The New York Times’ recent article about the U.S. destroying its last declared chemical weapons was fascinating, both in words and visuals.
It describes how technicians reacted after sterilizing the final mustard shell from an arsenal of close to one million:
Nearby, a crowd of workers in coveralls with emergency gas masks slung on their hips gathered to celebrate. The plant manager blasted “The Final Countdown” on the P.A. and handed out red, white and blue Bomb Pops.
It’s a poignant and striking scene, given the horrific grandeur of the weapons being destroyed; the unceremonious process by which they are punctured, drained, and neutralized. The workers’ relief at making the world even slightly less dangerous.
Devices created to poison thousands—dismantled to ’80s music and popsicles.
This article also felt remarkable given its timing amidst rivers of new weaponry that stream around the world (again covered by the New York Times.) Even as old weapons become harmless, new ones flow in their place
I kept the sadness and celebration, hope and horror, and cyclical nature of new and old weapons in mind while recording Noise #95:
Wishing you peace,
Michael
(Noise #95 by Michael Gallant. Copyright 2023 Gallant Music LLC. All Rights Reserved.)
copacetic