Doomsday Clock Made By Atomic Scientists
Something Cool I Researched
You may have heard of other Doomsday Clocks; Conspiracy theories about different clocks as well as doomsday predictions. This Doomsday Clock isn’t just some conspiracy theory and is very interesting. If you look up this clock on the internet, you will likely see it set for 100 seconds to midnight. Let me break down what this means. Midnight is the hypothetical end of the world, nuclear war, climate change, or whatever may end humanity as we know it. The hundred seconds is a metaphor for how close we are. It isn’t a measurement of time, more of how large a mistake needs to be made for it all to go wrong.
This measurement is based on a whole range of issues. Things like the reckless language of world leaders. To growing threats of climate change. Treaties expiring, weapons being amassed, treaties being signed, weapons being disbanded. All of these things and more contribute to the calculation of the clock.
History of The Doomsday Clock and Atomic Scientists.
Let’s identify the Atomic Scientists. They were a group of scientists from the University of Chicago. These scientists had worked on the Manhattan Project together. The Manhattan Project was the project to build the first Atomic Bomb. Many of the project’s scientists had misgivings, and they wanted to portray the danger these weapons pose. So they created the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.
This Bulletin would be responsible for changing the time on the clock. An artist and bulletin member Martyl Langsdorf designed the minimalist clock cover. Saying it portrayed the existential threats on humanity. Thus the clock was born as a happy accident.
The clock has fluctuated heavily over the years. These past two years haven’t been too good. So it is easy to understand why we are at 100 seconds to midnight. But there was a time when we were 17 minutes away from midnight. The year was 1991, the world was entering a new era. The Cold War and Nuclear arms race had ended. The world was entering an era of peace that hasn’t been experienced in a long time. The clock moved seven minutes in a single movement.The most ever in history. That is just the tip of the iceberg, here is their full statement about the movement. I am not going to go through the 100 seconds to midnight for 2020 since we all lived through it. But if you are interested, you can read it here.
Why is The Clock Important?
The clock is a representation of the world at the moment. Their research and dedication give us a look at our present and what it may mean for the future. The variables for the clock are worldwide issues that affect everyone. That is why we should care. At 100 seconds till midnight, our future looks grim. If we don’t make some big changes the world will be unable to save. Making this one of the most relevant pieces of information we have about the world. If we should care and it is relevant that makes it important.
For more information about the clock look here.
I am going to attempt to publish an article every Monday and Friday. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed it.
