The Clock that Shan't Strike 12

Two days ago, the Science and Security Board of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists shifted the Doomsday clock 4 seconds closer to midnight—from 89 seconds, down to 85. This is no simple clock, but a warning to each and every one of us, and it couldn't be clearer than ever:

ACT NOW.

Every second we waste not trying to make amends with global threats is a little more push towards the point of no return. Where no global power can make a U-turn back to safety.

The Doomsday clock started off as a metaphorical, arbitrary clock during the height of nuclear weapons development. It meant that every negative development and every negative policy in this field of war is a moment closer to the destruction of humanity. The clock has shifted to and fro with each new development and treaty signed. But over its lifetime, the scientists have factored in additional crises that may very well lead to the end of peace, and human life, in turn.

"But why believe? It is arbitrary, after all." The human race has inched towards MAD (or Mutual Assured Destruction) when global politics were at an all-time low. One wrong move and it could have been game over.

As technologies evolved, however, we moved away from a quick fire to a slow roast in the stove. Climate change has shifted the way of life for all of us. And soon enough, we'll reach the point where no effort will reverse the damage we have inflicted onto Earth. Hotter and hotter summers, bundled with stronger storms and harsher winters.

Science denial is at an all-time high—subscribing to traditionalist viewpoints and exploitative nutrition and health fads because 'they want you to get sick'. It's where the globe is flat, and dung-flavored cow milk is the norm. And where vaccines have microchips, and red dye is giving your kids genetic disorders that can't be inherited after birth. Oh, and the globe isn't burning. Oh, and the polar bears love the melting ice.

Global politics have morphed into something darker. In a few days, a nuclear treaty will expire with nothing to replace it. In a world where Ukraine is still at war with a country with a powerful arsenal. In a world where an orange guy wants all the toys to himself, in any way possible.

Government orders have increasingly been at the helm of profit too. Reduced oversight in environmentally destructive activities. Datacenters built left and right.

No safeguards. No policy to take its place. What assurance will there be, if the ones we voted for public service, votes against the safety of the public.

Emerging technology too is at a state where no two people see the same thing. No two people see the same facts. Everything is optimized to elicit a reaction from you. Everything can be manufactured in a single sentence. Everything can be manipulated in one short click. They don't care if they have to sip every river to cool the cloud, or if they have to slurp every watt from the grid to power essay-generating cabinets of computers. The big ones do not bother with such issues, as long as they profit and the overlords are happy. After all, no facts = no awareness.

The Doomsday clock is not a ticking bomb. It is not a clock that will set off in 85 real-world seconds. But it is a warning.

ACT NOW.

Or say goodbye to the blue orb we call Earth.