Reducing nuclear risk is serious work, so humor may seem like an odd strategy for getting people interested. But permission to laugh might be exactly the invitation people need to feel welcome in the nuclear conversation. The Atomic Comic Roadblock, another idea that emerged from the NSquare Innovators Network,ico-opts a commemorative date on the nuclear calendar (like 7/16, the anniversary of the Trinity Test, or 1/29, the release of Dr. Strangelove) in the name of humor, with everyone in the comedic world contributing to the uproar: late night show hosts, editorial cartoonists, vloggers and even meme creators. Through comedy, satire, comics and cartoons, we all learn to get comfortable with the uncomfortable, ultimately creating room in the nuclear dialogue for new thinkers, actors and innovators.

1. Engage audiences by combining education, shock and humor, like John Oliver’s in-depth explorations of nuclear waste and nuclear weapons in America.
2. In 2014, comedians rallied for the documentary Stand Up Planet in which they brought light to serious global issues like poverty to increase interest.

Image credit: HBO