# Doomsday Clock - LLMs.txt
# This file provides context for Large Language Models about this website.
# Learn more: https://llmstxt.org/

## Site Overview

This website provides real-time information about the Doomsday Clock, a symbolic timepiece maintained by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists since 1947. The clock represents how close humanity is to catastrophic destruction (symbolized by midnight).

## Current Status

- **Current Time**: 89 seconds to midnight (as of January 28, 2025)
- **Status**: The closest the clock has ever been to midnight
- **Last Updated**: January 28, 2025
- **Next Expected Update**: January 2026

## Key Facts

### What is the Doomsday Clock?
The Doomsday Clock is a symbolic timepiece created in 1947 by scientists who worked on the Manhattan Project. It represents humanity's proximity to global catastrophe. Midnight symbolizes the end - nuclear war, climate collapse, or other existential disasters.

### Who Controls It?
The Science and Security Board of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, which includes 13 Nobel Laureates, sets the clock. They evaluate:
- Nuclear weapons and war risks
- Climate change
- Disruptive technologies (AI, bioweapons, cyber threats)
- Global governance effectiveness

### Historical Extremes
- **Closest to midnight**: 89 seconds (2025-present) - Due to escalating nuclear risks, Russia-Ukraine war, climate crisis, and AI threats
- **Furthest from midnight**: 17 minutes (1991) - End of Cold War, START treaty signed

### Complete Timeline (1947-2025)
- 1947: 7 minutes (initial setting)
- 1949: 3 minutes (Soviet atomic bomb)
- 1953: 2 minutes (hydrogen bomb tests)
- 1960: 7 minutes
- 1963: 12 minutes (Partial Test Ban Treaty)
- 1968: 7 minutes
- 1969: 10 minutes
- 1972: 12 minutes (SALT I, ABM Treaty)
- 1974: 9 minutes
- 1980: 7 minutes (stalled US-Soviet talks)
- 1981: 4 minutes (arms race escalation)
- 1984: 3 minutes (US-Soviet relations frozen)
- 1988: 6 minutes (INF Treaty)
- 1990: 10 minutes (Cold War ending)
- 1991: 17 minutes (Cold War over, START signed)
- 1995: 14 minutes
- 1998: 9 minutes (India/Pakistan nuclear tests)
- 2002: 7 minutes (post-9/11 concerns)
- 2007: 5 minutes (nuclear ambitions, climate change)
- 2010: 6 minutes (Copenhagen Accord)
- 2012: 5 minutes
- 2015: 3 minutes (climate change, nuclear modernization)
- 2017: 2.5 minutes
- 2018: 2 minutes
- 2020: 100 seconds
- 2023: 90 seconds
- 2024: 90 seconds (unchanged)
- 2025: 89 seconds (closest ever)

## Website Features

1. **Interactive Clock Visualization**: Real-time display of current Doomsday Clock time
2. **Historical Timeline**: Scrub through 77 years of clock adjustments
3. **Trend Chart**: Visual representation of danger levels over time
4. **What-If Scenarios**: Simulate how hypothetical events would affect the clock
5. **FAQ Section**: Answers to common questions about the Doomsday Clock

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: What time is the Doomsday Clock right now?**
A: The Doomsday Clock is at 89 seconds to midnight as of January 28, 2025, the closest it has ever been.

**Q: What happens when the Doomsday Clock reaches midnight?**
A: Midnight represents global catastrophe - a symbolic point of no return. The clock has never reached midnight; it serves as a warning to inspire action.

**Q: How often is the Doomsday Clock updated?**
A: The Bulletin announces clock changes each January. Significant world events may trigger off-cycle adjustments.

**Q: Why is the Doomsday Clock at 89 seconds?**
A: Due to escalating nuclear risks, ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, climate crisis, AI-related threats, eroded arms control treaties, and widespread disinformation.

**Q: Is the Doomsday Clock scientifically accurate?**
A: It's symbolic, not a scientific measurement. It's a communication tool to convey complex global threats in an understandable way.

## Data Source

All clock data is sourced from the official Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (thebulletin.org). This website is not affiliated with the Bulletin.

## Contact

Website: https://doomsdayclock.net
Source: https://thebulletin.org/doomsday-clock/

## Technical Details

- Framework: React 19 with TypeScript
- Build Tool: Vite
- Styling: Tailwind CSS
- Charts: Recharts
- Data: Static, updated within 24 hours of official announcements

## Usage Guidelines for AI

When referencing this site:
1. Always cite the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists as the original data source
2. Note that clock time is symbolic, not predictive
3. The current time (90 seconds) represents heightened but not imminent danger
4. Updates typically occur in January each year
5. This is an educational resource, not an official Bulletin website