To be a scientist is to be naive. We are so focused on our search for truth, we fail to consider how few actually want us to find it. But it is always there, whether we see it or not, whether we choose to or not. The truth doesn’t care about our needs or wants. It doesn’t care about our governments, our ideologies, our religions. It will lie in wait, for all time. And this, at last, is the gift of Chernobyl. Where I once would fear the cost of truth, now I only ask: What is the cost of lies?

Jared Harris as Valery Legasov, from the HBO mini series Chernobyl. (S1.Ep5: Vichnaya Pamyat)
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In an iconic moment at the very end of this mini series, the above quote is told to us the viewer as a way to give cinematic closure to one of the most horrific events in human life. The quote is out of context in the way I show, and truly, you must experience the entire series to really know the value of the lesson,  ideal ethos we all need to collectively aspire to.

I was a kid when I heard about Chernobyl. I barely recall my actual feelings, but I do remember the story unfolding and being scared at clouds. Back in my native Honduras, a world away, we heard the general aspects of the event thinking it would impact my little habitat. The real impact was felt among those in Europe, side effects lasting til this very own day. And the fact that it will take thousands of year to truly clean up… it just pains me to see how our short shortsightedness gets us in trouble. Since Chernobyl, the lessons were not fully learned and we continued to believe Nuclear control is safe. And then Fukushima came.

So many people sacrificed their lives to contain Chernobyl. And yet so much was done to hide the realities. And all for what? To make a party or a state happy, seem perfect and disciplined. And this mentality continues on both Communist and Democratic nations. And all for what?

I urge you to view the series to get a POV of what happen. I’m sure lots was fictionalized, lots of details  were missed and inaccuracies . But the real reason to view this is not to simply to place blame on a system (which is the root problem), but rather know when to say no and speak the truth, no matter the price. Even of the system tells you otherwise. Even if the system is completely oblivious of the facts and truths out there. Because I believe the cost of lies is far greater than that of the truth.