A computer at MIT, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, predicted the end of the world as we know it. Although its prediction was not based on the new Artificial Intelligence, it was made in 1973, i.e. 50 years ago. It was a mathematical model, World One, created in the 1970s by an engineer at the prestigious institute of technology. According to his predictions, the collapse of humanity will come in the 2040s, although the first catastrophes will begin in 2020.
The end of the world was predicted in the 1970s.
The 1970s was a very unique decade. It is there that the great technological advances began. Also the development in medicine was proposing a longer life for humans, which came to fruition.
However, in that decade many were concerned about the future. Some of these advances showed an alarming disregard for the care of the planet. The problem of sustainability goes back many decades.
It was at that time, when four MIT students used a mathematical model. Jay Wright Forrester created it and called it World1. They modified the model to transform it into World3, at the request of the Club of Rome. Originally, the idea was to predict how the planet would resist the advance of humanity with the Earth’s finite resources.
Using this mathematical model, it was shown that humanity would reach a collapse in the 2040s.
On what basis was this conclusion reached?
The model was based on the steady growth of industry and population with 1970 levels. The computer took into account population growth, environmental pollution, availability of natural resources and the quality of life of the inhabitants.
Although the model generated by MIT is not that far from reality, the scientists claim that the computer took the world as a computer program. The prediction is based on statistical data.
The results of this study, were published in the book The Limits of Growth, signed by the four MIT students, who were themselves students of Forrester. The latter engineer is considered the father of system dynamics.
At the time of its publication, the model was criticized and even accused of inaccuracy. However, the passage of time has given it some credibility. Climate change and the 2020 pandemic are undeniable hits.
In perspective, the depletion of natural resources and shortages of water and food, may spell the end of the world. In addition to increasing pollution, climate change and human carelessness. It is likely that the World One model has a point.
