In 1995, the Exploratorium invited the public to post their ideas and opinions about the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and about the nuclear age in general. What resulted was an online public forum which we have excerpted here. We believe that the variety of opinions expressed indicates the complexity of these historic events; we hope that this forum affords readers some insight into the thinking of others.

The debate covered several topics: the process of representing history, the inhumanity of war, the ethical responsibilities of scientists and technologists, and the historical decision to use the bomb. We thank those who joined in this discussion.

The MEMORY Exhibition