A social problem? Doomsday Clock? Importance? AI?

1. 75

   tsmogposted 5 months ago

   The Doomsday Clock is how close humanity is to self-destruction or extinction. It was created and is set by the The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists' Science and Security Board. It originated the year 1947 when the Doomsday Clock was set at 7 minutes to midnight the time catastrophe for humanity occurs. Founders were Albert Einstein, J. Robert Oppenheimer, and University of Chicago scientists who helped develop the first atomic weapons in the Manhattan Project.
   
   It was moved to 89 seconds before midnight on January 28, 2025.
   
   
   
   The significant areas monitored/measured are:
   
   ** Nuclear weapons: The number and types of nuclear weapons in the world
   ** Climate change: The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the rate of sea level rise, and the acidity of the oceans
   ** Biological threats: The potential for accidental or deliberate misuse of biology
   ** Disruptive technologies: The potential risks of artificial intelligence
   ** Global instability: The failure of international institutions to respond to existential risk
   
   Take a peek to be informed at . . .
   
   Closer than ever: It is now 89 seconds to midnight by Science and Security Board / Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (Jan 28, 2025)
   2025 Doomsday Clock Statement
   https://thebulletin.org/doomsday-clock/2025-statement/
   
   The significant areas the article summarizes are nuclear risk, climate change, the biological arena, and AI for disruptive technologies . AI begins with the 4th paragraph of summaries for the significant areas and is two full paragraphs. The other three are one paragraph each. Thus, reasoning suggests AI is the most significant, however it may be arguable.
   
   A deep dive into the effects of AI with the Doomsday Clock . . . just a slight but significant touch
   
   In Depth: Disruptive Technologies by the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists (Jan 28, 2025)
   https://thebulletin.org/doomsday-clock/ … hnologies/
   
   How does it relate to being a social problem? The announcement of the change of the clock was met with satirical and/or dark humor spreading like a wildfire on social media. The explanation for that behavior is said to be a result of latent fear and the reaction is a means for coping.
   
   What about others?
   
   
   
   Take a peek at the YouGov polling for . . .
   
   AI doomsday worries many Americans. So does apocalypse from climate change, nukes, war, and more by YouGov
   https://today.yougov.com/technology/art … anity-poll
   
   Nearly half of Americans are very or somewhat concerned about the possibility that artificial intelligence, or AI, will cause the end of the human race on Earth, according to new YouGov polling. That means AI is perceived as a major threat to humanity — though the poll also finds that at least four other potential causes of extinction are at least somewhat of a concern among even more Americans.
   
   With the above poll/article see 8 graphics for polling along with written summaries/assessments.
   
   The Doomsday Clock significantly impacts society by serving as a powerful symbolic warning, raising global awareness about existential threats like nuclear war, climate change, and emerging technologies, prompting public discourse and putting pressure on political leaders to take action towards mitigating these risks; essentially acting as a "canary in the coal mine" to alert people to the urgency of addressing critical issues facing humanity.
   
   According to a recent study published in the medical journal The Lancet, 57% of 16 to 25-year-olds in the US are “very or extremely worried” about climate change. Another recent study found that young people are the least likely to believe that nuclear deterrence is a “very effective” strategy in comparison to older generations. They also are most likely to believe that nuclear weapons make America “less safe.”
   
   ** Have you heard of the Doomsday Clock?
   ** What do you think about it - Realistic and should be considered or bull pucky?
   ** Based on historical events and the ever present change undergone by humanity since 1945 does the proportional measure of 7 minutes and 89 seconds before midnight seem to make sense?
   ** Should governments consider its implications for guidance? Or, do you think they already do? If so, is being used nefariously or for good?
   ** Do you think Trump and his policies affected the Doomsday Clock?
   
   Thoughts, criticisms, accolades, and/or commentary?
   
   If concerned or interested in AI related to the world and US as a nation bookmark the following web landing page at the Bulletin of Atomic Scientist website. Take a peek with a skim. See their Memo to Trump articles.
   
   Disruptive Technologies
   Disruptive Technologies
   https://thebulletin.org/disruptive-technologies/

   replyreport