Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Doomsday clock edging closer to midnight


The Doomsday Clock was set ahead two minutes reciently. "It is now five minutes to midnight," said Kennette Benedict, executive director of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. "This change reflects the global failures to solve the problems posed by nuclear weapons and by climate change."

The move is significant because the scientists who are the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists , has moved the clock only 18 times since it was set to seven minutes to midnight in 1947. The clock has been closer to midnight, two minutes away after the Eisenhower administration tested a nuclear bomb in 1953. But it is also a long way from its most optimistic setting, at 17 minutes to midnight in 1991 following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Today's change was the first since 2002.

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, named for its newsletter, was founded in 1945 by scientists who worked in the Manhattan Project and were concerned about the prospect of nuclear war. And the "Doomsday Clock" appeared as a graphic on their first newsletter and has since been adopted by the group as it's official logo.


4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yes, and perhaps recent media speculation (here in Australia at least) regarding Israel's possible intentions regarding 'tactical' nuclear attacks against Iran doesn't help...it's a very interesting situation, from a sociological / psychological / political perspecive: who decides who can have nuclear facilities and programs, and who can not, and on what basis...? At present, I can't help feeling that it is the 'haves' saying no to the 'havenots / wannabees'...an exclusive club perhaps, with membership determined on what basis???

Beam Me Up said...

To tell you the truth, I think this is a club that should have no members. I hope beyond reason that those that do belong treat them as holding the wrong end of a skunk. However with the advent of third world nations now stockpiling, that may not be the case. I will be honest, I have not heard of rumblings in the Iran/Israel front. Other than the fact that Israel has made it clear that they are not happy with the present developments concerning nuclear development in Iran. I take it that the consensus is that it has escalated beyond saber rattling?

Anonymous said...

At this point, I understand that it is unconfirmed media speculation (and perhaps a twist of exaggeration?), and I hope that it stays right there. And yes, a club that should have no members...another story?

Beam Me Up said...

Damn your quick! I was thinking there was a story in there somewhere, but I keep coming back to post nuke stories and that is wearing a bit thin...however, it is hard not to like them...Brin's The Postman is one of my favorites but then you see how mishandled it can be when people like Stephen King try their hand.