• newmou [he/him]@hexbear.net
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    80
    ·
    2 days ago

    The Doomsday Clock seems like it has evolved into a weird, arbitrary floating reference for The Ambiguous Anxiety, lost of the context it was born from, resurfacing every now and again completely without influence, yet speaking with the authority of a deliberately unnamed global majority regardless, and each time as more of an estranged artifact in purpose, ritual, and name than before. A fabric from a totally different social weave, but presenting itself as the eternal binding thread at the heart of our fruitless society

    • Wheaties [she/her]@hexbear.net
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      55
      ·
      edit-2
      2 days ago

      it really does feel strange to see it in the news rather than in an archive or a history book

      It made sense in a world where MAD was still a new concept, international standards for nuclear stuff was still being ironed out, and the cold war was at its most intense. But today? If you want a barometer for existential crisis, look at the change in average °C

    • Adkml [he/him]@hexbear.net
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      15
      ·
      2 days ago

      Seriously the best explanation for their calculation is “this way we can announce were closer than ever 88 more times.”

  • Parzivus [any]@hexbear.net
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    33
    ·
    2 days ago

    Infectious diseases are a constant threat to mankind, but unfortunately the collective experience with COVID-19 has increased skepticism about the recommendations of public health officials, especially the use of medical countermeasures to mitigate disease spread. Concern is also growing over the proliferation of pathogen laboratories around the world, as well as nefariously using AI in biological research and development.

    squidward-nochill

  • ReadMoreBooks@lemmy.zip
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    11
    ·
    2 days ago

    They’re dumbing it down too much.

    We’ve no context to determine our position relative a Great Filter event. “Midnight” is meaningless.

    Despite all its limitations, right now the US stock market’s VIX index is likely a better indicator of the threat level.

  • marxisthayaca [he/him,they/them]@hexbear.net
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    8
    ·
    2 days ago

    I think going “we are 89 seconds to midnight” but for the majority of the planet’s rent is still due and you gotta check in to work. I would argue this needs some recalibration.

    • birdcat
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      24
      ·
      2 days ago

      And, the US has abdicated its role as a voice of caution.

      Fascinating stuff! So when US presidents believe they live in the 90ies, US journalists start to believe they live in the 40ies? 🤔