2025 Doomsday Clock Statement issued

spectratg

spectratg

Senior Member
Location
Adamstown, MD
Science and Security Board
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

Closer than ever: It is now 89 seconds to midnight

In 2024, humanity edged ever closer to catastrophe. Trends that have deeply concerned the Science and Security Board continued, and despite unmistakable signs of danger, national leaders and their societies have failed to do what is needed to change course. Consequently, we now move the Doomsday Clock from 90 seconds to 89 seconds to midnight—the closest it has ever been to catastrophe. Our fervent hope is that leaders will recognize the world’s existential predicament and take bold action to reduce the threats posed by nuclear weapons, climate change, and the potential misuse of biological science and a variety of emerging technologies.

In setting the Clock one second closer to midnight, we send a stark signal: Because the world is already perilously close to the precipice, a move of even a single second should be taken as an indication of extreme danger and an unmistakable warning that every second of delay in reversing course increases the probability of global disaster.
 

spectratg said:
Maybe this is too serious of a topic for Senior Forums? I'm just worried about the future for my grandchildren and future generations. Does anyone else share my concerns? Or should we be optimistic about the future of humanity?
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We can't do anything about it when the only thing that matters is money. Russia's invasion of Ukraine was (IMO) all about stealing their natural resources. The U.S. wants to clear Palestinians out of Gaza and build a giant resort on the Mediterranean. China is extracting natural resources from Africa without benefitting the host countries. Actually, they're saddling them with tremendous debt.

From the article in the OP...
Blindly continuing on the current path is a form of madness. The United States, China, and Russia have the collective power to destroy civilization. These three countries have the prime responsibility to pull the world back from the brink, and they can do so if their leaders seriously commence good-faith discussions about the global threats outlined here. Despite their profound disagreements, they should take that first step without delay. The world depends on immediate action.​

The world depends on the U.S., Russia, and China to do the right thing. Okay... and I have some oceanfront property here in Colorado for sale.
 
HermitHogan said:
We can't do anything about it when the only thing that matters is money. Russia's invasion of Ukraine was (IMO) all about stealing their natural resources. The U.S. wants to clear Palestinians out of Gaza and build a giant resort on the Mediterranean. China is extracting natural resources from Africa without benefitting the host countries. Actually, they're saddling them with tremendous debt.

From the article in the OP...
Blindly continuing on the current path is a form of madness. The United States, China, and Russia have the collective power to destroy civilization. These three countries have the prime responsibility to pull the world back from the brink, and they can do so if their leaders seriously commence good-faith discussions about the global threats outlined here. Despite their profound disagreements, they should take that first step without delay. The world depends on immediate action.​

The world depends on the U.S., Russia, and China to do the right thing. Okay... and I have some oceanfront property here in Colorado for sale.
Click to expand...
You don't get to this age without hearing multiple times throughout the years that the world is about to end. I have always laughed. This is the first time I think they may be right. At the very least, the world "as we know it" is ending.
 
When I was in grade school,1950 to 1959, the only known threat to the continued existence of humanity was the nuclear bomb. We children hid under those magnificent school desks that would shield us from the effects of nuclear fallout! Some families (none that I knew) built bomb shelters.

Now my grandchildren (ages 2 to 15) are still faced with the threat of nuclear annihilation, but also with climate change, biological weapons, and the possibility of AI run amok. I wish I could envision a bright future for them, but alas I am afraid for them.
 
spectratg said:
Now my grandchildren (ages 2 to 15) are still faced with the threat of nuclear annihilation, but also with climate change, biological weapons, and the possibility of AI run amok. I wish I could envision a bright future for them, but alas I am afraid for them.
Click to expand...
I feel the same. I think we've lived through the "best of times", but I'm not optimistic about the world our grandkids, and beyond, will be faced with. AI and robotics will take away more and more jobs, while the global populations continue to increase. I can see the day when half of the people are barely getting by.
 
Don M. said:
I feel the same. I think we've lived through the "best of times", but I'm not optimistic about the world our grandkids, and beyond, will be faced with. AI and robotics will take away more and more jobs, while the global populations continue to increase. I can see the day when half of the people are barely getting by.
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I’m afraid that we are already there.

“Nearly 3 in 4 Americans (73 percent) are saving less for emergency expenses due to inflation/rising prices, elevated interest rates or a change in income or employment. This percentage is up from 68 percent in 2024.”

Bankrate's 2025 Emergency Savings Report | Bankrate
 
spectratg said:
When I was in grade school,1950 to 1959, the only known threat to the continued existence of humanity was the nuclear bomb. We children hid under those magnificent school desks that would shield us from the effects of nuclear fallout! Some families (none that I knew) built bomb shelters.

Now my grandchildren (ages 2 to 15) are still faced with the threat of nuclear annihilation, but also with climate change, biological weapons, and the possibility of AI run amok. I wish I could envision a bright future for them, but alas I am afraid for them.
Click to expand...
Sadly, they also face the possibility of being shot in school ! That's something we never had to worry about back then. If it wasn't so ridiculous, the hiding under the desk to escape nuclear fallout would be funny. And IMO, your topic shouldn't be considered too serious for this forum.
 
HermitHogan said:
We can't do anything about it when the only thing that matters is money. Russia's invasion of Ukraine was (IMO) all about stealing their natural resources. The U.S. wants to clear Palestinians out of Gaza and build a giant resort on the Mediterranean. China is extracting natural resources from Africa without benefitting the host countries. Actually, they're saddling them with tremendous debt.

From the article in the OP...
Blindly continuing on the current path is a form of madness. The United States, China, and Russia have the collective power to destroy civilization. These three countries have the prime responsibility to pull the world back from the brink, and they can do so if their leaders seriously commence good-faith discussions about the global threats outlined here. Despite their profound disagreements, they should take that first step without delay. The world depends on immediate action.​

The world depends on the U.S., Russia, and China to do the right thing. Okay... and I have some oceanfront property here in Colorado for sale.
Click to expand...
That'a not going to happen.
 
I thought that no one on this planet earth really knows what we are living for - it's still a mystery??
 
HermitHogan said:
We can't do anything about it when the only thing that matters is money. Russia's invasion of Ukraine was (IMO) all about stealing their natural resources. The U.S. wants to clear Palestinians out of Gaza and build a giant resort on the Mediterranean. China is extracting natural resources from Africa without benefitting the host countries. Actually, they're saddling them with tremendous debt.

From the article in the OP...
Blindly continuing on the current path is a form of madness. The United States, China, and Russia have the collective power to destroy civilization. These three countries have the prime responsibility to pull the world back from the brink, and they can do so if their leaders seriously commence good-faith discussions about the global threats outlined here. Despite their profound disagreements, they should take that first step without delay. The world depends on immediate action.​

The world depends on the U.S., Russia, and China to do the right thing. Okay... and I have some oceanfront property here in Colorado for sale.
Click to expand...
That'a not going to happen.
Joey said:
I thought that no one on this planet earth really knows what we are living for - it's still a mystery??
Click to expand...
We may not know what "We" are living for but we as individuals should really think about that.
 
doomday-clock.png
 
spectratg said:
Science and Security Board
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

Closer than ever: It is now 89 seconds to midnight

In 2024, humanity edged ever closer to catastrophe. Trends that have deeply concerned the Science and Security Board continued, and despite unmistakable signs of danger, national leaders and their societies have failed to do what is needed to change course. Consequently, we now move the Doomsday Clock from 90 seconds to 89 seconds to midnight—the closest it has ever been to catastrophe. Our fervent hope is that leaders will recognize the world’s existential predicament and take bold action to reduce the threats posed by nuclear weapons, climate change, and the potential misuse of biological science and a variety of emerging technologies.

In setting the Clock one second closer to midnight, we send a stark signal: Because the world is already perilously close to the precipice, a move of even a single second should be taken as an indication of extreme danger and an unmistakable warning that every second of delay in reversing course increases the probability of global disaster.
Click to expand...
dunna worry - God will intervene!!
 
spectratg said:
Maybe this is too serious of a topic for Senior Forums? I'm just worried about the future for my grandchildren and future generations. Does anyone else share my concerns? Or should we be optimistic about the future of humanity?
Click to expand...
I find it comical. The damn clock has been set close to midnight for as long as I can remember. I'm no more optimistic or pessimistic about the future of humanity than I was 40 years ago. Or 30 years ago. Or 10 years ago.
 
Joey said:
dunna worry - God will intervene!!
Click to expand...
Oh please give me a break. Humanity has predicted the coming of God since forever. History is replete with examples of the "coming of God" gone wrong. Our animal species has created the mess that we live in and only we can fix it, but alas I am not optimistic.
 

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