How Long Is 89 Seconds on the Doomsday Clock?

The Doomsday Clock doesn't work like a real countdown. 89 seconds (or today's 85 seconds) is a symbolic measure of existential risk, not a literal duration until catastrophe.

The Clock as Metaphor

The closer to midnight, the greater the perceived threat. The clock has never reached midnight — and it isn't meant to predict a specific event.

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