A startling prediction made nearly 65 years ago by American scientist Heinz von Foerster is once again drawing attention.
According to his calculations, the world is set to end next year on Friday, November 13, 2026.
In 1960, von Foerster published a paper suggesting that the unchecked growth of the human population would lead to the world’s end. He calculated that this specific date would be the moment when the human population reaches a mathematical “singularity,” or an infinite limit.
He suggested that the human race would ultimately be destroyed either by the sheer burden of overpopulation or would self-destruct through nuclear war or other dangerous methods.
Von Foerster proposed a path to avert this catastrophe: taking steps to control population growth. He suggested measures such as imposing heavy taxes on families with many children could potentially prevent the predicted disaster.
It is important to note that von Foerster’s prediction was based on a mathematical model showing that if the population rate continued to increase as it had over the previous two millennia, it would hit an infinite point in 2026.
However, experts also suggest that von Foerster’s primary objective in setting this date was to alert the world to the dangers of unchecked population growth.
Some reports also mention that the date of November 13 might have been included partially as a humorous reference, as it was von Foerster’s birthday.
This prediction has once again ignited important discussions regarding sustainability, resource management, and
