Doomsday clock

[Mid]

Doomsday clock ticks closer to midnight



The Doomsday Clock shows 11.55.
[AFP: Saul Loeb]

International scientists have moved the so-called Doomsday clock one minute closer to midnight.

They did so because of global uncertainty over how to deal with the threat of nuclear weapons, and the problems associated with climate change.

"It is now five minutes to midnight," said Allison Macfarlane, chair of the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists (BAS), which created the clock in 1947 as a barometer of how close the world is to an apocalyptic end.

The last decision by the group, which includes a host of Nobel Prize-winning scientists, moved the clock a minute further away from midnight in 2010 on hopes of global nuclear cooperation and the election of US president Barack Obama.

However, the latest decision pushes the clock back to the time it was at in 2007.

Increasing nuclear tensions, refusal to engage in global action on climate change, and a growing tendency to reject science when it comes to major world concerns were cited as key reasons for the latest tick on the clock.

"It is clear the change that appeared to be happening at the time is not happening, not materialising," co-chair Lawrence Krauss said.

"Faced today with the clear and present dangers of nuclear proliferation, climate change, and the continued challenge to find new and sustainable and safe sources of energy, business as usual reigns the norm among world leaders."

The clock reached its most perilous point in 1953, at two minutes to midnight, after the United States and the Soviet Union tested thermonuclear devices within nine months of one another.

It was a far-flung 17 minutes to midnight in 1991 after the two signed the long-stalled Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) and announced further unilateral cuts in tactical and strategic nuclear weapons.

'Worrisome trend'

Robert Socolow, a member of the BAS science and security board and professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Princeton University, said a common theme emerged in the scientists' talks this year.

He cited a "worrisome trend, notably in the US but in many other countries, to reject or diminish the significance of what science says is the characteristic of a problem".

But the group said it was heartened by a series of world protest movements - including the Arab spring, the global Occupy demonstrations and protests in Russia - which show people are seeking a greater say in their future.

With plenty of uncertainty in the nuclear realm, even a renewed START deal between Russia and the US has not achieved the progress scientists would like, BAS board member Jayantha Dhanapala said.

"At a time when there are going to be elections in the US, in Russia, in France, and a change of leadership in China, there is some uncertainty therefore about the nuclear weapons programs of these countries and the policies the new leadership will follow," said Dr Dhanapala, a former UN under-secretary general for disarmament affairs.

"The world still has approximately over 20,000 deployed nuclear weapons with enough power to destroy the world's inhabitants several times over."

abcasiapacificnews.com

[withnallstoke]

The last decision by the group, which includes a host of Nobel Prize-winning scientists

You'd think that between them they could come up with an automatic clock movement.

[Hampsha]

That clock has been broken for decades.

[Carrabow]

I want a 48 hour notice so I can party. After that who cares

[harrybarracuda]

I was wondering when they were going to get around to it.

[aging one]

So at this rate our kids have no future. I for one hate "scientists, and soothsayers" who put out this stuff. Too many fcking people is the problem. Now India and China have more than a billion people each. I can remember waiting and waiting for the world to hit 3 billion. Hell I remember Disneyland without standing in line.

[Mid]

Infinite Growth in a Finite World ,

yep , that's going to work

[aging one]

I see now why that smiley is named Mid. Very apropos my friend.

[Stinky]

I shouldn't worry too much, when the clock does hits midnight it'll just be another day and they'll realise that their clock has been fucked all this time

[dirtydog]

Infinite Growth in a Finite World , yep , that's going to work

No reason why it can't, I have this great idea for food supplies, I shall call it Soylent Green

[harrybarracuda]

Infinite Growth in a Finite World , yep , that's going to work

No reason why it can't, I have this great idea for food supplies, I shall call it Soylent Green

Carousel!

[Hampsha]

Logans Run? No one lives past 30?

[Breny]

Do you think that the clock has the same sound to it like the one like Countdown ( uk tv show ), Now that would be funny, until it went de de de de dong ( the end )

[Hampsha]

I bet that clock actually is for the arrival of the Alien mothership.

[bigtopskinnylegs]

THE END IS NIGH REPENT YEE SINNERS

[Smug Farang Bore]

Could be worse. .

Could be raining. .

[nigelandjan]

Well at least I have had 3 fantastic years !

[bangkokbonecollector]

We will find a way to adapt. We will have colonized Mars and space within 50 - 100 years and will be mining astroids. A lot of the talk about running out of things is mostly hype and just scientists trying to get more funding for whatever they want to do. If they say that there is nothing to worry about then governments and universities will not fund them to innovate. Anyhows a good scare is how we keep on moving forward.

There is so much money in venture capital now, that we will always being pushing the boundries of innovation. Smaller, thinner, cheaper whatever will always make more money for the investers who fund the projects and who doesn't like making money. Well thats how I see it anyway.

Have I gone off topic yet ?

[nigelandjan]

Have I gone off topic yet ?

You'll soon know if and when the sanctions arrive

[palexxxx]

Have I gone off topic yet ?

You'll soon know if and when the sanctions arrive

'The Sanctions'? are they like the hari krishnas? or more like the Spanish Inquisition?

[Smug Farang Bore]

Who made the thing?

Timex or Rolex?

[withnallstoke]

^ It seems quite flexible.
My money's on Spandex.