men, but as soon as it's practical, we should sever any such scientists from the program.A push to remove scientists whose loyalty is questioned once they are no longer needed.
I worry about an America where we do these things and no one protests.A moral objection: the real danger is a public that stops objecting.
Questions about this scene
What is the committee deciding?
How to use the atomic bomb: whether to warn Japan, whether to demonstrate it, which cities to target, and how much openness to offer the Soviets.
Why is Kyoto removed from the target list?
Because of its cultural significance to the Japanese people, and because a member of the group honeymooned there and calls it a magnificent city.
What is the plan for demonstrating the bomb?
To show it in the most unambiguous terms, twice: once to prove its power and a second time to show they can keep bombing until Japan surrenders.
What does "scupper any chance of a Japanese surrender" mean?
It means announcing the bomb and then having it fail to explode would destroy any possibility that Japan gives up, so the element of surprise matters.
What worry does someone raise about the American public?
One voice worries about an America where these things are done and no one protests, questioning what the country becomes if it stays silent.
Oppenheimer · 28 chapters
All chapters →
Up next · Chapter 19gallows humorWaiting Out the Storm at Trinity
Chapter 1leaves a little to be desiredBohr Sends Oppenheimer to Göttingen
Chapter 2the man for the jobStrauss Offers Oppenheimer a Job
Chapter 3seek outRabi Meets Oppenheimer on a Train
Chapter 4a vicious cycleOppenheimer Starts His Quantum Seminar
Chapter 5wiggle roomPolitical Debate at a Party
Chapter 6wring your neckOppenheimer Names Los Alamos
Chapter 7from moneyOppenheimer Explains Empty Space
Chapter 8herd intoLawrence Shuts Down the Union
Chapter 9point takenGroves Offers Oppenheimer the Job
Chapter 10a point of no returnOppenheimer Asks Einstein About Doomsday
Chapter 11pass onChevalier Suggests Passing Secrets
Chapter 12the business at handTeller Pitches the H-Bomb
Chapter 13Thanks for nothingCondon Quits Los Alamos
Chapter 14drop in and outOppenheimer's Last Night With Jean
Chapter 15a cock-and-bull storyOppenheimer's Cock-and-Bull Story
Chapter 16took a wrong turnBohr Warns of the Aftermath
Chapter 17go down this roadThe GAC Debates the H-Bomb
Watching · Chapter 18a lot of latitudeThe Target Committee Debates the Bomb
Chapter 19gallows humorWaiting Out the Storm at Trinity
Chapter 20blood on my handsOppenheimer Meets President Truman
Chapter 21A man of convictionThe Fuchs Spy Case Comes Up
Chapter 22curse the name ofOppenheimer Refuses the Super Bomb
Chapter 23how the game is playedPlanning Oppenheimer's Downfall
Chapter 24MermaidsRabi Defends Oppenheimer
Chapter 25cuts both waysBorden Reads the Accusation Letter
Chapter 26made mincemeat out ofHill Blames Strauss at the Hearing
Chapter 27Haven't the slightest ideaKitty Testifies Before the Board
Chapter 28moral scruplesOppenheimer Is Cross-ExaminedChapter 18 of 28 · about 26 min to go