We’ve seen, read or heard some version of all of these: “The sky is falling … the sky is falling” … “The end is near” … “The world will end some time tomorrow.”
But shock and awe … I just learned we actually maintain a “Doomsday Clock.” And, we’re very serious about it!
And I’ve also discovered we can be seriously absurd about the topic of “Doomsday!”
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Predicting our end-of-time on earth isn’t a new guessing game.
The first record of our potential demise was in 66 AD when the Essene sect of Jewish ascetics stated that the Jewish revolt against the Romans in 66-70 (that’s a long revolt) was the “end-time” battle before the arrival of the Messiah.
The Essenes were so sure of this event, that they started the first ever memorabilia sale: collector’s coins depicting the redemption of Israel.
Too bad they didn’t come up with the first T-shirt in history!
Those wild and crazy ascetics were a bit off in their prediction … the Jews are still waiting for the arrival of their Messiah.
But, back then they didn’t have an atomic clock, computers … or Einstein!
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To help us with our “end-time” fetish … the guys who brought us atomic bombs, nuclear power, radiation and a wealth of other WMDs … have also given us “The Doomsday Clock.”
Yep, an official looking clock-face graphic kept on a wall at the U of Chicago … who doesn’t even have a football team … that is used by deep, deep thinkers to remind us just how precarious life on this planet is.
Among other factors used to “set their clock,” this cabal of wise guys primarily considers the threat of nuclear war … and since 2007, global warming.
Enter our new president, Trumplethinskin and guess what? This august group’s adjusted our “Tick-Tock” … downward!
What? There are folks out there who think “le Presidént d’Orange” lacks judgment and his serial midnight tweets are reasons to worry about our welfare?
Where were these folks during the past election? If FBI Director James Comey can jump face first into politics, then these guys sure as s**t could have spoken up.
C’mon, Guys!
Since its 1947 inception … set at seven whopping minutes to play with … the Doomsday Clock has been adjusted up or down, depending on “world conditions.”
The highest point of 17 minutes was achieved in 1991. Sadly, the Doomsday Clock fell to a new low of 2½ minutes this month.
But ever the optimist, give me 2½ minutes and I know I can have a lot of fun!
Just sayin’ …