The Doomsday Clock: A Symbol of Existential Risk

• Origins: 1947: Created by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists to warn the public about nuclear risks following WWII and the start of the Cold War.
• What Midnight Means: Midnight represents global catastrophe or apocalypse. The minute hand shows how close humanity is to this point.
• Current Setting: The clock sits at 85 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been to global catastrophe.
• Key Threats Evaluated: Encompasses nuclear explosions (renewed arms races, expiring treaties), climate change (extreme weather, environmental degradation), disruptive technologies (unregulated AI, cyber threats), and biological threats (pandemics, misuse of biotechnology).
• Purpose and Impact: Serves as a call to action to world leaders and citizens, driving global dialogue on addressing existential risks before time runs out.