ABSTRACT:

HBO's 2019 miniseries Chernobyl has catapulted the world's worst nuclear disaster back into public awareness with stunning cinematography and captivating dramaturgy. For historians of technology, however, its portrayal of Soviet reactor technology, as well as its baffling omission of the disaster mitigation's most successful feat—the construction of a gigantic concrete entombment—present challenges beyond simple claims to authenticity. Are historians doomed to "abandon even the hope of truth and content ourselves instead with stories?" This essay suggests that even inaccurate storytelling can generate genuine passion, and historians can utilize this passion to nurture curiosity and help our students to seek better answers.

摘要：

HBO的2019迷你剧《切尔诺贝利》以令人惊叹的摄影作品和引人入胜的戏剧性，将世界上最严重的核灾难迅速带回了公众的视野。但是，对于技术史学家而言，其对苏联反应堆技术的刻画，以及对减灾最成功的壮举-巨大的混凝土掩埋结构的莫名其妙的遗漏-所带来的挑战不仅仅是对真实性的简单要求。历史学家是否注定要“放弃对真理的希望，而对故事感到满足而不是对自己满意？” 本文认为，即使是不正确的讲故事也会产生真正的热情，历史学家也可以利用这种热情来激发好奇心，并帮助我们的学生寻求更好的答案。