End of the world: MIT prediction from 1973 is proving true | Big Think

A place to start...the end.
https://bigthink.com/paul-ratner/in-1973-an-mit-computer-predicted-the-end-of-civilization-so-far-its-on-target

In 1973, an MIT computer predicted the end of civilization. So far, it's on target.

Paul Ratner

In 1973, a computer program was developed at MIT to model global sustainability. Instead, it predicted that by 2040 our civilization would end. While many in history have made apocalyptic predictions that have so far failed to materialize, what the computer envisioned in the 1970s has by and large been coming true. Could the machine be right? 

Why the program was created

The prediction, which recently re-appeared in Australian media, was made by a program dubbed World One. It was originally created by the computer pioneer Jay Forrester, who was commissioned by the Club of Rome to model how well the world could sustain its growth. The Club of Rome is an organization comprised of thinkers, former world heads of states, scientists, and UN bureaucrats with the mission to "promote understanding of the global challenges facing humanity and to propose solutions through scientific analysis, communication, and advocacy." 

The predictions

What World One showed was that by 2040 there would be a global collapse if the expansion of the population and industry was to continue at the current levels.

As reported by the Australian broadcaster ABC, the model's calculations took into account trends in pollution levels, population growth, the amount of natural resources and the overall quality of life on Earth. The model's predictions for the worsening quality of life and the dwindling natural resources have so far been unnervingly on target.

In fact, 2020 is the first milestone envisioned by World One. That's when the quality of life is supposed to drop dramatically. The broadcaster presented this scenario that will lead to the demise of large numbers of people:

"At around 2020, the condition of the planet becomes highly critical. If we do nothing about it, the quality of life goes down to zero. Pollution becomes so seriously it will start to kill people, which in turn will cause the population to diminish, lower than it was in the 1900. At this stage, around 2040 to 2050, civilised life as we know it on this planet will cease to exist."

Alexander King, the then-leader of the Club of Rome, evaluated the program's results to also mean that nation-states will lose their sovereignty, forecasting a New World Order with corporations managing everything.

"Sovereignty of nations is no longer absolute," King told ABC. "There is a gradual diminishing of sovereignty, little bit by little bit. Even in the big nations, this will happen."

How did the program work?

World One, the computer program, looked at the world as one system. The report called it "an electronic guided tour of our behavior since 1900 and where that behavior will lead us." The program produced graphs that showed what would happen to the planet decades into the future. It plotted statistics and forecasts for such variables as population, quality of life, the supply of natural resources, pollution, and more. Following the trend lines, one could see where the crises might take place.

Can we stave off disaster?

As one measure to prevent catastrophe, the Club of Rome predicted some nations like the U.S. would have to cut back on their appetites for gobbling up the world's resources. It hoped that in the future world, prestige would stem from "low consumption"—one fact that has so far not materialized. Currently, nine in ten people around the world breathe air that has high levels of pollution, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO). The agency estimates that 7 million deaths each year can be attributed to pollution.

Here, Parag Khanna gets into the specifics of what the world may be like in the near future, if we don't change course:

~A.

The Day - The Pequot Inn on Fishers Island is a summer staple - News from southeastern Connecticut

https://www.theday.com/food--drink/20180822/pequot-inn-on-fishers-island-is-summer-staple

The Pequot Inn on Fishers Island is a summer staple

Let's be honest, it's never been about the food at The Pequot.

Like many millennials who grew up locally, The Pequot Inn on Fishers Island has always been about the bar. More than 40 years ago, my generation was going there to catch the late-night last call, and our children, young adults today, are continuing the trend.

But I've been back several times over the recent decades to get a burger, or fish tacos, with friends after a day at the beach and was among the disappointed a couple years back when the place closed, albeit temporarily.

Since it reopened under new management, there's been a good buzz about The Pequot, and when I looked at the website and saw that the kitchen had been remodeled and new specials added to the menu, I was determined to get on a boat and visit Fishers Island.

That's the catch: you need a boat, or a friend with a boat, or have to be willing to take the Fishers Island Ferry out of New London to get to The Pequot. If you take the ferry, it's about a 20-minute walk from the dock to the restaurant, or you could call an Uber. The good news is, the ferry runs often and late.

The Pequot Inn (Ann Baldelli)

So is it worth the effort to get there? Like I said, it's never been about the food, but always the adventure, visiting The Pequot. We went on a recent weeknight, and the place was packed. In season, The Pequot is closed Tuesdays, but the week we went, it had closed Tuesday and Wednesday, and when we arrived about 6 p.m. Thursday, it appeared that every summer resident on Fishers Island was at The Pequot with their children.

Little kids were running everywhere, inside and out. There's ping pong and pool and Foosball tables, corn hole, and something called Tiki Toss, which, let me just tell you, don't get too close. But this review is supposed to be about the food, so let's forget the rambunctious kids and talk about what there is to eat.

The menu at The Pequot is limited, which I appreciate. It makes deciding what to have easy. There are a couple each of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, three featured entrees, and a half dozen wood-fired pizzas.

Despite the big crowd, we only had to wait a short time in the bar to get a table on the patio, so when we heard they were ready for us, we picked up our drinks, dodged the little ones, and headed outside.

Pequot Inn's steak frites (Ann Baldelli)

Our beverages included a house cocktail, the No Vacancy ($11), which was tequila, Campari, lime, and grapefruit juice. We asked the barkeep to hold the simple syrup, and the drink was refreshing and tasty. The other drinks were more standard, a can of Fishers Island Lemonade ($10) — someone had to get it since the beverage was created there — a can of Tecate ($6), and a Tito's and soda ($8).

Out on the patio, our waiter immediately asked if we were set on drinks and told us he'd be back shortly. And he was. We never got his name, but he was great. It was the kitchen, we believe, that wasn't up to snuff.

There were four of us, and we agreed to try as much on the menu as we could. We wanted the Buffalo wings ($12), but our waiter said they were out, so we opted instead for the Oysters Rockefeller ($12), which was a mistake. The oyster-eater at the table said the three small baked oysters with bacon creamed spinach, Pernod, and fontina cheese were the worst he ever had.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. All in all, the food was OK, our waiter outstanding, but the delivery of food abominable.

The Caesar salad with chicken ($17) came first. It was likely crisp romaine when it arrived, but it wilted by the time everyone else's dinner was served. It would be another 15 minutes after the salad before the oysters came out and then 10 minutes more after that before the Steak Frites ($26) was put on the table.

Another 10 minutes passed before the White Clam Pizza ($22) arrived, which was followed fairly quickly by the Double Smash Burger ($15). But the lonely Fish Tacos ($15) were delayed 10 more minutes, arriving close to an hour after the salad was served.

The waiter repeatedly apologized and said the usual chef was away and the kitchen "backed up." Our waiter was clearly frustrated and doing his best.

Here's the positive. The chicken on the salad was perfectly seasoned and cooked and tasty even after sitting waiting for the other dishes to arrive. Our steak-eater said his steak was very good and rare, just like he enjoys it, even after realizing that he was never asked by the waiter and never shared how he likes his beef cooked.

The burger, grass-fed black angus ground with bacon and served with cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles and a choice of salt and vinegar fries, sweet potato fries, or onion rings, was rated good, and the onion rings, especially good. It was the same with the frites that came with the steak. The steak came resting on a big bed of salt and vinegar fries with a bacon aioli, sautéed spinach and scallions. Every last fry was consumed.

The pizza was over cooked and could have had more toppings on it. "Too much crust," said our taco-eater, who may have been famished waiting for her plate to arrive.

Which brings us to the tacos. We are pretty sure the fish was cod, and they piled on guacamole, pico de gallo, pickled cabbage, and cumin lime crema. There were two on the plate, the fillings nested in double soft shells, but there was no pizzazz, and the dish a disappointment.

All in all, despite the slow delivery of our food, we will give The Pequot another try, and you should, too. The place is a summer staple that we believe we hit on an off night. Getting there is part of the fun, including the walk to The Pequot from private boat slips or the ferry, and you get to see some of the locals and the scenery.

It's great for people-watching as long as you dodge the kids. They've got all kinds of games and entertainment, music, a rocking chair made from lobster pot materials, Adirondack chairs for sitting and sipping, and a gentle breeze blowing across the patio.

And, it's the only game in town for non-residents. Originally built in 1901 as a boarding house for three grand hotels that were once on the island, today The Pequot is Fishers Island's only public bar and restaurant. If you go, make sure you have a way home after; they no longer lease rooms at The Pequot.

Adrienne L den Tex

adtmarin@aol.com