DOOMSDAY CLOCK
Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 9:45 pm
There, Now that I have your attention.
In 1945 such a concept was considered and in 1947 a newsletter started circulating amongst nuclear physicists. It grew into a group of people interested in sharing information about how dangerous the world was becoming. The idea of "minutes to midnight" caught on and has been used ever since. Now of course the worry has expanded to other things but one must not forget the original worry. I read on a related forum that every nuclear missile ever aimed at the United States is still aimed at that target. Which could possibily be entirely true. Then we have the suitcase on a mule, and who knows where that might be aimed.
Since Dr. Brown was concerned about this clock. (I can vouch for that personally) I thought I would introduce it into the conversation. In 1947 the people involved set the clock for seven minutes to midnight in 1947.
Anybody know what it is today?
And how many times it has changed? ( Sometimes getting as far away as 17 minutes to midnight, I think, when the Soviet Union Collapsed) What were other changes that set it backward? What might be done now?
I just thought that it was important to get into the mindset of the late forties and the Doomsday Clock said it all. twigsnapper
In 1945 such a concept was considered and in 1947 a newsletter started circulating amongst nuclear physicists. It grew into a group of people interested in sharing information about how dangerous the world was becoming. The idea of "minutes to midnight" caught on and has been used ever since. Now of course the worry has expanded to other things but one must not forget the original worry. I read on a related forum that every nuclear missile ever aimed at the United States is still aimed at that target. Which could possibily be entirely true. Then we have the suitcase on a mule, and who knows where that might be aimed.
Since Dr. Brown was concerned about this clock. (I can vouch for that personally) I thought I would introduce it into the conversation. In 1947 the people involved set the clock for seven minutes to midnight in 1947.
Anybody know what it is today?
And how many times it has changed? ( Sometimes getting as far away as 17 minutes to midnight, I think, when the Soviet Union Collapsed) What were other changes that set it backward? What might be done now?
I just thought that it was important to get into the mindset of the late forties and the Doomsday Clock said it all. twigsnapper