On January 23, the Apocalypse Bell will pronounce judgment 2024. The Doomsday Clock is a symbolic clock that shows how close the world is to a man-made global catastrophe, experts believe. Every year the clock is updated based on how close we are to the total destruction of humanity, known as ‘midnight’.

Every January, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists unveils its annual update of the Doomsday Clock, even when the hands have not moved. As the clock moves forward and approaches midnight (compared to the time set the year before), it suggests that humanity has come closer to self-destruction. But going back further than midnight, it suggests that humanity has reduced the risk of global catastrophe over the past twelve months.

Since last year, the Doomsday Clock has been set to 90 seconds before midnight or the apocalypse. With the war between Israel and Hamas, the conflict in Ukraine and climate disasters, the hand is likely to continue. This could change this Tuesday. The event starts at 10 a.m. and will be broadcast on YouTube.

When was this watch made?

The Doomsday Clock dates back to June 1947, when American artist Martyl Langsdorf was hired to design a new cover for the magazine Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. With a striking image on the cover, the organization hoped to “incite humanity to respond,” said Eugene Rabinowitch, the magazine’s first editor. (JO)