BAS was in fact founded in 1945 by scientists involved in the Manhattan Project, which developed the first nuclear weapons during World War II. Since then, BAS has been dedicated to highlighting scientific and global security issues related to technological advances, especially in the field of nuclear weapons.

The Doomsday Clock, a BAS initiative, was designed in 1947 to symbolically represent the threat of global catastrophe, especially related to nuclear war. The position of the clock’s hands is adjusted annually by the BAS Science and Security Council, reflecting experts’ assessment of the likelihood of an imminent global catastrophe. The clock’s midnight symbolises the extinction of humanity.

This is an important reminder of the role that technology, especially nuclear technology, plays in our society and the serious consequences that can result from its inappropriate use or from global conflicts. The Doomsday Clock serves as a constant warning to humanity about the urgent need to work to prevent such catastrophes and to seek global peace and cooperation.

Squeezed to death

The Austrian-American physicist mentioned in your description appears to be Heinz von Foerster, who was indeed a renowned scientist known for his contributions to cybernetics and systems theory. His ideas about population growth and the challenges associated with it reflect real concerns about the limits to growth and the environmental and social impacts of overpopulation.

The issue of population growth and its effects on natural resources, the environment and society is a complex and relevant topic for our time. The increase in global population throughout the 20th century, as you mentioned, is a significant phenomenon that presents challenges for sustainability and quality of life on the planet.

While there are differing perspectives on how to address these challenges, many agree that the global population issue is intrinsically linked to issues such as food security, access to natural resources, climate change and social justice. Finding ways to balance population growth with sustainable development is essential to ensuring a viable future for humanity and the planet as a whole.