The End Is Near: Symbolic 'Doomsday Clock' Is Now Closest To Midnight In History

The clock is ticking! The hands of the symbolic Doomsday Clock are now closer to midnight than ever before, suggesting that humanity is in "unprecedented danger." The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists - a non-profit organisation of scientists and experts - said that the chances of a human-caused apocalypse are higher than ever before.

To this end, scientists moved the hands of the Doomsday Clock 10 seconds forward - to 90 seconds to midnight. This change was made in response to threats like nuclear weapons, climate change, and pandemics caused by infectious diseases like Covid-19.

Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists/CNN

Why humanity needs to buckle up

The Doomsday Clock is now closer to doom than ever before in its 75-year-old history. "We are living in a time of unprecedented danger, and the Doomsday Clock time reflects that reality," said Rachel Bronson, president and CEO of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists in a statement.

When the Doomsday Clock was set up, the rationale was to assess the proximity of potentially catastrophic events. Its goal is not to function as a real clock to predict fatal events, but to serve as a reminder to politicians and the public alike.

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When the clock was unveiled in 1947, it was set at 7 minutes to midnight. Here, midnight represents the apocalypse. As NBC News reported, the Doomsday Clock was set at 2 minutes to midnight during the Cold War.

Also read: This Asteroid Impact Simulator Lets You Orchestrate The Apocalypse

In 2020, the Doomsday Clock was set at 100 seconds to midnight, marking the first time it slipped into the two-minute mark. For the two years to follow, nothing changed, until now.

To be fair - the world is in peril! Climate disasters are affecting the entire world and leaders are simply not taking the threat more seriously. In addition, the pandemic hasn't helped. Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine has also set the stage for the route of politics to come.

Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

The modernisation of nuclear arsenals on the part of United States, Russia, and China also serves as a reminder of the threat such weapons pose to humanity.

Also read: Elon Musk Predicts The End Of Mankind, Says An Apocalypse Is Close

Bulletin scientists warned that climate changes need to be addressed more proactively, while adding that countries should also work extra hard to ensure that another pandemic doesn't take place.

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Each year since 1945, the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists has met to assess the world's most pressing threats in order to set the hands of the Doomsday Clock.

What do you think - is humanity on the precipice of doomsday? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below. For more in the world of technology and science, keep reading Indiatimes.com.