Annie Jacobsen

It reminds me of the hypocrisy I feel and think about behind smoking.

Like I live in Los Angeles and in the city of Beverly Hills, you cannot smoke anywhere.

Like you will get a ticket if you smoke outside.

And I don't smoke, but to the point, you know, all you have to do is like research about, you think about creating the whole smoker's world.

You see those old ads from the 50s and 60s where the doctor, the OBGYN is smoking while they're visiting with the pregnant woman and encouraging her to smoke because it will make her relax.

Asthma cigarettes?

They did not.

They did not.

It's ubiquitous.

When I was researching the nuclear war book, I came across a quote from General Groves.

Remember him from the Oppenheimer film?

The Matt Damon character?

He was at a commission.

This is like a year after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

And he was asked about radiation.

And he said, quote, radiation is a very pleasant way to die.

That's what he told Congress.

And so it's everywhere with officials until— Safe and effective.

It's a pleasant way to die.

Okay, here's the dystopian version of that that I just heard about recently on your access of language, where you said we're all going to be speaking the same language.