"People are less conscious of the dangers of the nuclear bomb now than they were ten years ago," he said. "They have adjusted and are learning to live with it-perhaps a dubious achievement. People still perceive the threat of something, of the possibility of nuclear annihilation, but on a less conscious level: a preconscious or unconscious level."

Lifton does point to one "encouraging sign." He says that younger scientists, since the "Research Stoppage Day" of March 4, 1969, "are going through real self-examination for the first time, by examining the uses to which science is put. . . They can't help but be exposed to some questions they wouldn't have been exposed to even two years ago."

Yet, while he has "great hope" for this development, he feels that scientists can provide only a "small proportion" of the impact needed to reverse American nuclear policy.

Could Still Happen

For the twenty-fifth anniversary of Hiroshima's destruction, Lifton has worked with some peace groups to sponsor commemorative activities throughout America.

"This anniversary," he said, "is no more than a kind of reminder of something that happened in the past and could still happen if we lack the imagination and dedication to prevent it from recurring."

Lifton was Research Associate in psychology at Harvard from 1956 to 1961, and was, at that time, also affiliated with the Center for East Asian Studies here.