BulletinOfTheAtomic

The Doomsday Clock is a blunt instrument that summarizes an extremely complex situation. We chose a simple and accessible symbol to try to effectively convey our concern for the fate of humanity. As you say, some of the threats are short term, and some are longer term. We attempt to factor all of these into the setting of the Clock, and detail our reasoning in the Clock statement which accompanies the announcement of the time. -DH

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the NPT and we’re quite concerned about it. In the news conference we held in DC on Thursday 1/23, Sharon Squassoni highlighted this debate in her remarks. We are concerned that the NPT is not keeping up with 21st century challenges, and that support for TPNW doesn’t include those states that have nuclear weapons. This is one reason we do not think the current nuclear environment is safer this year compared to years before. -RB

The Doomsday Clock has moved forward and backward, as far away as 17 minutes to midnight and as close to 100 seconds, where it is now. We’ve moved it back for major arms control agreements, agreements between the US and Russians that take their weapons off hair trigger alert, steps taken between nuclear powers like India and Pakistan to reduce the threat of a nuclear exchange, and other steps that we believe would make us safer. Take a look at our report here for additional suggestions. We would move it back for major global commitments to reduce climate emissions, and clear agreements or technologies put in place to reduce them. -RB

It’s quite tough actually, and we talk about it regularly. To date, our feeling has been to set the time, based on what we know, our judgement of the current state of affairs, and the trajectories we see. -RB

Absolutely, but also the Smashing Pumpkins’ “Doomsday Clock” and Hozier’s “Wasteland, Baby!” which was inspired by the clock.Hozier talks about it here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ewx3j7SakawUnrelated: Neko Case is pretty awesome, too. And Smashing Pumpkins are from Chicago, just sayin’.

-RB