The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, which is the group that sets the time of the clock, introduced it back in 1947 to predict the chance of annihilation from a range of threats
The Doomsday Clock, which is set annually show symbolise how near humanity is to a total apocalypse has been moved one second forward to 89 seconds to midnight – the closest it has ever been.
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, which is the group that sets the time of the Doomsday clock, introduced it back in 1947 to predict the chance of annihilation from a range of threats.
The clock has remained at 90 seconds for the last two years, however with issues such as nuclear threat, conflict in the Middle East and climate change, it has been moved forward by 60 seconds.
Daniel Holz, chair of the Bulletin’s Science and Security Board, called the latest move “a warning to all world leaders”.
In statement on Tuesday (January 28), the BAS – a Chicago-based non-profit organisation – said: “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.”
The continuing war in Ukraine is now nearing the three-year mark and “could become nuclear at any moment because of a rash decision or through accident or miscalculation”, according to the statement.
It also added: “Conflict in the Middle East threatens to spiral out of control into a wider war without warning.”
The clock was originally placed at seven minutes to midnight in 1947. In 2018, amid due to global tensions, scientists moved it back to two minutes to midnight, and it has been creeping closer to the time since.
Despite some people understandably worried about the news, others have slammed the clock as a “fear tactic” for the public.
On the r/climate forum, one person wrote: “I really hate the doomsday clock. It feels like just a fear tactic for the public. We all know things are sh***y and we all know the powers that be are screwing it all for the rest of us. There’s no need to instil more fear on top of that.”
Another added: “It’s total bulls**t, it’s not based on anything measurable and the start at 7min before midnight was just a random guess. Extremely stupid and unhelpful.”
A third chimed in: “It was 420 seconds to midnight during the Cuban Missile Crisis – near universally recognised as less than 24 hours away from blowing the whole world up. So for it to be 89 seconds today – it’s losing its meaning. Perhaps we need multiple clocks to measure multiple threats to society today so we can focus and not just suffer fear-paralysis.”
On TikTok, people were sceptical too. One person wrote: “They just want you to be afraid at all times.” While someone else asked: “Who actually believes this?”
While a third joked: “Can’t trust that clock. 3/4 of it is missing. Must of got it from Temu.”
However, some argued back, as one person pointed out: “Everyone in the comments doesn’t understand that these are scientists. They look at nearly every aspect of the world and civilisation we live in and analyse changes.”
Another added: “People not listening and just cracking jokes reminds me so much of the movie Don’t Look Up. They never listen until it’s too late.”