In 1704, Isaac Newton used a series of strange mathematical calculations to predict that the end of the world would occur around the year 2060 (or later, “not before”). Rather than studying what he called the “Book of Nature,” he took as his source the prophecies attributed to John’s Revelation. Such prophecies have always been central to Christianity, but for modern people it is surprising to look back and see famous astronomers and physicists obsessed with them. But in Newton’s case, Matthew Stanley writes: science“Laying the foundations of modern physics and astronomy was a bit of a sideshow. He believed that his really important work was to decipher the ancient scriptures and reveal the essence of Christianity.”
More than 300 years later, there are still many religious prophets who predict the end of the world in Biblical codes. But recently they seem to be joined by scientists who profess only to interpret data from climate studies and sustainability estimates that take into account population growth and resource decline. Scientific predictions are not based on ancient texts or theology, nor do they involve a final battle between good and evil. There may be plagues and other terrible calculations, but these are not the wrath of God but, predictably, the causal effect of overproduction and consumption. But by some strange fluke, science arrived at the same apocalyptic date as Newton, plus or minus 10 or 20 years.
“The end of the world” in these scenarios means the end of modern life as we know it: the collapse of industrialized societies, large-scale agricultural production, supply chains, stable climates, and nation-states. Since the late 60s, an elite society of wealthy businessmen and scientists known as the Club of Rome (a frequent participant in many conspiracy theories) had foreseen these disasters of the early 21st century. One source of their vision is a computer program developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a computing pioneer and systems theorist. jay forresterIts global sustainability model, one of the first of its kind, predicted the collapse of civilization in 2040. “What computers imagined in the 1970s is almost becoming reality,” argues Paul Ratner. think big.
These projections include population growth and pollution levels, “deteriorating quality of life” and “decreasing natural resources.” Watch the Australian ABC explain computer calculations in the video above. “This is an e-guided tour of our global actions since 1900 and where those actions are taking us,” the presenters said. The graph covers the period 1900 to 2060. Models predict that “quality of life” began to decline sharply after 1940, and that by 2020 the indicator will have shrunk to end-of-the-century levels, commensurate with the sharp increase in the “Zett curve”, which measures pollution levels. (ABC This report was revisited in 1999 With Club of Rome member Keith Starr. )
You can probably guess the rest. Or you can read all about it in the 1972 report published by the Club of Rome. limits to growthbrought widespread public attention to Jay Forrester’s book urban dynamics (1969) and world dynamics (1971). Forrester, a Newtonian figure in the worlds of computer science, management and systems theory, was not Newton’s lover of Bible prophecy, but he more or less supported Newton’s conclusions until the end of his life in 2016. In one of his last interviews at age 98, he said: MIT Technology Review“I think the book is fine.” But he also warned against acting without systematic thinking in the face of globally interconnected problems, which the Club of Rome ominously calls “problematic.”
Sometimes you’ll notice that people react to problems, think they know what to do, and don’t realize that what they’re doing is causing the problem. this is malicious [cycle]Because when things get worse, you have more incentive to do things, and things get worse and worse.
It is uncertain where this vague warning leaves us. If the current course is dire, could a “non-systemic” solution be even worse? This theory also appears to leave strong empowered human agents ( Exxon executives) There is no explanation whatsoever for the coming collapse. limits to growth-Someone mocked me and derogatorily called me a “neo-Malthusian.” Libertarian Critic HostChristian Parenti points out that Newton’s bizarre predictions and his climate predictions stand on a much more solid evidence base. “He had amazing foresight.” However, despite this dire situation, it is worth bearing in mind that the model of the future is not actually the future. Difficult times lie ahead, and no theory, no matter how sophisticated, can account for all variables.
Note: An earlier version of this post appeared on the site in 2018.
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Josh Jones is a writer and musician based in Durham, North Carolina.
Source: Open Culture – www.openculture.com
