2022 World Affairs Council of the Year
Network of Independent World Affairs Councils of America
Global Dialogue
July 26, 2017
“2017 Doomsday Clock: 2 1/2 Minutes to Midnight”
with Dr. Rachel Bronson, PhD
Executive Director & Publisher, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (Via Skype)
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Venue: Belmont University | MC 413 | Massey Business Center (#6 on map – link; parking garage P1 on map)
For the last two years, the minute hand of the Doomsday Clock stayed set at three minutes before the hour, the closest it had been to midnight since the early 1980s. In its two most recent annual announcements on the Clock, the Science and Security Board warned: “The probability of global catastrophe is very high, and the actions needed to reduce the risks of disaster must be taken very soon.” In 2017, we find the danger to be even greater, the need for action more urgent. It is two and a half minutes to midnight, the Clock is ticking, global danger looms. Wise public officials should act immediately, guiding humanity away from the brink. If they do not, wise citizens must step forward and lead the way.
Doomsday Clock Animation from www.thebulletin.org on Vimeo.
Dr. Rachel Bronson is the Executive Director and Publisher of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists where she oversees the publishing programs, the management of the Doomsday Clock, and a growing set of activities around nuclear weapons, nuclear energy, climate change and emerging technologies. Before joining the Bulletin, she served for eight years at The Chicago Council on Global Affairs in a number of capacities including: vice president of studies, vice president of programs and studies, and senior fellow, global energy.
Join your neighbors and Dr. Bronson (via Skype from Chicago) for an insightful conversation about the global issues that has led to the precarious global situation driving the setting of the Doomsday Clock.
Please review the suggested reading items to be better prepared to discuss this topic.
1 – Doomsday Clock Animation – “Know the Time” – Video
2 – The Doomsday Clock – A Timeline of Conflict, Culture and Change – Timeline
3 – “On the first July 4 of the Trump era, a declaration” – Analysis by John Mecklin
4 – Current issue: July 2017 Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Vol 73, Issue 4
5 – Open Letter to President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin – NTI
These questions and others will be used to guide our conversation.
1 – What were the origins of the “Doomsday Clock” and what did its creators hope to achieve?
2 – How has the “Doomsday Clock” evolved in its 70-plus years of ticking?
3 – Why did the “Doomsday Clock” advance to 2 1/2 minutes to midnight in January 2017?
4 – What are the trendiness for the threats that go into “Doomsday Clock” calculations — nuclear, climate, bio threats, emerging dangers, etc.?
2017 Doomsday Clock Announcement from www.thebulletin.org on Vimeo.
About the World Affairs Council’s Global Dialogue program.
Welcome to Global Dialogue — a program of the Tennessee World Affairs Council that offers a casual but structured discussion session for people to share their perspectives on current issues in global developments. Learn about these informative sessions and check the calendar (below) with links to individual discussion group details and registration information.
Why: Global Dialogue is a community discussion program organized by the Tennessee World Affairs Council. The purpose is to bring people together to learn more about the pressing international issues of the day, to exchange insights and perspectives and to achieve an understanding about the challenges facing America in the world.
How: Global Dialogue sessions are informal, salon-like gatherings held in areas convenient to the participants — downtown coffee shops, library meeting rooms, classrooms at colleges and schools. Participants review materials assembled on the www.TNWAC.org web site in advance of the session to be prepared to engage in conversation with their neighbors and colleagues. Sessions are facilitated by a group leader, and may include a specialist to provide background and context, but the Global Dialogue sessions will ensure everyone gets to share their views of the issues.
Register for the sessions on the topic page — links on the World Affairs Council calendar.
When: Global Dialogue sessions will meet about once a month at a regular date/time/venue. Participants can go to as many different meetings in the same month as they choose. We anticipate having a monthly session on the Belmont University campus. Additional Global Dialogue sessions will be scheduled depending on demand.
Where: Global Dialogue session venues currently include the Belmont University campus. They have included coffee shops and libraries in downtown Nashville and the Green Hills area. Additional locations may be added in coming months depending on demand. Check back for details.
Who: Global Dialogue sessions are designed for the community to get together and share their perspective on important global issues. They are not limited to specialists or people with international affairs backgrounds. The Tennessee World Affairs Councils encourages local groups to get together, with or without Council coordination, under the rubric of Global Dialogue sessions, wherever is most convenient. Contact the council at programs@tnwac.org for materials and tips. Participants in council organized Global Dialogue sessions will be encouraged to become members of the Tennessee World Affairs Council after attending their initial event.
What: Here is the calendar for upcoming Global Dialogue sessions including links to the program materials for each topic. Check back up through the evening of the session for updates.
To be updated on schedule changes make sure you’re on our email list: LINK TO SUBSCRIBE
The Tennessee World Affairs Council is a nonprofit (501c3), nonpartisan educational charity based in Nashville that works to build understanding of global issues in our communities. Learn more about the Council and find how you can join, donate and volunteer at: www.TNWAC.org —
