Most people do not want to think about nuclear war. That is perfectly understandable. The subject is frightening, overwhelming, and for many it feels like a relic of the Cold War that should have been left behind decades ago. But nuclear weapons have not gone away. They remain on alert, integrated into modern military doctrines, and they feature in the calculations of world leaders today. Pretending they no longer matter does not make the danger disappear.
At the DEFCON Warning System, we monitor these risks every day. That is our role. But it is not the public’s responsibility to live under the same constant vigilance. In fact, it would be unhealthy to do so. Still, it is important for people to give the matter some thought from time to time, because the risk — while not constant — carries consequences so severe that ignoring it entirely is itself a danger.
The Value of Awareness
Why does awareness matter? Because nuclear war is not a theoretical problem. It has nearly happened before. The Cuban Missile Crisis is the most famous example, when the United States and the Soviet Union came perilously close to nuclear exchange. The public of the time had little idea how close the world stood to catastrophe.
And the risks are not confined to history. Today, the war in Ukraine functions as a proxy conflict between Russia and NATO. Russian drones and missiles have already strayed into NATO territory. These are not abstract possibilities but current events. They remind us that accidents, miscalculations, or deliberate escalations can happen in our own era just as easily as they could sixty years ago.
Awareness does not mean living in fear. Rather, it means recognising that nuclear risk exists, that it can affect our lives and societies, and that it requires a level of attention proportionate to events.
How Much Attention Is Enough?
There is no need for the general public to watch every military movement or study every threat. That is what we do. Our task is to track developments, assess their significance, and communicate to the public when something truly matters.
Instead, the public should treat nuclear awareness much like checking the weather. Most of the time, you do not think about it. But when clouds gather, or the forecast warns of a storm, you take notice. You prepare. You change your plans. That is the correct balance — not obsession, but not ignorance either.
In practice, this means following updates periodically, especially during moments of crisis: when nuclear-armed powers exchange threats, when conflicts escalate, or when unusual activity is reported. These are the moments when awareness becomes vital, and when informed voices help separate fact from rumour.
The Cost of Ignoring the Issue
One of the greatest dangers in modern society is the tendency to assume that nuclear weapons are a Cold War relic, irrelevant to present life. Yet history has shown repeatedly that ignoring potential threats does not make them vanish. Indeed, it makes societies more vulnerable. Populations that are uninformed are easier to panic, easier to mislead, and less able to respond rationally in moments of crisis.
Awareness equips people with perspective. It allows them to understand when the danger is low and when it is rising. It reduces the risk of panic and helps prevent dangerous overreactions to rumours or disinformation.
You do not need to live in constant fear of nuclear war. But ignoring it completely is unwise. Awareness without obsession is the key.
At the DEFCON Warning System, we keep watch so you do not have to. Our role is to track the storm clouds on the horizon. Your role is simply to be aware of when those clouds begin to gather. In this way, societies can live their normal lives without fear, while still remaining prepared for the dangers that do, unfortunately, remain in the world.
