In the early 1970s, researchers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) predicted that civilization would likely collapse by 2040. The humanity’s pursuit of economic growth without regard for environmental and society costs would lead to society collapsing by the mid 21st century – a new study finds this may become a reality.
The new study looked at 10 key variables, such as population, industrial output and persistent pollution, and determined our business-as-usual mentality will spark a decline of economic growth within the next decade.
MIT made their prediction using a computer program called World1 and looked back as far as 1900 and all the way up to 2060.
The researcher found the data from the world simulation program aligns with two particular scenarios, ‘BAU2’ (business-as-usual) and ‘CT’ (comprehensive technology). ‘BAU2 and CT scenarios show a halt in growth within a decade or so from now,’ reads the study.
Douglas Murray responds to research saying civilization will end this Century: ‘Futurology’ has flawed history
Author says ‘futurology’ is flawed because the future is affected by advances and changes to the status quo.
Author and sociological commentator Douglas Murray reacted Tuesday to newly reported research declaring that Earth’s civilization will end sometime in the 21st Century, if not the next 20 years.
Murray, author of the “Madness of Crowds,” said the 1970s was famous for having competing scholarly studies that drew complete opposite conclusions.
“Studies claimed that by now we would all be freezing to death or boiling to death. ’70s studies said by now the world was going to be overpopulated and under-populated. There was going to be a scramble for water — the last remaining drops – and also that we were also going to be drowning in the stuff,” he said.
