The Ground Zero Room
Experiencing the power of Science
The Steel reinforced doors were slamming shut but I was able to squeeze between them before their inevitable metal thud.
The room was pitch black. My eyes slowly adjusted but I couldn't make out the neon green exit sign above me. I turned back to leave but nothing budged.
The doors were locked.
Take your seat the countdown will begin
An announcer’s voice echoed in the room. I threw my arms out feeling for anything.
10
I found the wall and followed it down
9
Railings! My arms curled around it like an octopus grabbing a jar.
8
I followed the railings down carpeted steps.
7
My foot hit a metal pole. I felt around and found a wooden bench. I sat down.
6
My eyes were still adjusting but I could make out other wooden benches ahead of me. They were arranged in a stadium style.
5
I looked around the room.
4
I'm the only one here.
3
“Wait, why is there a countdown?” I thought. I looked around. I grabbed my phone. No bars.
2
The room is dark. It's just me on a wooden bench. Alone
1
And no one knows I'm here.
0
A bright flash fills the room. I had to look away. Through my eyelids, I could still make out the light.
The lights dimmed a bit and I opened them slightly and saw it.
A distant mushroom cloud rises past the stars. The orange inferno coloring my vision. The explosion was so large and encompassing I didn't notice the incoming shockwave.
Shockwave incoming. Please keep breathing
Before I could register, a blast of wind and sound and bombarded my ears like mortar shells. I cupped my ears and closed my eyes.
It went on for 10 more seconds before it subsided.
Then silence.
An old school projector whirs up and clicks through the aftermath of nuclear testing. What follows was a short 15 min documentary of the impact of the atomic bomb, nuclear testing, and the scientists and people who witnessed it.
But one thought stayed in my mind through the documentary:
“No amount of nuclear physics could match experiencing the actual atomic bomb blast.”
After the documentary, the steel reinforced doors opened.
Knees shaking and mind racing, I left the room thinking “I always believed science is best taught through experience rather than theory. Now I know I'm right.”
I caught a sign above the steel reinforced doors.
“The Ground Zero Room”
“Note to self”, I thought, “read signs before you enter the room.”
This is from my trip to the Atomic Energy Museum in Las Vegas. Well worth the $30 of admission