We’re running out of time. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Seconds slip away

In late January, following the usual global anticipation, the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists announced the Doomsday Clock was moved closer to midnight by a mere four seconds, from 89 to 85 seconds. For some (including me) it was a surprise, barely a tweak when bold action was merited. What were the global experts who comprise the Science and Security Board (SASB), the group responsible for setting the Doomsday Clock, thinking when they re-set the clock so minimally? Did the SASB commit an error?

Given the pace of decline in quality of life around the globe, and threats buoyed by the continued expansion of dangerous accelerants like nuclear weapons, climate change and destructive technologies, I anticipated the Doomsday Clock would move much closer to midnight. In January, prior to the official announcement, The Weekly Opine predicted the Doomsday Clock would move to between 65 and 55 seconds until midnight.

In hindsight, it seems SASB did not fully account for the swift infiltration of life-altering artificial intelligence. AI is now in the hands of people with bad intentions, as well as people with good intentions who do not readily account for AI’s undeniable downside, e.g., stress on the electric grid, depletion of our already strained water supply and environmental hazards. SASB also apparently took too lightly the globe destructing potential of authoritarian despots.

Considering what’s transpired the past six weeks; Trump’s war in Iran spreading throughout the Middle East; Russia and China aiding Iran; NATO rejecting Trump’s pleas for help; and global economies recoiling in shock, is another Doomsday Clock adjustment warranted?

The Science and Security Board meets twice each year (with additional sub-committee meetings). Typically, the SASB sets the Doomsday Clock annually, in late-January. For the past decade, the primary factors for moving the clock’s second hand included nuclear proliferation, climate change and disruptive technology. Now, there are more high-risk factors. In addition to nukes, climate, and tech, SASB should reconsider, or add, a category that covers power hungry tyrants who believe they are unstoppable.

Start with the unpredictable, desperate, madman president of the United States, along with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russia’s Vladimir Putin. These three men, all facing mortality, have the world pointed toward an expansion of conflict beyond the new Middle East quagmire and the ongoing war on Europe’s doorstep in Ukraine. Is World War III in the offing?

It doesn’t help that Trump’s Secretary of Defense Pete Kegseth, err, I mean Hegseth, is drunk with warmonger power. Hegseth and Trump advisor Stephen Miller are U.S. Nazis with total disdain for life. Both have Trump’s ear. Meanwhile, Netanyahu and Putin tug on Trump like combatants at opposite ends of a rope. And artificial Intelligence has made technology even more dangerously disruptive. AI is showing up on the battlefield in the Middle East. As we’ve previously noted, several AI experts, including OpenAI’s Sam Altman, admit AI has the potential to destroy mankind – with or without being used in war.

Given all of this, SASB should give serious consideration to adjusting the clock before next January. For instance, re-set the clock immediately.

Until the matter is resolved, with all pedophile participants criminally prosecuted and imprisoned, the Epstein files remains the lead story. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Another important factor is that Trump likely faces prosecution when he leaves office. The Epstein files remain the lead story, despite the war in Iran attempt to distract. The Epstein files, even with redactions (and despite a Department of Justice coverup), reveal with near certainty that Trump, mentioned over one million times in the Epstein files, is a pedophile who raped teenage girls.

The real chance he’ll go to prison, coupled with quickly failing physical and mental health, makes the sociopath Trump a danger who’s capable of taking everyone down with him. It’s not fantastical to envision depraved Trump reaching for the red button. Putin, also starting to appear feeble, will do anything to regain Russia’s super-power status. If he concludes reassertion as a global super-power is out of Russia’s grasp, who’s to stop the evil, declining Putin from reaching for his red button? (Sorry to be so macabre but Trump and Putin are capable of anything.)

Another consideration for SASB comes out of left field. At the outset of Trump’s war in Iran, U.S. military superiors told their troops the war in Iran is “all part of God’s plan.” Other commanders referenced the war in Iran as a part of Christian prophecy calling for Armageddon. Let. That. Sink. In. Some United States military leadership, in a misguided interpretation of the Book of Revelation, cheer for the inexplicable, unjustifiable war in Iran. They believe the war will engulf the Middle East and hasten the return of Jesus.

Frankly, it seemed somewhat Pollyannish to move the Doomsday Clock an incremental four seconds. In my humble, unscientific opinion, considering what’s happened since January, the Doomsday Clock should be re-positioned at 30 seconds until midnight, because we live in an unprecedented, scary time.

That would be scary; just half a minute until doomsday.

TIME SET RE-DO